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.^{[citation needed]}

This title is also used for Yadavs of Rewari Haryana in Northern India.^[1]

Princely States

It occurred in some princely states such as :

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

The variation Raol was used in

Malpur State^{[citation needed]}
Mansa State^{[citation needed]}

The compound Rao Raja was used in

Alwar State (till ?1889; later promoted Maharaja)^{[citation needed]}

The formally higher title Rao Bahadur was used in :

Khilchipur State (Dewans till 1873; restyled to mere Raja in 1927)^{[citation needed]}

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)^{[citation needed]}
Cutch State (Cutch/Kachh), Hereditary salute of 17-guns (19-guns local)^{[citation needed]}
Kota(h), Hereditary salute of 17-guns (19-guns personal)

References

^ Lucia Michelutti (2002). "Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town" (PDF). PhD Thesis Social Anthropology. London School of Economics and Political Science University of London. pp. 94, 95.

[1] Lucia Michelutti (2002). "Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town" (PDF). PhD Thesis Social Anthropology. London School of Economics and Political Science University of London. pp. 94, 95.

[1]