List of heads of state of Afghanistan
Updated: Wikipedia source
This article lists the heads of state of Afghanistan since the foundation of the first modern Afghan state, the Hotak Empire, in 1709.
Infobox
Style
His Majesty
First monarch
Mirwais Hotak (Emir)
Last monarch
Mohammad Zahir Shah (King)
Formation
1709 (1709)
Abolition
17 July 1973 (1973-07-17)
Residence
Kabul
Appointer
Hereditary
Pretender
Prince Muhammad Zahir Khan
Tables
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Hotak Empire (1709–1738)
Abdul Aziz Hotak
1715
1715–1717
Abdul Aziz Hotak
Name
Abdul Aziz Hotak
Lifespan
Died 1717
Reign start
1715
Reign end
1717
Notes
Brother of Mirwais Hotak
Family
Hotak
Mahmud Hotak
1717
1717–1725
Mahmud Hotak
Name
Mahmud Hotak
Lifespan
1697 – 22 April 1725
(aged 28)
Reign start
1717
Reign end
22 April 1725
Notes
Son of Mirwais Hotak
Family
Hotak
Ashraf Hotak
1725
1725–1730
Ashraf Hotak
Name
Ashraf Hotak
Lifespan
Died 1730
Reign start
22 April 1725
Reign end
1730
Notes
Nephew of Mirwais Hotak
Family
Hotak
Hussain Hotak
1730
1730–1738
Hussain Hotak
Name
Hussain Hotak
Lifespan
Died 1738
Reign start
1730
Reign end
24 March 1738
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Mirwais Hotak Deposed by Nader Shah in Siege of Kandahar
Family
Hotak
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Mirwais HotakMirwais the Grandfather | 1673–1715 (aged 42) | 1709 | 1715 | Established the Hotak dynasty in Kandahar. | Hotak | |
| Abdul Aziz Hotak | Died 1717 | 1715 | 1717 | Brother of Mirwais Hotak | Hotak | |
| Mahmud Hotak | 1697 – 22 April 1725 (aged 28) | 1717 | 22 April 1725 | Son of Mirwais Hotak | Hotak | |
| Ashraf Hotak | Died 1730 | 22 April 1725 | 1730 | Nephew of Mirwais Hotak | Hotak | |
| Hussain Hotak | Died 1738 | 1730 | 24 March 1738 (deposed) | Son of Mirwais Hotak Deposed by Nader Shah in Siege of Kandahar | Hotak | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Durrani Empire (1747–1823; 1839–1842)
Timur Shah Durraniتېمور شاه دراني
1772
1772–1793
Timur Shah Durraniتېمور شاه دراني
Name
Timur Shah Durraniتېمور شاه دراني
Lifespan
December 1746 – 20 May 1793
(aged 46)
Reign start
November 1772
Reign end
20 May 1793
Notes
Son of Ahmad Shah Durrani Preserved the Durrani Empire following the death of his father after fighting off civil war in 1772, and multiple rebellions
Family
Durrani
Zaman Shah Durraniزمان شاه دراني
1793
1793–1801
Zaman Shah Durraniزمان شاه دراني
Name
Zaman Shah Durraniزمان شاه دراني
Lifespan
1767–1845
(aged 78)
Reign start
20 May 1793
Reign end
25 July 1801
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed
Family
Durrani
Mahmud Shah Durrani
(1st reign)Shah Mahmud
محمود شاه دراني
1801
1801–1803
Mahmud Shah Durrani
(1st reign)Shah Mahmud
محمود شاه دراني
Name
Mahmud Shah Durrani
(1st reign)Shah Mahmud
محمود شاه دراني
Lifespan
1769 – 18 April 1829
(aged 60)
Reign start
25 July 1801
Reign end
13 July 1803
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed
Family
Durrani
Shuja Shah Durrani
(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur
شجاع شاه دراني
1803
1803–1809
Shuja Shah Durrani
(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur
شجاع شاه دراني
Name
Shuja Shah Durrani
(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur
شجاع شاه دراني
Lifespan
(1785-11-04)4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842(1842-04-05) (aged 56)
Reign start
13 July 1803
Reign end
3 May 1809
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed, and making multiple attempts to reclaim his throne
Family
Durrani
Mahmud Shah Durrani
(2nd reign)Shah Mahmud
محمود شاه دراني
1809
1809–1818
Mahmud Shah Durrani
(2nd reign)Shah Mahmud
محمود شاه دراني
Name
Mahmud Shah Durrani
(2nd reign)Shah Mahmud
محمود شاه دراني
Lifespan
1769 – 18 April 1829
(aged 60)
Reign start
