Raja
/ˈrɑː.dʒə/noun
A king or prince in India, especially in historical contexts.
Did you know?The term 'Raja' derives from Sanskrit, where it signifies not just a king but also a protector and a moral guide for the people, embodying divine authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*rḗg-
“to rule, to lead, to set straight”
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
राजा (rājā)
“a king, sovereign, or ruler, often seen as a divine leader”
Prakrit
Prakrit
रज (raja)
“a ruler or chief, emerging from the Sanskrit term”
Old Persian
Old Persian
𐎼𐎡𐎴 (xšāyaθiya)
“a king or ruler, related through the shared concept of governance”
Modern English
English
Raja
“the term for a king or prince adopted into English from colonial influences.”