19th century, from English maharaja, from Hindi महाराजा (mahārājā), from Sanskrit महाराज (mahārāja).

• IPA^(key): /ˌmahaˈʁaːdʒa/ (prescriptive standard; very rare)
• IPA^(key): /ˌmahaˈʁadʒa/ (somewhat more common)
• IPA^(key): /ˌmahaˈʁatʃa/ (usual)

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• While most northern and central German speakers, as well as some southern speakers, do distinguish /dʒ/ from /tʃ/, it is the unusual position after a stressed short vowel that makes the /tʃ/-form more common in this word. (As indicated, the prescribed long vowel is quite unusual in practice.)

Maharadscha m (strong, genitive Maharadschas or Maharadscha, plural Maharadschas or Maharadscha)

1. maharaja (Indian ruler)