3 May 1809
Reign end
1818
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Timur Shah Durrani Exiled to Herat following his deposition during his second reign
Family
Durrani
Ali Shah Durraniعلي شاه دراني
1818
1818–1819
Ali Shah Durraniعلي شاه دراني
Name
Ali Shah Durraniعلي شاه دراني
Lifespan
Died 1819
Reign start
1818
Reign end
1819
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Timur Shah Durrani Strangled to death by his brothers Shah Ismail Durrani and Ayub Shah Durrani
Family
Durrani
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Ahmad Shah Durranithe Father of the Nation احمد شاه دراني | 1720/1722 – 4 June 1772 (aged 50–52) | June 1747 | 4 June 1772 | Established the Durrani dynasty and the Durrani Empire; Considered founder of modern Afghanistan | Durrani | |
| Timur Shah Durraniتېمور شاه دراني | December 1746 – 20 May 1793 (aged 46) | November 1772 | 20 May 1793 | Son of Ahmad Shah Durrani Preserved the Durrani Empire following the death of his father after fighting off civil war in 1772, and multiple rebellions | Durrani | |
| Zaman Shah Durraniزمان شاه دراني | 1767–1845 (aged 78) | 20 May 1793 | 25 July 1801 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed | Durrani | |
| Mahmud Shah Durrani (1st reign)Shah Mahmud محمود شاه دراني | 1769 – 18 April 1829 (aged 60) | 25 July 1801 | 13 July 1803 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed | Durrani | |
| Shuja Shah Durrani (1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur شجاع شاه دراني | (1785-11-04)4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842(1842-04-05) (aged 56) | 13 July 1803 | 3 May 1809 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed, and making multiple attempts to reclaim his throne | Durrani | |
| Mahmud Shah Durrani (2nd reign)Shah Mahmud محمود شاه دراني | 1769 – 18 April 1829 (aged 60) | 3 May 1809 | 1818 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Exiled to Herat following his deposition during his second reign | Durrani | |
| Ali Shah Durraniعلي شاه دراني | Died 1819 | 1818 | 1819 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Strangled to death by his brothers Shah Ismail Durrani and Ayub Shah Durrani | Durrani | |
| Ayub Shah Durraniايوب شاه دراني | Died 1837 | 1819 | 1823 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Overthrown by Sultan Mohammad Khan of the Barakzai dynasty | Durrani | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Durrani Empire (1747–1823; 1839–1842)
Fateh Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني
1842
1842–1842
Fateh Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني
Name → Shuja Shah Durrani
(2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur
شجاع شاع دراني
Fateh Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني
Lifespan → (1785-11-04)4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842(1842-04-05) (aged 56)
Died 1855
Reign start → 7 August 1839
5 April 1842
Reign end → 5 April 1842
12 October 1842
Notes → Son of Timur Shah Durrani Returned to the throne with the help of the British in the First Anglo-Afghan War, murdered in the aftermath of the 1842 retreat from Kabul
Son of Shah Shuja Durrani
Family → Durrani
Durrani
Shahpur Shah Durraniشاهپور شاه دراني
1842
1842–1842
Shahpur Shah Durraniشاهپور شاه دراني
Name → Shuja Shah Durrani
(2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur
شجاع شاع دراني
Shahpur Shah Durraniشاهپور شاه دراني
Lifespan → (1785-11-04)4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842(1842-04-05) (aged 56)
Died 1884
Reign start → 7 August 1839
12 October 1842
Reign end → 5 April 1842
December 1842
Notes → Son of Timur Shah Durrani Returned to the throne with the help of the British in the First Anglo-Afghan War, murdered in the aftermath of the 1842 retreat from Kabul
