Raja (; from IAST ) is a noble or royal Sanskrit title historically used by some Indian rulers, monarchs, and highest-ranking nobles. The title was historically used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The title has a long history in South Asia and Southeast Asia, being attested from the Rigveda, where a is a ruler, see for example the , the "Battle of Ten Kings".
The title has equivalent cognates in other Indo-European languages, notably the Latin Rex and the Celtic Rix.
The Maratha title "Rao" (or "Rao") functions as both a given name and an honorific title. Derived from words like the Sanskrit "Rājā" meaning "king," it is associated with the Kshatriya varna and can be considered a Kshatriya title.
Raja-ruled Indian states
While most of the Indian salute states (those granted a gun salute by the British Crown) were ruled by a Maharaja (or variation; some promoted from an earlier Raja- or equivalent style), even exclusively from 13 guns up, a number had Rajas:
Hereditary salutes of 13-guns
the Raja of Benares the Raja of Nabha Hereditary salutes of 11-gun the Raja of Sathasi Raj the Raja of Raigarh the Raja of Ali Rajpur the Raja of Bilaspur the Raja of Chamba the Raja of Faridkot the Raja of Jhabua the Raja of Mandi the Raja of Manipur the Raja of Narsinghgarh the Raja of Pudukkottai the Raja of Rajgarh the Raja of Sangli the Raja of Sailana the Raja of Samthar the Raja of Sitamau the Raja of Suket
Hereditary salutes of 9-guns (11-guns personal) the Raja of Dharampur the Raja of Bhor
Hereditary salute of 9-guns (11-guns local) the Raja of Savantwadi
Hereditary salutes of 9-guns the Raja of Baraundha the Raja of Jawhar Hereditary salute of 9-guns the Raja of Chhota Udepur the Raja of Khilchipur the Raja of Maihar the Raja of Mudhol the Raja of Nagod the Raja of Sant the Raja of Shahpura
Personal salute of 9-guns the Raja of Bashahr
List of Rajas in Bali
Rajas of Gelgel Warmadewa Dynasty Śri Kesari Warmadewa (fl. 914) Ugrasena (fl. 915–942) Tabanendra Warmadewa (fl. 955–967) Indrajayasingha Warmadewa (co-regent, fl. 960) Janasadhu Warmadewa (fl. 975) Śri Wijaya Mahadewi (queen, fl. 983) Gunapriya Dharmapatni (queen, before 989–1007) Dharma Udayana Warmadewa (fl. 989–1011) [husband] Śri Ajñadewi (queen, fl. 1016) Dharmawangsa Wardhana Marakatapangkaja (fl. 1022–1025) [son of Dharma Udayana] Airlangga (c. 1025–1042; King in Java from 1019) [brother] Anak Wungçu (fl. 1049–1077) [brother] Śri Maharaja Walaprabhu (between 1079 and 1088) Śri Maharaja Sakalendukirana Laksmidhara Wijayottunggadewi (queen, fl. 1088–1101) Śri Suradhipa (fl. 1115–1119) Jaya Dynasty Śri Jayaśakti (fl. 1133–1150) Ragajaya (fl. 1155) Jayapangus (fl. 1178–1181) Arjayadengjayaketana (queen, fl. 1200) Haji Ekajayalancana (co-regent fl. 1200) [son] Bhatara Guru Śri Adikuntiketana (fl. 1204) Adidewalancana (fl. 1260) Queen of Bali, name unknown (?–1284) – in 1284, Kertanegara attacked Bali and captured the queen of Bali Singasari subjugates Bali 1284 Rajapatih Makakasar Kebo Parud (Governor, fl. 1296–1300) Native rulers reemergence Mahaguru Dharmottungga Warmadewa (before 1324–1328) Walajayakertaningrat (1328-?) [son] Śri Astasura Ratna Bumi Banten (fl. 1332–1337) Majapahit conquers Bali 1343
