Rao is one of the cognate Hindi variations of the (originally Hindu) title Raja(h) (like Rawal and Rawat), used as equivalent royal style in certain princely states, notably of former British India.
It occurred in some princely states such as:
Alipura State
Beri (Bundelkhand Agency) (from c.1780, previously Dewan; till ?1945, then simply restyled Raja)
Datia State (in 182x simply restyled Raja)
Jhansi State
Jigni State
Kamta (-) Rajaula (previously a jagir called Kamta)
Kurundvad Senior and Kurundwad Junior
Miraj Senior and Miraj Junior
Piploda State (since 1888; previously Maharawat, originally Thakur)
Sangli State (in 1932 simply restyled Raja)
Sirohi State (till 1889; then raised Maharao, Hereditary salute of 15-guns; from 1911, Maharajadhiraja Maharao)
Vijaynagar State (till 1934, then raised for the last incumbent to Maharao)
The variation Raol was used in
Malpur State
Mansa State
The compound Rao Raja was used in
Alwar State (till ?1889; later promoted Maharaja)
cfr. infra
The formally higher title Rao Bahadur was used in :
Khilchipur State (Dewans till 1873; restyled to mere Raja in 1927)
The nominally higher title Maharao -equivalent to Maharaja(h)- was used in :
Bundi State, in Rajasthan, Hereditary salutes of 17-guns (19-guns local); style in full Maharao Raja (from 1821, previously Rao Raja)
Cutch State (Cutch/Kachh) , Hereditary salute of 17-guns (19-guns local)
Kota(h), Hereditary salute of 17-guns (19-guns personal)
cfr. supra for cases of promotion
Sir Madhava Rao Thanjavurkar (1829–1891) - Diwan of Travancore from 1857 to 1872.
Sir R. Raghunatha Rao (c. February 1831 – May 3, 1912) - Diwan of Indore from 1875–1888
Sir R. Venkata Rao - Diwan of Travancore from 1821–1829.
3705 S. George Mason Dr. - was Diwan of Travancore from 1846 to 1857.
Thanjavur Subha Rao - Diwan of Travancore from 1830–1837.
V. P. Madhava Rao - 17th Diwan of the Mysore kingdom
T. Ananda Rao - 18th Diwan of the Mysore kingdom
N. Madhava Rao 23rd Diwan of the Mysore Kingdom
K. Krishnaswamy Rao - Diwan of Travancore from 1898–1904
T. Rama Rao (administrator) - Diwan of Travancore from 1887–1892
Baji Rao I - Appointed as minister by Chhatrapati Shahu
Madhavrao I - Peshwa of Maratha Empire
Narayanrao Peshwa - Peshwa of Maratha Empire
Raghunathrao - Peshwa of Maratha Empire
Madhavrao II - Peshwa of Maratha Empire
Baji Rao II - Peshwa of Maratha Empire
