Raja
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A Raja (sometimes spelled Rajah) is a king, or princely ruler. The female equivalent is Rani (sometimes spelled Ranee). Raja comes from the Sanskrit word rājan, and is cognate to the Latin rex.
The title has a long history in the Indian subcontinent. Some rulers would give themselves the title as a means to increase prestige among their subjects. The word maharaja connotes a raja who has conquered other rajas, thus becoming a great ruler. Variants include Rana, Rao, Raol Rawal, and Rawat.
In South India, the title of the Hindu emperor of Vijayanagar, instead of raja, was called raya. Raja is used in India to distinguish a Hindu king from a Muslim Nawab or Shah, and still is commonly used in India. Elsewhere it does not have the same religious suggestion.
The ruler of the Malaysian state of Perlis is to this day known as the Raja of Perlis. The White Rajahs of Sarawak in Borneo were James Brooke and his dynasty.
Chiefs in the Pre-Hispanic Philippines were also called Raja.id:Raja ja:ラージャ he:רג'ה fr:râja