A Who’s Who of Indian princely titles.

Before researching A History of the Indian Princely States I knew that traditional Indian rulers were not all styled rajas or maharajas but I was nevertheless surprised at the range of titles the 600 or so rulers did hold. Most Hindu rulers were called rajas with the more important of them being called maharajas. Muslim states were usually ruled by a nawab. Amongst the more unusual titles were: the Bhumia of Chhota Barkhera, the Chogyal of Sikkim, the Darbar Sahib of Chotila, the Gaekwar of Baroda, the Jam of Nawanagar, the Khan of Kalat, the Kunwar of Saraikela, the Lyngdoh of Langiong, the Maharawal of Dungapur, the Mehtar of Chitral, the Mir of Hunza, the Ngwegunhmu of Namtok, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Rana of Bhajji, the Sardar of Jirang, the Sawbwa of Mongpawn, the Siem of Langrin, the Thakur Saheb of Rajkot and the Wali of Swat.

The Nizam of Hyderabad was the ruler of the largest princely state in India and the richest man in the world.

The Wali of Swat, ruler of a small princely state in present day Pakistan.