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: Bala Hissar (18th century – 1880) Arg-e-Shahi (19th century – 1973)
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)
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 Mahmudمحمود شاه دراني
1801
1801–1803
Mahmud Shah Durrani(1st reign)Shah Mahmudمحمود شاه دراني
Name
Mahmud Shah Durrani(1st reign)Shah Mahmudمحمود 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
Shah Shuja Durrani(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع شاه دراني
1803
1803–1809
Shah Shuja Durrani(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع شاه دراني
Name
Shah Shuja Durrani(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع 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 Mahmudمحمود شاه دراني
1809
1809–1818
Mahmud Shah Durrani(2nd reign)Shah Mahmudمحمود شاه دراني
Name
Mahmud Shah Durrani(2nd reign)Shah Mahmudمحمود 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
Shah Shuja Durrani(2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع شاع دراني
1839
1839–1842
Shah Shuja Durrani(2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع شاع دراني
Name
Shah Shuja Durrani(2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع شاع دراني
Lifespan
(1785-11-04)4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842(1842-04-05) (aged 56)
Reign start
7 August 1839
Reign end
5 April 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
Family
Durrani
Fath Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني
1842
1842–1842
Fath Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني
Name
Fath Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني
Lifespan
Died 1855
Reign start
5 April 1842
Reign end
12 October 1842
Notes
Son of Shah Shuja Durrani
Family
Durrani
Sultan Shahpur Durraniسلطان شاهپور دراني
1842
1842–1842
Sultan Shahpur Durraniسلطان شاهپور دراني
Name
Sultan Shahpur Durraniسلطان شاهپور دراني
Lifespan
Died 1884
Reign start
12 October 1842
Reign end
December 1842
Notes
Son of Shah Shuja Durrani
Family
Durrani
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Ahmad Shah Durranithe Father of the Nationاحمد 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 Mahmudمحمود 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 | |
| Shah Shuja Durrani(1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع 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 Mahmudمحمود 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 | |
| Shah Shuja Durrani(2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadurشجاع 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 | |
| Fath Jang Durraniفتح جنگ دراني | Died 1855 | 5 April 1842 | 12 October 1842 | Son of Shah Shuja Durrani | Durrani | |
| Sultan Shahpur Durraniسلطان شاهپور 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 (1823–1926)
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 Shah Shuja Durrani in the First Anglo-Afghan War
Family
Barakzai
Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Mohammad Akbar Khān
1842
1842–1843
Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Mohammad Akbar Khān
Name
Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Mohammad 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 his death
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
Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand the Afghan Prince Charlie
1879
1879–1880
Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand the Afghan Prince Charlie
Name
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 |
| 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 Shah Shuja Durrani in the First Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai | |
| Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Mohammad 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 his death | 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 | |
| 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 | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Kingdom of Afghanistan (1926–1929)
Amanullah Khan
1926
1926–1929
Amanullah Khan
Name
Amanullah Khan
Lifespan
(1892-06-01)1 June 1892 – 26 April 1960(1960-04-26) (aged 67)
Reign start
9 June 1926
Reign end
14 January 1929(abdicated)
Notes
Son of Habibullah Khan
Family
Barakzai
Inayatullah Khan
1929
1929–1929
Inayatullah Khan
Name
Inayatullah Khan
Lifespan
(1888-10-20)20 October 1888 – 12 August 1946(1946-08-12) (aged 57)
Reign start
14 January 1929
Reign end
17 January 1929(abdicated)
Notes
Son of Habibullah Khan
Family
Barakzai
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Amanullah Khan | (1892-06-01)1 June 1892 – 26 April 1960(1960-04-26) (aged 67) | 9 June 1926 | 14 January 1929(abdicated) | Son of Habibullah Khan | Barakzai | |
| Inayatullah Khan | (1888-10-20)20 October 1888 – 12 August 1946(1946-08-12) (aged 57) | 14 January 1929 | 17 January 1929(abdicated) | Son of Habibullah Khan | Barakzai | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Saqqawist Emirate and the 1928–1929 civil war
Ali Ahmad Khan
1929
1929–1929
Ali Ahmad Khan
Name → Habibullah KalakaniBacha-ye Saqao
