Raja

For other uses, see Raja (disambiguation).

"Rajah" redirects here. For other uses, see Rajah (disambiguation).

A Raja (Sanskrit: राजा (rājā), also spelled Rajah) is a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna.

The title has a long history in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, as it is found in the Rigveda. It can also be used as a name for non-royal Indians. In Pakistan, Raja is still used by many Muslim Rajput clans as hereditary titles. Raja is also used as a name by Hindus and Sikhs.

Rajas in the Malay world

• The ruler of the state of Perlis, Malaysia is titled the Raja of Perlis. Most of the other state rulers are titled Sultans. But the Raja has equal status with the other rulers and is one of the electors who designate one of their number as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong every five years.

Related pages

• Maharaja
• Kshatriya
• Rajput
• Shah

Other websites

• Indian Princely States, the most comprehensive, specialised site on (princely) (e)states in British India
• RoyalArk (more elaborate, on a smaller number of dynasties)- here India
• WorldStatesmen- Indian princely states, here K-Z