# Maraj

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**Maraj**, **Maharaj**, **Maharajh**, **Maragh**, or **Maharagh** is a [Hindu](/source/Hindu) [Indian](/source/Indian_people) [surname](/source/Surname) derived from the Sanskrit word [Maharaja](/source/Maharaja) meaning "great leader", "great ruler", or "great king". Originally used as an honorific suffix to a [Hindu priest](/source/Hindu_priest)'s name, it became the surname of many Hindu priests who immigrated to different European colonies during the [Indian indenture system](/source/Indian_indenture_system) and their descendants because when stating their names to the respective local colonial authorities they would state their whole name and many would include the honorific suffix of Maharaj, which the authorities erroneously documented as their surname. Notable individuals bearing the surname include:

- [Badri Maharaj](/source/Badri_Maharaj), an [Indo-Fijian](/source/Indo-Fijian) politician
- [Bhadase Sagan Maraj](/source/Bhadase_Maraj) (1919–1971), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) politician, [Hindu](/source/Hindu) religious leader, founder of the [Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha](/source/Sanatan_Dharma_Maha_Sabha), wrestler, author, and businessman
- [Davan Maharaj](/source/Davan_Maharaj), an [Indo-Trinidadian American](/source/Indo-Caribbean_Americans) journalist and former [editor-in-chief](/source/Editor-in-chief) and publisher of the *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*
- [Devant Maharaj](/source/Devant_Maharaj), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian) politician
- [Ishwar Maraj](/source/Ishwar_Maraj) (b. 1969), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) member of the [St Lucia cricket](/source/Sport_in_Saint_Lucia) team[1]
- [Kama Maharaj](/source/Kama_Maharaj), businessman and politician
- [Keshav Maharaj](/source/Keshav_Maharaj) (b. 1990), an [Indo-South African](/source/Indian_South_Africans) cricketer
- [Krishna Maharaj](/source/Krishna_Maharaj) (1939–2024), a [British Indo-Trinidadian](/source/British_Indo-Caribbean_people) businessman convicted of murder in [South Florida](/source/South_Florida)
- [Onika Maraj](/source/Nicki_Minaj) (b. 1982), a [Trinidadian](/source/Trinidadians)-born American rapper known professionally as Nicki Minaj
- [Rabi Maharaj](/source/Rabi_Maharaj) (b. 1947), a [Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) bestselling author
- [Rajiv Maragh](/source/Rajiv_Maragh) (b.1985), an [Indo-Jamaican](/source/Indo-Jamaican) [jockey](/source/Jockey)
- [Ralph Maraj](/source/Ralph_Maraj) (b. 1949), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) politician, actor, playwright, and teacher
- [Ramesh Maharaj](/source/Ramesh_Maharaj), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) politician and former [Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago](/source/Attorney_General_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago)
- [Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj](/source/Rasheed_Mohammed_Al_Maraj), Bahraini economist and banker
- [Sadanand Maharaj](/source/Sadanand_Maharaj), an [Indo-Fijian](/source/Indo-Fijian) politician (1876-1962)
- [Satnarayan Maharaj](/source/Satnarayan_Maharaj) (1931–2019), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) [Hindu](/source/Hindu) religious leader, son-in-law of [Bhadase Sagan Maraj](/source/Bhadase_Maraj), and [Secretary-General](/source/Secretary-General) of the [Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha](/source/Sanatan_Dharma_Maha_Sabha)
- [Sathyandranath Ragunanan "Mac" Maharaj](/source/Mac_Maharaj), (b. 1935) in Newcastle, Natal), a South African politician, academic and businessman.
- [Valene Maharaj](/source/Valene_Maharaj) (b. 1986), an [Indo-Trinidadian](/source/Indo-Trinidadian_and_Tobagonian) model, beauty pageant holder, former Miss Trinidad and Tobago, and former Miss Caribbean of the World

## See also

- [Persaud](/source/Persaud)
- [Rampersad](/source/Rampersad)
- [Gobin](/source/Gobin)

## References

1. ESPN Cricinfo. ["Ishwar Maraj"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/23846.html). Retrieved 29 February 2012.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maraj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maraj) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maraj?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.