rajah
UK[ˈrɑːdʒə]US[ˈrɑːdʒə]
n
A king or prince in India, especially one who ruled a small state.
n
A title for a Malay or Javanese ruler.
Etymology
The word 'rajah' entered English in the 16th century via Portuguese explorers and traders from the Indian subcontinent, who adopted it from the Hindi 'rājā'. This Hindi term is a direct descendant of the Sanskrit 'rājan', meaning 'king' or 'ruler'. The Sanskrit root 'rāj-' is related to the Latin 'rex' and the Old Irish 'rí', all deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root 'h₃rḗǵs', meaning 'king' or 'to straighten, to rule'. Thus, the English word 'rajah' preserves an ancient Indo-European concept of kingship, specifically filtered through centuries of South Asian history and colonial contact.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Hindi and Urdu word 'rājā', which itself comes from Sanskrit 'rājan' meaning 'king'. Its functional role is as a complete noun.
Examples
The rajah's palace was adorned with intricate carvings and precious jewels.
During the colonial era, a British resident was often assigned to advise the local rajah.
The legend tells of a wise rajah who solved disputes with fairness and compassion.