Ali Ahmad Khan
Lifespan → (1891-01-19)19 January 1891 – 3 November 1929(1929-11-03) (aged 38)
1883 – 11 July 1929(aged 46)
Reign start → 17 January 1929
17 January 1929
Reign end → 13 October 1929
9 February 1929
Notes → Styled as king and emir ; contested the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; deposed and executed
Grandson of Dost Mohammad Khan (maternal) Styled as King; rose in opposition to Kalakāni during the 1928–29 civil war; captured and executed
Family → Non-dynastic
Barakzai
Amanullah Khan
1929
1929–1929
Amanullah Khan
Name → Habibullah KalakaniBacha-ye Saqao
Amanullah Khan
Lifespan → (1891-01-19)19 January 1891 – 3 November 1929(1929-11-03) (aged 38)
(1892-06-01)1 June 1892 – 26 April 1960(1960-04-26) (aged 67)
Reign start → 17 January 1929
March 1929
Reign end → 13 October 1929
23 May 1929
Notes → Styled as king and emir ; contested the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; deposed and executed
Son of Habibullah Khan Former King; returned to Afghanistan to contest the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; eventually retreated back into British India; See also Amanullah loyalism
Family → Non-dynastic
Barakzai
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Habibullah KalakaniBacha-ye Saqao | (1891-01-19)19 January 1891 – 3 November 1929(1929-11-03) (aged 38) | 17 January 1929 | 13 October 1929 | Styled as king and emir ; contested the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; deposed and executed | Non-dynastic | |
| Ali Ahmad Khan | 1883 – 11 July 1929(aged 46) | 17 January 1929 | 9 February 1929 | Grandson of Dost Mohammad Khan (maternal) Styled as King; rose in opposition to Kalakāni during the 1928–29 civil war; captured and executed | Barakzai | |
| Amanullah Khan | (1892-06-01)1 June 1892 – 26 April 1960(1960-04-26) (aged 67) | March 1929 | 23 May 1929 | Son of Habibullah Khan Former King; returned to Afghanistan to contest the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; eventually retreated back into British India; See also Amanullah loyalism | Barakzai | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Kingdom of Afghanistan (restored; 1929–1973)
Mohammad Zahir ShahFather of the Nation(from 2004)
1933
1933–1933
Mohammad Zahir ShahFather of the Nation(from 2004)
Name → Mohammad Nadir Shah
Mohammad Zahir ShahFather of the Nation(from 2004)
Lifespan → (1883-04-09)9 April 1883 – 8 November 1933(1933-11-08) (aged 50)
(1914-10-15)15 October 1914 – 23 July 2007(2007-07-23) (aged 92)
Reign start → 15 October 1929
8 November 1933
Reign end → 8 November 1933
17 July 1973(deposed)
Notes → Great-grandson of Sultan Mohammad Khan Assassinated by Abdul Khaliq Hazara
Son of Mohammad Nadir Shah Deposed by first cousin Mohammad Daoud Khan in the 1973 coup d'état
Family → Barakzai
Barakzai
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Mohammad Nadir Shah | (1883-04-09)9 April 1883 – 8 November 1933(1933-11-08) (aged 50) | 15 October 1929 | 8 November 1933 | Great-grandson of Sultan Mohammad Khan Assassinated by Abdul Khaliq Hazara | Barakzai | |
| Mohammad Zahir ShahFather of the Nation(from 2004) | (1914-10-15)15 October 1914 – 23 July 2007(2007-07-23) (aged 92) | 8 November 1933 | 17 July 1973(deposed) | Son of Mohammad Nadir Shah Deposed by first cousin Mohammad Daoud Khan in the 1973 coup d'état | Barakzai | |
· List of heads of state › Monarchs › Local monarchs
Jehandad Khan
1912
1912–1912
Jehandad Khan
Name
Jehandad Khan
Lifespan
Died 1914
Reign start
May 1912
Reign end
May 1912(deposed)
Notes
Styled as Emir; ruled only in Khost during the 1912 rebellion
Family
Non-dynastic
Abd-al Karim
1924
1924–1925
Abd-al Karim
Name
Abd-al Karim
Lifespan
1897 – 18 February 1927(aged 30)
Reign start
July 1924
Reign end
30 January 1925(deposed)
Notes
Son of Mohammad Yaqub Khan Styled as Emir; rule limited to the Southern Province during the 1924–1925 rebellion
Family
Barakzai
Salemai
1944
1944–1946
Salemai
Name
Salemai
Reign start
c. 1944
Reign end
c. 1946(deposed)
Notes
Styled as King; rule limited to the Eastern Province during the 1944–47 tribal revolts
Family
Non-dynastic
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Jehandad Khan | Died 1914 | May 1912 | May 1912(deposed) | Styled as Emir; ruled only in Khost during the 1912 rebellion | Non-dynastic | |
| Abd-al Karim | 1897 – 18 February 1927(aged 30) | July 1924 | 30 January 1925(deposed) | Son of Mohammad Yaqub Khan Styled as Emir; rule limited to the Southern Province during the 1924–1925 rebellion | Barakzai | |
| Salemai | c. 1944 | c. 1946(deposed) | Styled as King; rule limited to the Eastern Province during the 1944–47 tribal revolts | Non-dynastic | |
· List of heads of state › Non-monarchs
Took office
Took office
Name
Took office
Name
Left office
Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978)
Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978)
Name
Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978)
Acting Head of State; Chairman of the Presidium of the Military Revolutionary Council.
