Maharana Raj Singh Award, an annual award given to deserving University Students (Udaipur) in Udaipur. See MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION AWARDS.

Maharana Sajjan Singh Award, one of the annual State of Rajasthan awards in Udaipur. See MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION AWARDS.

Maharana Udai Singh Award, one of the annual National awards in Udaipur. See MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION AWARDS.

Maharani, (Hindi) a Rajput queen.

Maharao, the title of Bundi and Kota rulers.

Maharawal, (Hindi) the title of the rulers of Dungarpur.

maharishi, (Hindi) a teacher; a mystic; from 'maha' - 'great', and 'rishi' - 'inspired sage'.

Mahasati (Sthal), Chittorgarh; a large open courtyard where royal cremations were performed, and where the ladies living in the fort committed traditional SATI after the death of their husbands; situated between the TOWER OF VICTORY and the SAMIDDHESHWAR-MAHADEO TEMPLE,. It is believed that the sthal (cremation ground) is also where the legendary Rani PADMINI and the women of the fort committed JAUHAR in 1303 when Sultan ALA-UD-DIN KHILJI besieged Chittor. Also, it is believed that Queen Mother KARMAVATI, along with "thirteen thousand" women, to preserve their honour against Sultan BAHADUR SHAH (1534), committed suicide in the same grisly manner, as did all the fort's women during the final siege by Emperor AKBAR (1567/68). Excavations of the layers of ash have confirmed this practice of self-immolation carried out here. Rawal SAMAR SINGH (1273-1302) enclosed the area with the present wall and gateway, where he put two inscriptions, one of which has been destroyed.

Mahastiyas (Royal Cenotaphs): see AHAR.

mahatma, (Sanskrit: mahatman, great-souled), an adept in Brahmanism; a wise and holy leader, esteemed for his saintliness; and, in Theosophy, one of a class of reputed beings with preternatural powers.

Mahavir Swami Temple (Chittorgarh): see KUMBH SWAMI TEMPLE.

Mahavira, a Jain prophet (also known as Vardhana, Jina), who was born around 540 BC.

Mahayak, Rawal, fourteenth ruler of Mewar (r. 853-878); son and successor of Rawal KHUMAN II. Although he ruled for twenty-five years from Chittor, little is known of his reign. Mahayak's son KHUMAN (III) succeeded him.

Mahayogini, a Hindu goddess. See KALI.