This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2017) |
Maharaja (/ˌmɑː(h)əˈrɑːdʒə/[1] MAH-(h)ə-RAH-jə; also spelled Maharajah or Maharaj) is a Sanskrit title for a "great ruler", "great king", or "high king".[2]
The title was used by the rulers of a few states informally called empires, including Raja Sri Gupta, founder of the ancient Indian Gupta Empire; and Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya Empire.[3] 'Title inflation' soon led to most being rather mediocre or even petty in real power, which led to compound titles (among other efforts) being used in an attempt to distinguish some among their ranks.
The female equivalent, Maharani, Maharanee, Mahārājñī or Maharajin, literally 'Great Queen', denotes either the wife of a Maharaja (or Maharana, Maharao, Maharawal) or also, in states where it was customary, a woman ruling without a husband. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata, "queen mother".[4] Maharajakumar generally denotes a son of a Maharaja, but more specific titulatures are often used at each court, including Yuvaraja for the heir (the crown prince). 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.
... Literally Maharaja means 'a great king' ...
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search