Crossword Genius

Retrospectively judge a republican government (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

raj

'government' is the definition.
(Indian term for rule or government)

'retrospectively judge a republican' is the wordplay.
'retrospectively' says the letters should be written backwards.
'judge' becomes 'j' (abbreviation for judge).
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'j'+'a'+'r'='jar'
'jar' in reverse letter order is 'RAJ'.

(Other definitions for raj that I've seen before include "Indian government" , "Sovereignty" , "Jar (anag.)" , "British dominion over India" , "Indian rule in India" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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