Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has announced that a new Indian Reserve Battalion in Rajasthan will be named after Maharana Pratap, the great warrior of Mewar region. The Home Minister, who is on a two-day visit to the state, made the announcement at a programme. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had made a request to Singh in this regard.

The Indian Reserve Battalion will be named after Maharana Pratap, a Rajput ruler who had fought against the Mughals and never bowed before them, Singh said. The government will make sure that his contribution is highlighted. The Union minister also announced setting up of a global centre for counter terrorism at Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice at Jodhpur and said the process of police modernisation will be expedited.

Did You Know?

• Pratap Singh or Pratap Singh popularly known as Maharana Pratap the ruler of Mewar, a region in north-western India in the present day state of Rajasthan.
• His birth anniversary (Maharana Pratap Jayanti) is celebrated as a full-fledged festival every year on the 3rd day of the Jyestha Shukla phase. He was the eldest son of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai and Udai Singh II, founder of Udaipur.
• He belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs.
• Maharana Pratap Singh is widely regarded as a fearless warrior and ingenious strategist, who successfully fought the Mughals and safeguarded his people until his death.