Dynasty of Samprangan and Gelgel Sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan (14th century or c. 1471?; King of Bali in Samprangan) Vassalage under Majapahit 1343-c. 1527 Dalem Samprangan (14th century or c. 1502?) [son] Dalem Ketut (late 14th century or c. 1520?; King of Bali in Gelgel) [brother] Dalem Baturenggong (mid 16th century) [son] Dalem Bekung (fl. 1558–1578 or 1630s) [son] Dalem Seganing (c. 1580–1623 or ?-1650) [son] Dalem Di Made (1623–1642 or 1655–1665) [son] Dewa Pacekan (1642–1650; position uncertain) [son] Dewa Cawu (1651-c. 1655, died 1673; position uncertain) [uncle] Anglurah Agung (usurper c. 1665–1686)
Rajas of Mengwi
Gusti Agung Śakti (Gusti Agung Anom) (c. 1690–1722) Gusti Agung Made Alangkajeng (1722-c. 1740) [son] Gusti Agung Putu Mayun (1740s) [nephew] Gusti Agung Made Munggu (1740s–1770/80) [brother] Gusti Agung Putu Agung (1770/80-1793/94) [son] Gusti Ayu Oka Kaba-Kaba (regent 1770/80-1807) [mother, grandmother] Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung I (1807–1823) [son of Gusti Agung Putu Agung] Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung II Putra (1829–1836) [son] Gusti Agung Ketut Besakih (1836-1850/55) [brother] Dutch suzerainty 1843–1891 Gusti Ayu Istri Biang Agung (1836–1857) [widow of Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung Putra] Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung III (1859–1891) [descendant of Gusti Agung Putu Mayun] Mengwi destroyed by Klungkung, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan 1891
Rajas of Tabanan
Śri Magade Nata [son] Gusti Ngurah Langwang (Prabhu Singasana) [son] Gusti Ngurah Tabanan (Prabhu Winalwan) [son] Gusti Wayahan Pamedekan (?-1647) [son] Gusti Made Pamedekan (1647-c. 1650) [brother] Gusti Ngurah Tabanan (Prabhu Winalwanan) (second time, c. 1650-?) Prabhu Nisweng Panida (?-1654?) [son of Gusti Made Pamedekan] Gusti Made Dalang (1654?-?) [brother] Gusti Nengah Malkangin [son of Gusti Wayahan Pamedekan] Gusti Bolo di Malkangin [son of Prabhu Winalwanan] Gusti Agung Badeng (regent late 17th century) [son-in-law of Gusti Made Pamedekan] Prabhu Magada Śakti (c. 1700) [son of Prabhu Nisweng Panida] Anglurah Mur Pamade [son] Gusti Ngurah Sekar (fl. 1734) [son] Gusti Ngurah Gede [son] Gusti Ngurah Made Rai (?-1793) [brother] Gusti Ngurah Rai Penebel (1793-c. 1820) [brother] Gusti Ngurah Ubung (c. 1820) [son] Gusti Ngurah Agung I (c. 1820–1843) [grandson of Gusti Ngurah Made Rai] Dutch suzerainty 1843–1906 Gusti Ngurah Agung II (1843–1903) [son] Gusti Ngurah Rai Perang ( Gusti Ngurah Agung III)(1903–1906) [son] Dutch conquest 1906 Cokorda Ngurah Ketut (1929–1939) [nephew] Gusti Ngurah Wayan (Jero Kompyang Tabanan) (regent 1939–1944) Cokorda Ngurah Gede (1944–1950, kepala 1950–1955, died 1987) [son of Cokorda Ngurah Ketut] Tabanan incorporated in the Indonesian unitary state 1950 Cokorda Anglurah Tabanan (titular head of the dynasty 21 March 2008 – ...) [son]