Son of Shah Shuja Durrani
Family → Durrani
Durrani
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Shuja Shah Durrani (2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur شجاع شاع دراني | (1785-11-04)4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842(1842-04-05) (aged 56) | 7 August 1839 | 5 April 1842 | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Returned to the throne with the help of the British in the First Anglo-Afghan War, murdered in the aftermath of the 1842 retreat from Kabul | Durrani | |
| Fateh Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني | Died 1855 | 5 April 1842 | 12 October 1842 | Son of Shah Shuja Durrani | Durrani | |
| Shahpur Shah Durraniشاهپور شاه دراني | Died 1884 | 12 October 1842 | December 1842 | Son of Shah Shuja Durrani | Durrani | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Emirate of Kabul / Emirate of Afghanistan (1823–1839; 1842–1926)
Dost Mohammad Khan
(1st reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir
1826
1826–1839
Dost Mohammad Khan
(1st reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir
Name
Dost Mohammad Khan
(1st reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir
Lifespan
(1792-12-23)23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863(1863-06-09) (aged 70)
Reign start
Summer 1826
Reign end
6 August 1839
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Sardar Payendah Khan Initiated campaigns to re-unite Afghanistan which was divided due to the civil wars between the sons of Timur Shah Durrani. Reign disputed from 1839–1842 by Shuja Shah Durrani in the First Anglo-Afghan War
Family
Barakzai
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Sultan Mohammad KhanMohammad Khan Telai | 1795–1861 (aged 66) | 1823 | 1826 (deposed) | First ruler of the Barakzai dynasty; Son of Sardar Payendah Khan, brother of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai | |
| Dost Mohammad Khan (1st reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir | (1792-12-23)23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863(1863-06-09) (aged 70) | Summer 1826 | 6 August 1839 (deposed) | Son of Sardar Payendah Khan Initiated campaigns to re-unite Afghanistan which was divided due to the civil wars between the sons of Timur Shah Durrani. Reign disputed from 1839–1842 by Shuja Shah Durrani in the First Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Emirate of Kabul / Emirate of Afghanistan (1823–1839; 1842–1926)
Mohammad Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Wazir Akbar Khān
1842
1842–1843
Mohammad Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Wazir Akbar Khān
Name
Mohammad Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Wazir Akbar Khān
Lifespan
1816–1847
(aged 31)
Reign start
May 1842
Reign end
1843
Notes
Son of Dost Mohammad Khan
Family
Barakzai
Dost Mohammad Khan
(2nd reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir
1843
1843–1863
Dost Mohammad Khan
(2nd reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir
Name
Dost Mohammad Khan
(2nd reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir
Lifespan
(1792-12-23)23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863(1863-06-09) (aged 70)
Reign start
1843
Reign end
9 June 1863
Notes
Son of Sardar Payendah Khan Returned to the throne after the British and Shah Shuja were defeated in the First Anglo-Afghan War. Coined the term "Afghanistan" after an alliance with the British. Went on to defeat the remaining powers inside Afghanistan, reunifying the country after a brutal civil war lasting 70 years from 1793–1863 by the time of
Family
Barakzai
Sher Ali Khan
(1st reign)
1863
1863–1866
Sher Ali Khan
(1st reign)
Name
Sher Ali Khan
(1st reign)
Lifespan
1825 – 21 February 1879
(aged 54)
Reign start
