Rajah
/ˈrɑːdʒə/noun
A ruler or prince, especially in South Asia; an Indian prince or chief.
Did you know?Rajah comes from the same ancient Indo-European root as Latin rex and English regal, all linked to the idea of ruling and kingship.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃reǵ-
“to straighten, direct; later, to rule”
Ancient Indic
Sanskrit
rājan-
“king, ruler”
Prakrit
Prakrit
rāya
“king”
Hindi/Urdu
Indo-Aryan
rājā
“king, prince, ruler”
17th Century
English
rajah
“an Indian prince or chief, especially in the context of British colonial usage”
Modern English
English
rajah
“a ruler or prince in South Asia”