"Maharaja" was a royal title used by some Hindu monarchs since ancient times through the 19th century. Our Maharaja design is based on presented to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Bhavani Singh, Maharaja of Datia. Each scale of the original piece was hand-painted with a gold-edged floral design and jeweled border, encrusted with rubies and turquoises. While this piece isn't quite as shiny as the exquisite original, may it give you the same royal feeling!