princely state

noun

A political state, in the widest sense, which is ruled as or like a principality in the generic sense, regardless of the ruler's actual title and rank.

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Meanings

nounprincely state (plural princely states)

plural princely states

  1. A political state, in the widest sense, which is ruled as or like a principality in the generic sense, regardless of the ruler's actual title and rank.
    1. IndiaPakistanhistoricalmore specificallyA vassal state under the indirect rule of the British Raj, which is governed by an Indian ruler.

Translations

Dutch vorstenland
  • vorstenlandautonomous colonial territory under indigenous ruler
Cite this entry
APA

princely state. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/princely%20state

MLA

“princely state.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/princely%20state. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “princely state,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/princely%20state.

Source: princely state on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.