raj

American  

[rahj] / rɑdʒ /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. (in India) rule, especially the British rule prior to 1947.

---

Raj ¹ British  

/ rɑːdʒ /

noun

1. the British government in India before 1947

---

raj ² British  

/ rɑːdʒ /

noun

1. (in India) government; rule

---

Etymology

Origin of raj

1790–1800; < Hindi rāj < Pali, Prakrit rajja < Sanskrit rājya kingdom, rule

Example Sentences

The nizam juggled between his obligations to the colonial raj and to India’s rising pro-independence leaders Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

From The Wall Street Journal

She likes jubilant dresses with more layers than a Napoleon, coats embroidered for a raj and jewelry that sparkles like gold bullion.

From Washington Post

Theaters, dance halls, cafes, racecourses and other businesses came along to keep the upholders of the raj entertained.

From Washington Post

For now, India’s current rulers, its native-born billionaire raj, look set to maintain their reign.

From Washington Post

They are his reportage, in which he relates his encounters with several of the men who are emblematic of the billionaire raj.

From The Wall Street Journal