Maharaj

Maharaj is an honorific title used in the Indian subcontinent, derived from the Sanskrit words maha- meaning “great” and raja meaning “king.” It is employed as a respectful form of address for rulers, saints, and other esteemed figures. The longer title Maharaja, literally “great king,” is closely related, and in many contexts Maharaj is used as a more informal or devotional variant of the same idea.

Use and context have varied across time and regions. In historical and imperial settings, maharaj was applied to rulers of princely states and to certain dynastic leaders, often appearing in inscriptions and chronicles. In many languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Nepali, Maharaj can function as a standalone honorific or as part of a longer royal or ceremonial title such as Maharajadhiraja, meaning “great king of kings.”

Beyond royal contexts, the term is also employed as a respectful address for spiritual teachers, gurus, and revered figures within Hinduism, Sikhism, and other religious traditions. In modern usage, the title remains common in ceremonial and cultural references, though official recognition of princely titles largely ended with the mid-20th century political changes in the region. Today, Maharaj retains its status as a traditional honorific that signals respect and esteem rather than a legally defined rank.