Rajas of Karangasem
Gusti Nyoman Karang (c. 1600) Anglurah Ketut Karang [son] Anglurah Nengah Karangasem (late 17th century) [son] Anglurah Ketut Karangasem (fl. 1691–1692) [brother] Anglurah Made Karang [son of Anglurah Nengah Karangasem] Gusti Wayahan Karangasem (fl. 1730) [son of Anglurah Ketut Karangasem] Anglurah Made Karangasem Śakti (Bagawan Atapa Rare) (1730s) [son of Anglurah Made Karang] Anglurah Made Karangasem (1730s–1775) [son] Gusti Gede Ngurah Karangasem (1775–1806) [grandson] Gusti Gede Ngurah Lanang (1806–1822) [nephew] Gusti Gede Ngurah Pahang (1822) [grandson of Gusti Gede Ngurah Karangasem] Gusti Gede Ngurah Lanang (second time 1822–1828; died 1837) Gusti Bagus Karang (1828–1838; died 1839) [son of Gusti Gede Ngurah Karangasem] Gusti Gede Ngurah Karangasem (1838–1849) [nephew] Lombok overlordship in Karangasem 1849–1894 Gusti Made Jungutan (Gusti Made Karangasem) (vassal ruler 1849–1850) [former punggawa (local chief)] Gusti Gede Putu (vassal ruler 1850–1893) [nephew of Lombok raja] Gusti Gede Oka (vassal ruler 1850–1890) [brother] Gusti Gede Jelantik (1890–1908; died 1916) [brother] Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem (1908–1950; died 1966) [son of Gusti Gede Putu] Karangasem incorporated in the Indonesian unitary state 1950 Anak Agung Gde Jelantik (kepala 1951–1958) [son]
Rajas of Jembrana
Agung Dynasty Gusti Agung Basangtamiang (17th century) [son of Gelgel minister Gusti Agung Widya] Gusti Brangbangmurti [son] Gusti Gede Giri (c. 1700) [son] Gusti Ngurah Tapa [son] Gusti Made Yasa [brother] Gusti Gede Andul (first half of the 18th century) [son] Dynasty from Mengwi Gusti Ngurah Agung Jembrana (mid 18th century) [grandson of Gusti Agung Sakti of Mengwi] Gusti Ngurah Batu (regent ?-1766) [son] Gusti Gede Jembrana (1766-?) [nephew] Gusti Putu Andul (before 1797–1809) [son] Gusti Rahi (regent for Badung, fl. 1805) Kapitan Patimi (regent, Buginese, c. 1805–1808) Gusti Wayahan Pasekan (regent c. 1812–1814) Gusti Made Pasekan (regent c. 1812–1814) [brother] Gusti Putu Sloka (1809–1835) [son of Gusti Putu Andul] Gusti Alit Mas (regent c. 1835–1840) Gusti Putu Dorok (regent c. 1835–1840) [great-grandson of Gusti Ngurah Batu] Gusti Made Penarungan (regent c. 1840–1849) Gusti Ngurah Made Pasekan (regent c. 1840–1849) Dutch suzerainty 1843–1882 Gusti Putu Ngurah Sloka (1849–1855; died 1876) [son of Gusti Putu Sloka] Gusti Ngurah Made Pasekan (patih 1849–1855; raja 1855–1866) Anak Agung Made Rai (regent 1867–1882; died 1905) [grandson of Gusti Putu Andul] Dutch direct rule in Jembrana 1882–1929 Anak Agung Bagus Negara (1929–1950, kepala 1950–1960; died 1967) [grandson of Anak Agung Made Rai] Jembrana incorporated in the Indonesian unitary state 1950
Rajas of Buleleng
