Rao (title)

Rao is one of the cognate Hindi variations of the (originally Hindu) title Raja(h) (like Rawal and Rawat), used as equivalent royal style in certain princely states, notably of former British India.

It occurred in some princely states such as:

• Alipura State^[1]
• Beri (Bundelkhand Agency) (from c.1780, previously Dewan; till ?1945, then simply restyled Raja)^[1]
• Datia State (in 182x simply restyled Raja)^[1]
• Jhansi State^[1]
• Jigni State^[1]
• Kamta (-) Rajaula (previously a jagir called Kamta)
• Kurundvad Senior^[2] and Kurundwad Junior
• Miraj Senior and Miraj Junior^[2]
• Piploda State (since 1888; previously Maharawat, originally Thakur)^[2]
• Sangli State (in 1932 simply restyled Raja)^[2]
• Sirohi State (till 1889; then raised Maharao, Hereditary salute of 15-guns; from 1911, Maharajadhiraja Maharao)^[2]
• Vijaynagar State (till 1934, then raised for the last incumbent to Maharao)^[2]

The variation Raol was used in

• Malpur State^[2]
• Mansa State^[2]

The compound Rao Raja was used in

• Alwar State (till ?1889; later promoted Maharaja)^[1]
• cfr. infra

The formally higher title Rao Bahadur was used in :

• Khilchipur State (Dewans till 1873; restyled to mere Raja in 1927)^[2]

The nominally higher title Maharao -equivalent to Maharaja(h)- was used in :

• Bundi State, in Rajasthan, Hereditary salutes of 17-guns (19-guns local); style in full Maharao Raja (from 1821, previously Rao Raja)^[1]
• Cutch State (Cutch/Kachh) , Hereditary salute of 17-guns (19-guns local)^[1]
• Kota(h), Hereditary salute of 17-guns (19-guns personal)^[2]
• cfr. supra for cases of promotion

References

1. Princely States of India A-J
2. Princely States of India K-W

External links

• Royal Ark - India (most elaborate, on a limited number of dynasties)
• WorldStatesmen- Indian princely states, A-J
• WorldStatesmen- Indian princely states, K-Z; none for Pakistan