maharajah

or ma·ha·ra·ja

[ mah-huh-rah-juh, -zhuh ]

noun

1. (formerly) a ruling prince in India, especially of one of the major states.

maharajah

/ ˌmɑːhəˈrɑːdʒə /

noun

1. any of various Indian princes, esp any of the rulers of the former native states

Word History and Origins

Origin of maharajah¹

1690–1700; < Hindi mahārājā great king, equivalent to mahā- great + rājā rajah

Word History and Origins

Origin of maharajah¹

C17: Hindi, from mahā great + rajah

Example Sentences

Air India, with its maharajah mascot, was once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service, but its reputation declined in the mid-2000s as financial troubles mounted.

From Reuters

She attended a number of receptions and spent two days at a hunting lodge of a maharajah and rode an elephant.

From BBC

Pharaohs, Celtic rulers, Roman emperors and maharajahs adorned themselves in beaded collars, semicircular metallic torcs, gold pendants and gem-encrusted chains to communicate power and class.

From New York Times

This infuriated the landlords and maharajahs who presided over a feudal hierarchy that relied on exploiting lower-caste labor.

From New York Times

Air India, with its maharajah mascot, was once renowned for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service championed by the airline’s founder, JRD Tata, India’s first commercial pilot.

From Reuters

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
• shah
• sultan