khwja

Khwaja, also transliterated as khwāja or khāwjā, is an honorific title used in Persianate and Muslim societies to acknowledge a person of learning, wealth, or spiritual authority. The term derives from Persian خواجه (khwāja) and is related to Arabic terms for master or lord. In historical usage, khwaja was applied to scholars, patrons, merchants, and especially Sufi saints, and it often appears as part of a person’s name or as a standalone title.

In the Indian subcontinent, Iran, Central Asia, and Anatolia, the title served both secular and religious functions. It signified respect for leaders, teachers, and notable figures within Sufi orders. Notable individuals associated with the title include Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the founder of the Chishti Order in India, and Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, a prominent Delhi-based Sufi saint. Shrines and historical records frequently preserve the title in their references to these figures.

Today, khwaja persists as a cultural and social signifier. It remains common as a given name or surname in parts of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia, and it appears in variants such as Khwāja, Khawaja, and related spellings. The usage reflects a tradition of honorifics that acknowledge status, learning, or spiritual distinction, continuing to influence naming practices and social address in contemporary communities.