Acting Head of State; Chairman of the Presidium of the Military Revolutionary Council.
Name
Acting Head of State; Chairman of the Presidium of the Military Revolutionary Council.
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992)
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992)
Name
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992)
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by orders of Hafizullah Amin.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by orders of Hafizullah Amin.
Name
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by orders of Hafizullah Amin.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by Soviet special forces during the Operation Storm-333.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by Soviet special forces during the Operation Storm-333.
Name
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by Soviet special forces during the Operation Storm-333.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Dismissed.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Dismissed.
Name
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Dismissed.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Appointed as part of the National Reconciliation process.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Appointed as part of the National Reconciliation process.
Name
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Appointed as part of the National Reconciliation process.
Homeland Party
Homeland Party
Name
Homeland Party
President (Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council until 30 November 1987); Resigned.
President (Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council until 30 November 1987); Resigned.
Name
President (Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council until 30 November 1987); Resigned.
Acting President; Deposed.
Acting President; Deposed.
Name
Acting President; Deposed.
Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992–2002)
Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992–2002)
Name
Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992–2002)
Acting President; Resigned.
Acting President; Resigned.
Name
Acting President; Resigned.
President; Fled Kabul following its fall to the Taliban on 27 September 1996; Continued to serve as president in areas controlled by the Northern Alliance during the 1996–2001 Civil War until being fully reinstated following the recapture of Kabul on 13 November 2001; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic State remained the internationally recognized government, despite only controlling about 10% of Afghan territory.
President; Fled Kabul following its fall to the Taliban on 27 September 1996; Continued to serve as president in areas controlled by the Northern Alliance during the 1996–2001 Civil War until being fully reinstated following the recapture of Kabul on 13 November 2001; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic State remained the internationally recognized government, despite only controlling about 10% of Afghan territory.
Name
President; Fled Kabul following its fall to the Taliban on 27 September 1996; Continued to serve as president in areas controlled by the Northern Alliance during the 1996–2001 Civil War until being fully reinstated following the recapture of Kabul on 13 November 2001; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic State remained the internationally recognized government, despite only controlling about 10% of Afghan territory.
Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration; Appointed by the 2001 Bonn Conference.
Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration; Appointed by the 2001 Bonn Conference.
Name
Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration; Appointed by the 2001 Bonn Conference.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)
Name
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)
Supreme Leader; Deposed during the fall of Kabul, and went into hiding following the fall of Kandahar on 7 December 2001; Continued to claim the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency until his death on 23 April 2013; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic Emirate never attained widespread international recognition, despite controlling about 90% of Afghan territory.
Supreme Leader; Deposed during the fall of Kabul, and went into hiding following the fall of Kandahar on 7 December 2001; Continued to claim the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency until his death on 23 April 2013; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic Emirate never attained widespread international recognition, despite controlling about 90% of Afghan territory.
Name
Supreme Leader; Deposed during the fall of Kabul, and went into hiding following the fall of Kandahar on 7 December 2001; Continued to claim the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency until his death on 23 April 2013; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic Emirate never attained widespread international recognition, despite controlling about 90% of Afghan territory.
