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Maharaja[a] (also spelled Maharajah or Maharaj; lit. 'great ruler'; feminine: Maharani)[2] is an Indian princely title of Sanskrit origin. In modern India and medieval northern India, the title was equivalent to a prince. However in late ancient India and medieval south India, the title denoted a king.[3]
The form "Maharaj" (without "-a") indicates a separation of noble and religious offices, although since in Hindi the suffix -a is silent, the two titles are near homophones. Historically, the title "Maharaja" was first introduced in the first century BC by the Kushans as a higher ranking variant of "Raja".[3] Eventually, during the medieval era, the title "Maharaja" came to be used by sovereign princes and vassal princes, and the title "Maharajadhiraja" was used by sovereign kings. Eventually, during the Mughal and British eras, Maharajadhiraja too came to be used by princes, though it was used by sovereign kings as well, such as the King of Nepal.
The title ranks under the titles of Maharajadhiraja Bahadur, Maharajadhiraja and Maharaja Bahadur, equal to Maharana and Maharao and above Raja Bahadur, Raja and Rai.
- ^ "Maharaja". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Tej Ram Sharma (1989). A. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 81-7022-251-6.
... Literally Maharaja means 'a great king' ...
- ^ a b "Maharaja | Hindu title". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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