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Where does the word "maharajah" come from? It comes from Sanskrit maha-raja, passing through Hindi before entering English (1800s).
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Where does the word "maharajah" come from? It comes from Sanskrit maha-raja, passing through Hindi before entering English (1800s).
Maharajah’s story begins in Sanskrit: maha-raja meant “great king.” Literally "great king". By medieval, the word had taken hold in Hindi as maharaja. A title used by major Indian ruling princes. It reached English by 1800s as maharajah. British India recognized over 500 princely states, many ruled by maharajas. Today, maharajah means a title for a major ruling prince in India.
- Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient maha-raja "great king", literally "great king".
- Stage 2 · Hindi · medieval maharaja "a great king or prince", a title used by major Indian ruling princes.
- Stage 3 · English · 1800s maharajah "a major Indian prince or ruler", British India recognized over 500 princely states, many ruled by maharajas.