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004)
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004)
Name
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004)
Transitional President; Appointed by the 2002 loya jirga.
Transitional President; Appointed by the 2002 loya jirga.
Name
Transitional President; Appointed by the 2002 loya jirga.
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021)
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021)
Name
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021)
President; First democratically elected head of state; Elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2009.
President; First democratically elected head of state; Elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2009.
Name
President; First democratically elected head of state; Elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2009.
President; First peaceful transition of power; Elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019; Deposed during the fall of Kabul.
President; First peaceful transition of power; Elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019; Deposed during the fall of Kabul.
Name
President; First peaceful transition of power; Elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019; Deposed during the fall of Kabul.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2021–present)
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2021–present)
Name
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2021–present)
Supreme Leader; Claimed the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency from 25 May 2016 until the recapture of Kabul. The Islamic Emirate currently has limited international recognition, despite controlling all Afghan territory.
Supreme Leader; Claimed the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency from 25 May 2016 until the recapture of Kabul. The Islamic Emirate currently has limited international recognition, despite controlling all Afghan territory.
Name
Supreme Leader; Claimed the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency from 25 May 2016 until the recapture of Kabul. The Islamic Emirate currently has limited international recognition, despite controlling all Afghan territory.
| Name | Portrait | Lifespan | Term of office | Political affiliation | |||
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978) | |||||||
| Mohammad Daoud Khan | | 1909–1978 | 17 July 1973 | 28 April 1978 | 4 years, 285 days | Independent(until 1974) | |
| National Revolutionary Party | |||||||
| President; Member of the Barakzai dynasty (first cousin of Mohammad Zahir Shah); Assassinated with most of his family during the Saur Revolution; Supposedly killed for refusing to surrender to the new authorities. | |||||||
| ColonelAbdul Qadir | | 1944–2014 | 28 April 1978 | 30 April 1978 | 2 days | People's Democratic Party(Khalq faction) | |
| Acting Head of State; Chairman of the Presidium of the Military Revolutionary Council. | |||||||
| Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992) | |||||||
| Nur Muhammad Taraki | | 1917–1979 | 30 April 1978 | 14 September 1979 | 1 year, 137 days | People's Democratic Party(Khalq faction) | |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by orders of Hafizullah Amin. | |||||||
| Hafizullah Amin | | 1929–1979 | 14 September 1979 | 27 December 1979 | 104 days | People's Democratic Party(Khalq faction) | |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by Soviet special forces during the Operation Storm-333. | |||||||
| Babrak Karmal | | 1929–1996 | 27 December 1979 | 24 November 1986 | 6 years, 332 days | People's Democratic Party(Parcham faction) | |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Dismissed. | |||||||
| Haji Mohammad Chamkani | | 1947–2012 | 24 November 1986 | 30 September 1987 | 310 days | Independent | |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Appointed as part of the National Reconciliation process. | |||||||
| Mohammad Najibullah | | 1947–1996 | 30 September 1987 | 16 April 1992 | 4 years, 199 days | People's Democratic Party(Parcham faction)(until 1990) | |
| Homeland Party | |||||||
| President (Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council until 30 November 1987); Resigned. | |||||||
| Abdul Rahim Hatif | | 1926–2013 | 16 April 1992 | 28 April 1992 | 12 days | Homeland Party | |
| Acting President; Deposed. | |||||||
| Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992–2002) | |||||||
| Sibghatullah Mojaddedi | | 1926–2019 | 28 April 1992 | 28 June 1992 | 61 days | National Liberation Front of Afghanistan | |
| Acting President; Resigned. | |||||||
| Burhanuddin Rabbani | | 1940–2011 | 28 June 1992 | 22 December 2001 | 9 years, 177 days | Jamiat-e Islami | |
| President; Fled Kabul following its fall to the Taliban on 27 September 1996; Continued to serve as president in areas controlled by the Northern Alliance during the 1996–2001 Civil War until being fully reinstated following the recapture of Kabul on 13 November 2001; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic State remained the internationally recognized government, despite only controlling about 10% of Afghan territory. | |||||||
