Rai (Urdu: رائے, rāi; Bengali: রায়) is a historical title of royalty and nobility in the Indian subcontinent used by rulers and chieftains of many princely states. It is derived from Raja (king, prince or chief). The Marathi/Telugu variant Rai was used as a substitute to King. Rai has no trace in sanskrit origin.
When Babur conquered Hindustan, he found many principalities which had been subordinated by the Emperor of Hindustan and innumerable others which never have been effectively subdued. When Akbar ascended to the throne, Hindustan had numerous autonomous and semiautonomous rulers. These hereditary rulers were known by various names such as Rais, Rajas, Ranas, and Rawals.[1]
During Mughal rule, while conferring a title on a Hindu or Sikh Chief the word Raja or Rai was added to the name of person. The Mughals seems to have inherited the practice of bestowing titles from the Sultans of Delhi.[2] The appellation "Rai" is primarily applied to men, while for women the appellation "Rani" is used.
During British Rule, Rai Sahib and Rai Bahadur were titles of honour given for service of visionary leadership to the nation. They were given immense power too and were equivalent to autonomous native rulers within their feudal estates.In ancient times the title of Rai was used by the descendants of Jat kings. And still more in West Punjab, the Royal Jats write the title of Rai with their names. Rai surname in Pakistani Jats.
Other variations of Rai are Roy and Rao. These are also used as surnames by Bhumihars and Yadavs.
The descendants of these earlier rulers, chieftains and leaders still use these titles as patronymics, but these titles although having social acceptance as per local customs, holds no recognition and privilege in the eye of law after the abolition of titles in 1971 from the Indian Constitution.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Khan, Ahsan Raza (1977). Chieftains in the Mughal Empire during the reign of Akbar. Simla.
- ^ Phul, R.K. Armies of Great Mughal. pp. 198–199.
- ^ "The Gazette of India, 1971".
Bibliography[edit]
- WorldStatesmen - India
- Jain, Vijay K. (2015), Acarya Samantabhadra's Svayambhustotra: Adoration of The Twenty-four Tirthankara, Vikalp Printers, ISBN 978-81-903639-7-6,
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - "Sheikhupura Chamber of Commerce & Industry". scci.net.pk. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
- Pakistan; Bhatti, R.M.Z.; Mushtaq, M.I. (2013). Federal & Provincial the Minor Acts: Civil & Criminal. Retrieved 2015-11-15.