9 June 1863
Reign end
May 1866
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Dost Mohammad Khan
Family
Barakzai
Mohammad Afzal Khan
1866
1866–1867
Mohammad Afzal Khan
Name
Mohammad Afzal Khan
Lifespan
1815 – 7 October 1867
(aged 52)
Reign start
May 1866
Reign end
7 October 1867
Notes
Son of Dost Mohammad Khan
Family
Barakzai
Mohammad Azam Khan
1867
1867–1868
Mohammad Azam Khan
Name
Mohammad Azam Khan
Lifespan
1820–1870
(aged 50)
Reign start
7 October 1867
Reign end
21 August 1868
Notes
Son of Dost Mohammad Khan
Family
Barakzai
Sher Ali Khan
(2nd reign)
1868
1868–1879
Sher Ali Khan
(2nd reign)
Name
Sher Ali Khan
(2nd reign)
Lifespan
1825 – 21 February 1879
(aged 54)
Reign start
9 September 1868
Reign end
21 February 1879
Notes
Son of Dost Mohammad Khan
Family
Barakzai
Mohammad Yaqub Khan
1879
1879–1879
Mohammad Yaqub Khan
Name
Mohammad Yaqub Khan
Lifespan
1849 – 15 November 1923
(aged 74)
Reign start
21 February 1879
Reign end
12 October 1879
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Sher Ali Khan Deposed during the Second Anglo-Afghan War
Family
Barakzai
Mohammad Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand
the Afghan Prince Charlie
1879
1879–1880
Mohammad Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand
the Afghan Prince Charlie
Name
Mohammad Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand
the Afghan Prince Charlie
Lifespan
1857 – 7 April 1914
(aged 57)
Reign start
12 October 1879
Reign end
31 May 1880
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Sher Ali Khan Defeated in the Battle of Kandahar and exiled at the end of the Second Anglo-Afghan War
Family
Barakzai
Abdur Rahman Khanthe Iron Amir
1880
1880–1901
Abdur Rahman Khanthe Iron Amir
Name
Abdur Rahman Khanthe Iron Amir
Lifespan
1840/44 – 1 October 1901
(aged 57–61)
Reign start
31 May 1880
Reign end
1 October 1901
Notes
Son of Mohammad Afzal Khan
Family
Barakzai
Habibullah Khan
1901
1901–1919
Habibullah Khan
Name
Habibullah Khan
Lifespan
(1872-06-03)3 June 1872 – 20 February 1919(1919-02-20) (aged 46)
Reign start
1 October 1901
Reign end
20 February 1919
Notes
Son of Abdur Rahman Khan
Family
Barakzai
Nasrullah Khan
1919
1919–1919
Nasrullah Khan
Name
Nasrullah Khan
Lifespan
1874 – May 1920
(aged 46)
Reign start
20 February 1919
Reign end
28 February 1919
(deposed)
Notes
Son of Abdur Rahman Khan
Family
Barakzai
Amanullah Khan
1919
1919–1926
Amanullah Khan
Name
Amanullah Khan
Lifespan
(1892-06-01)1 June 1892 – 26 April 1960(1960-04-26) (aged 67)
Reign start
28 February 1919
Reign end
9 June 1926
Notes
Son of Habibullah Khan
Family
Barakzai
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Mohammad Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Wazir Akbar Khān | 1816–1847 (aged 31) | May 1842 | 1843 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai | |
| Dost Mohammad Khan (2nd reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir | (1792-12-23)23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863(1863-06-09) (aged 70) | 1843 | 9 June 1863 | Son of Sardar Payendah Khan Returned to the throne after the British and Shah Shuja were defeated in the First Anglo-Afghan War. Coined the term "Afghanistan" after an alliance with the British. Went on to defeat the remaining powers inside Afghanistan, reunifying the country after a brutal civil war lasting 70 years from 1793–1863 by the time of | Barakzai | |
| Sher Ali Khan (1st reign) | 1825 – 21 February 1879 (aged 54) | 9 June 1863 | May 1866 (deposed) | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai | |
| Mohammad Afzal Khan | 1815 – 7 October 1867 (aged 52) | May 1866 | 7 October 1867 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai | |
| Mohammad Azam Khan | 1820–1870 (aged 50) | 7 October 1867 | 21 August 1868 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai | |
