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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
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Your support makes all the difference.In the 1820s, a quick-witted 26-year-old Scotsman was despatched to the Maharajah of Lahore with the odd gift of four drayhorses (taken for peculiar elephants when they landed).
Familiar with India from the age of 16, Burnes was actually spying out the terrain and resources of kingdoms adjoining British territory. The wealth of these rulers was indicated by one princely bauble: the Koh-I-Noor subsequently became an adornment of our own royal family. His later ventures into Afghanistan demonstrated that the perils this spartan land presents to incomers are nothing new.
Burnes published an account of his mission, which became an instant bestseller. For visitors to India and armchair travellers alike, Burnes remains a most personable companion.
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