Dynasty of Panji Śakti Gusti Panji Śakti (c. 1660-1697/99) Gusti Panji Wayahan Danurdarastra (1697/99-1732) [son] Gusti Alit Panji (1732-c. 1757/65) [son] Dependent on Mengwi first half of the 18th century Gusti Ngurah Panji (in Sukasadda c. 1757/65) [son] Dependent on Karangasem c. 1757–1806 Gusti Ngurah Jelantik (in Singaraja c. 1757/65-c. 1780) [brother] Gusti Made Jelantik (c. 1780–1793) [son] Gusti Made Singaraja (1793-?) [nephew] Karangasem Dynasty Anak Agung Rai (?-1806) [son of Gusti Gede Ngurah Karangasem] Gusti Gede Karang (1806–1818) [brother] Gusti Gede Ngurah Pahang (1818–1822) [son] Gusti Made Oka Sori (1822–1825) [nephew of Gusti Gede Karang] Gusti Ngurah Made Karangasem (1825–1849) [nephew of Gusti Gede Karang] Dynasty of Panji Śakti Gusti Made Rai (1849, 1851–1853) [great-great-grandson of Gusti Ngurah Panji] Dependency of Bangli 1849–1854 Gusti Ngurah Ketut Jelantik (1854–1873; regency 1853–1861; died 1893) [descended from Gusti Ngurah Jelantik] Dutch direct rule 1882–1929 Anak Agung Putu Jelantik (regent 1929–1938; anak agung 1938–1944) [descended from Gusti Ngurah Jelantik] Anak Agung Nyoman Panji Tisna (1944–1947) [son] Anak Agung Ngurah Ketut Jelantik (1947–1950; died 1970) [brother] Buleleng incorporated in Indonesian unitary state 1950 Anak Agung Nyoman Panji Tisna (kepala 1950–1958; died 1978)
Rajas of Gianyar
Dewa Manggis I Kuning (chief of Pahang) Dewa Manggis II Pahang (chief of Pahang) [son] Dewa Manggis III Bengkel (chief of Bengkel) [son] Dewa Manggis IV Jorog (Raja of Gianyar c. 1771–1788) [son] Dewa Manggis V di Madya (c. 1788–1820) [son] Dewa Manggis VI di Rangki (c. 1820–1847) [son] Dewa Manggis VII di Satria (1847–1884; died 1891) [son] Dependency of Klungkung 1884–1891 Dewa Pahang (1891–1896) [son] Dewa Manggis VIII (Dewa Gede Raka until 1908) (1896–1912) [brother] Ide Anak Agung Ngurah Agung (ruler (anak agung) 1913–1943) [son] Ide Anak Agung Gede Agung (1943–1946; died 1999) [son] Ide Anak Agung Gede Oka (1946–1950, kepala 1950–1958; died 1993) [brother] Gianyar incorporated in the Indonesian unitary state 1950
Rajas of Sukawati and Ubud
Dynasty from Klungkung Dewa Agung Anom (Raja of Sukawati before 1713–1733) Dewa Agung Gede Mayun Dalem Patemon (1733-before 1757) [son] Dewa Agung Gede Sukawati (c. 1757) [son] Dewa Agung Made Pliatan (second half of 18th century) [brother] Lordship of Ubud, under Gianyar suzerainty Cokorda Putu Kandel (c. 1800) [son] Cokorda Sukawati (19th century) [son] Cokorda Rai Batur (fl. 1874) [son] Cokorda Gede Sukawati (before 1889–1919) [son] Cokorda Gede Raka Sukawati (1919–1931; died 1967) [son] Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati (1931–1950; died 1978) [brother] Gianyar with Ubud incorporated in Indonesian unitary state 1950
Rajas of Pamecutan in Badung
Dynasty from Tabanan Prabhu Bandana, Arya Notor Wanira (17th century) [son of Shri Magade Nata, King of Tabanan] Gusti Ngurah Papak [son] Gusti Jambe Pule (c. 1660–1683) [son] Split in a Jambe and Pamecutan line 1683 Gusti Jambe Merik (1683-?) [son] Gusti Jambe Ketewel [son] Gusti Jambe Tangkeban (c. 1757) [son] Gusti Jambe Aji [son] Gusti Jambe Ksatria (?-1780) [son]