| Sher Ali Khan (2nd reign) | 1825 – 21 February 1879 (aged 54) | 9 September 1868 | 21 February 1879 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai | |
| Mohammad Yaqub Khan | 1849 – 15 November 1923 (aged 74) | 21 February 1879 | 12 October 1879 (deposed) | Son of Sher Ali Khan Deposed during the Second Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai | |
| Mohammad Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand the Afghan Prince Charlie | 1857 – 7 April 1914 (aged 57) | 12 October 1879 | 31 May 1880 (deposed) | Son of Sher Ali Khan Defeated in the Battle of Kandahar and exiled at the end of the Second Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai | |
| Abdur Rahman Khanthe Iron Amir | 1840/44 – 1 October 1901 (aged 57–61) | 31 May 1880 | 1 October 1901 | Son of Mohammad Afzal Khan | Barakzai | |
| Habibullah Khan | (1872-06-03)3 June 1872 – 20 February 1919(1919-02-20) (aged 46) | 1 October 1901 | 20 February 1919 | Son of Abdur Rahman Khan | Barakzai | |
| Nasrullah Khan | 1874 – May 1920 (aged 46) | 20 February 1919 | 28 February 1919 (deposed) | Son of Abdur Rahman Khan | Barakzai | |
| Amanullah Khan | (1892-06-01)1 June 1892 – 26 April 1960(1960-04-26) (aged 67) | 28 February 1919 | 9 June 1926 | Son of Habibullah Khan | Barakzai | |
References
- Bala Hissar (18th century – 1880); Arg-e-Shahi (19th century – 1973).
- Most notably Herat (see Herat campaign of 1862–1863) and Kandahar (see Conquest of Kandahar).
- Most sources list 17 January 1929, the day that Kalakāni captured Kabul, as the date that his reign began. However, he h
- Kalakani referred to himself as both "king" and "emir".
- "Last King of Afghanistan dies at 92"https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210732/http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=384525&archisec=WOR&archisubsec=
- Between 1996 and 2001, only three UN member states—Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—recognized
- As of 2026, only one UN member state—Russia—recognized the Islamic Emirate as the rightful government of Afghanistan.
- Edward Granville Brownehttp://persian.packhum.org/persian/pf?file=90001014&ct=29
- Afghanistanhttps://books.google.com/books?id=fbXmk-EauHIC&pg=PA7
- History of Afghanistan, from the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878https://books.google.com/books?id=pqNGBEmHUd4C&pg=PA227
- The World Factbookhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090726155457/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2028.html?countryName=Afghanistan&countryCode=AF®ionCode=sas&#af
- Louis Dupree, Nancy Hatch Dupree and othershttps://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/7798/Afghanistan/21392/Last-Afghan-empire
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/18/archives/afghan-king-overthrown-a-republic-is-proclaimed-afghanistan-king-is.html
- Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History (Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics)https://books.google.com/books?id=fqRFCkpTdUcC&q=Zahir+Shah+Italy
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/28/archives/coup-is-reported-in-afghanistan-rebels-say-they-killed-president.html
- NPRhttps://www.npr.org/2021/08/19/1028472005/afghanistan-conflict-timeline
- Global Conflict Trackerhttps://cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/war-afghanistan
- South China Morning Posthttps://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3145084/joe-biden-approves-additional-us-forces-help-remove
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/15/afghanistan-taliban-islamic-emirate/
- Afghanistan's Political Stability: A Dream Unrealisedhttps://books.google.com/books?id=DDtanmJCVuUC