maharaja

noun

1. (formerly) a ruling prince in India, especially of one of the major states.

noun

1. any of various Indian princes, esp any of the rulers of the former native states

n.also maharaja, 1690s, from Hindi, “great king,” from Sanskrit maha “great” (from PIE root *meg- “great;” see magnate) + rajan “king” (see rajah). The fem. equivalent is maharani (1855).