Maharaja

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Maharaja^[a] (also spelled Maharajah or Maharaj; lit. 'great ruler' or 'great king'^[2][3]) is a Hindu and Sikh^[4] princely title ranked in honour below a Maharajadhiraja and above a Raja. The title referred to a prince during the British rule in India and in medieval northern India, but was equivalent to a 'Great King' in medieval southern India and in late ancient India.^[5]

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".^[5] Eventually, during the medieval era, the title "Maharaja" came to be used by vassal kings. The title "Maharajadhiraja" was used by sovereign kings. Eventually, during the Mughal and British eras. Maharajadhiraja too came to be used by vassals, though it was used by sovereign kings as well, such as the King of Nepal.

The title ranks below the princely titles of Maharajadhiraja Bahadur, Maharajadhiraja and Maharaja Bahadur, equal to Maharana and Maharao and above Raja Bahadur, Raja and Rai.

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