| Hamid Karzai | | born 1957 | 22 December 2001 | 13 June 2002 | 173 days | Independent | |
| Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration; Appointed by the 2001 Bonn Conference. | |||||||
| Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001) | |||||||
| MullahMohammed Omar | | between 1953 and 1966 – 2013 | 27 September 1996 | 13 November 2001 | 5 years, 47 days | Taliban | |
| Supreme Leader; Deposed during the fall of Kabul, and went into hiding following the fall of Kandahar on 7 December 2001; Continued to claim the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency until his death on 23 April 2013; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic Emirate never attained widespread international recognition, despite controlling about 90% of Afghan territory. | |||||||
| Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004) | |||||||
| Hamid Karzai | | born 1957 | 13 June 2002 | 7 December 2004 | 2 years, 177 days | Independent | |
| Transitional President; Appointed by the 2002 loya jirga. | |||||||
| Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021) | |||||||
| Hamid Karzai | | born 1957 | 7 December 2004 | 29 September 2014 | 9 years, 296 days | Independent | |
| President; First democratically elected head of state; Elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2009. | |||||||
| Ashraf Ghani | | born 1949 | 29 September 2014 | 15 August 2021 | 6 years, 320 days | Independent | |
| President; First peaceful transition of power; Elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019; Deposed during the fall of Kabul. | |||||||
| Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2021–present) | |||||||
| MullahMawlawiHibatullah Akhundzada | | born 1967 | 15 August 2021 | Incumbent | 4 years, 82 days | Taliban | |
| Supreme Leader; Claimed the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency from 25 May 2016 until the recapture of Kabul. The Islamic Emirate currently has limited international recognition, despite controlling all Afghan territory. | |||||||
References
- 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 2025, 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
- The immediate solution of Afghan crisishttps://books.google.com/books?id=vg5uAAAAMAAJ
- Kabul under siege: Fayz Muhammad's account of the 1929 Uprisinghttps://books.google.com/books?id=A4_jAAAAMAAJ
- "ExecutedToday.com » 1929: Habibullah Kalakani, Tajik bandit-king"http://www.executedtoday.com/2016/11/01/1929-habibullah-kalakani-tajik-bandit-king/
- Kabul Under Siege: Fayz Muhammad's Account of the 1929 Uprisinghttps://books.google.com/books?id=qJpXJXOno9IC
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1929/01/18/archives/rebel-becomes-king-in-afghanistan-exwater-boy-revolutionary-leader.html
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/24/archives/afhgan-usurper-yields-to-new-king-bacha-sakao-former-water-boy.html
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1929/05/26/archives/amanullah-hungry-in-flight-to-india-former-ruler-of-afghanistan-had.html
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/18/archives/nadir-khan-is-elected-amir-of-afghanistan-habibullah-is-driven-out.html
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1933/11/09/archives/king-of-afghanistan-is-slain-at-kabul-stable-boy-won-throne-by.html
- "There was, therefore, little to hinder the assault mounted by the rebel 4th Armored Brigade, led by Major Mohammad Aslahttps://books.google.com/books?id=rpS-j5uSetAC&pg=RA1-PA88&sig=QtdTpTnFrys0BuZxn37-RdB8QEU
- "1978: Afghan coup rebels claim victory"http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/29/newsid_2970000/2970317.stm
- The fall of Afghanistan: an insider's accounthttps://archive.org/details/dli.pahar.3616
- "How Soviet troops stormed Kabul palace"http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8428701.stm
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/27/world/afghan-fundamentalists-sweep-into-kabul.html
- "Bonn Agreement"https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/AF_011205_AgreementProvisionalArrangementsinAfghanistan%28en%29.pdf
- www.un.orghttps://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10465.doc.htm
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/13/international/asia/taliban-troops-abandon-capital-without-a-fight.html
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/08/world/nation-challenged-last-stronghold-taliban-abandon-last-stronghold-omar-not-found.html
- "The Secret Life of Mullah Omar"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bf5692f4611a019a7c69ea6/t/5c77f4fdeef1a10b17f2abda/1551365379168/Secret+Life+of+Mullah+Omar-FINAL3.pdf
- Terrorism and Global Disorder – Adrian Guelke – Google Libroshttps://books.google.com/books?id=diJSFBiOMjUC&pg=PA55
- Wall Street Journalhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/as-taliban-seek-international-acceptance-countries-seek-to-engagebut-stop-short-of-recognition-11631548841
- Reutershttps://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/russia-becomes-first-country-recognise-taliban-government-afghanistan-2025-07-03/