List of heads of state of Afghanistan facts for kids
This article tells you about the leaders of Afghanistan since its first modern state, the Hotak Empire, began in 1709. These leaders are called 'heads of state' and they guide the country.
Contents
History of Afghanistan's Leaders
The Hotak Empire started when Mirwais Hotak and other Afghan tribal leaders successfully rebelled. They fought against the Mughal and Persian rulers in the Kandahar area.
After many wars, the Hotak Empire was replaced by the Durrani Afghan Empire. This new empire was founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747.
Changes in Leadership: From Empires to Republics
The Durrani Empire ended in 1823. Then, the Barakzai dynasty took over and created the Emirate of Kabul. This was later known as the Emirate of Afghanistan. The Durrani family briefly returned to power in 1839 during the First Anglo-Afghan War. Shah Shujah Durrani became king again with help from the British. But he was killed in 1842 after the British left Kabul.
The Barakzai dynasty then regained control. They changed the Emirate into the Kingdom of Afghanistan in 1926. They ruled until the last king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, was removed in 1973. His cousin, Mohammad Daoud Khan, led a coup. Daoud Khan was also from the Barakzai family, but he decided not to be king. Instead, he ended the monarchy and started the Republic of Afghanistan. He became its first President. The Republic lasted until 1978, when the PDPA took power in the Saur Revolution.
Since 1978, Afghanistan has faced many challenges. There have been ongoing internal conflicts and times when other countries got involved.
Modern Leaders and Recent Changes
Hamid Karzai became Afghanistan's first democratically elected head of state. He was chosen by the people on December 7, 2004. His successor, Ashraf Ghani, was president from September 29, 2014, until August 15, 2021. Ghani left the country when Kabul fell to the Taliban during their 2021 offensive.
After taking Kabul, the Taliban brought back the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Their supreme leader since 2016, Hibatullah Akhundzada, became the country's de facto (in practice) head of state.
List of Heads of State
(Dates in italic mean the person continued in their role even if the government changed slightly.)
Monarchs of Afghanistan
Quick facts for kids Monarch of Afghanistan |
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![]() Royal Standard
(1931–1973) |
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Details | |
Style | His Majesty |
First monarch | Mirwais Hotak (Emir) |
Last monarch | Mohammad Zahir Shah (King) |
Formation | 1709 |
Abolition | 17 July 1973 |
Residence | Kabul:
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Appointer | Hereditary |
Pretender(s) | Prince Muhammad Zahir Khan |
Hotak Empire (1709–1738)
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Mirwais Hotak
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1673–1715 | 1709 | 1715 | Started the Hotak dynasty in Kandahar. | Hotak | ![]() |
Abdul Aziz Hotak | Died 1717 | 1715 | 1717 | Brother of Mirwais Hotak. | Hotak | ![]() |
Mahmud Hotak | 1697 – 22 April 1725 | 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. Removed from power by Nader Shah. | Hotak | ![]() |
Durrani Empire (1747–1823)
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Ahmad Shah Durrani
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1720/1722 – 4 June 1772 | June 1747 | 4 June 1772 | Founded the Durrani dynasty and the Durrani Empire. He is seen as the founder of modern Afghanistan. | Sadozai (Durrani) | ![]() |
Timur Shah Durrani | December 1746 – 20 May 1793 | November 1772 | 20 May 1793 | Son of Ahmad Shah Durrani. He kept the empire strong after his father's death. | Durrani | ![]() |
Zaman Shah Durrani | 1770–1844 | 20 May 1793 | 25 July 1801 (deposed) |
Son of Timur Shah Durrani. Fought his brothers for power and was later removed. | Durrani | ![]() |
Mahmud Shah Durrani (1st reign)
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1769 – 18 April 1829 | 25 July 1801 | 13 July 1803 (deposed) |
Son of Timur Shah Durrani. Fought his brothers for power and was later removed. | Durrani | ![]() |
Shah Shujah Durrani (1st reign)
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4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842 | 13 July 1803 | 3 May 1809 (deposed) |
Son of Timur Shah Durrani. Fought his brothers for power and was later removed. | Durrani | ![]() |
Mahmud Shah Durrani (2nd reign)
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1769 – 18 April 1829 | 3 May 1809 | 1818 (deposed) |
Son of Timur Shah Durrani. Was sent away to Herat after being removed from power a second time. | Durrani | ![]() |
Ali Shah Durrani | Died 1818/1819 | 1818 | 1819 (deposed) |
Son of Timur Shah Durrani. | Durrani | ![]() |
Ayub Shah Durrani | Died 1 October 1837 | 1819 | 1823 (deposed) |
Son of Timur Shah Durrani. | Durrani | ![]() |
Emirate of Kabul / Emirate of Afghanistan (1823–1926)
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Sultan Mohammad Khan
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1792–1834 | 1823 | 1826 (deposed) |
First ruler of the Barakzai dynasty. Brother of Dost Mohammad Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Dost Mohammad Khan (1st reign)
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23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863 | Summer 1826 | 6 August 1839 (deposed) |
Tried to unite Afghanistan after civil wars. His rule was challenged by Shah Shujah Durrani. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Shah Shujah Durrani (2nd reign)
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4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842 | 7 August 1839 | 5 April 1842 | Returned to the throne with British help. Killed after the British left Kabul. | Durrani | ![]() |
Akbar Khan
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1816–1847 | May 1842 | 1843 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Dost Mohammad Khan (2nd reign)
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23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863 | 1843 | 9 June 1863 | Returned to power after the British and Shah Shuja were defeated. He helped unite the country. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Sher Ali Khan (1st reign) |
1825 – 21 February 1879 | 9 June 1863 | May 1866 (deposed) |
Son of Dost Mohammad Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Mohammad Afzal Khan | 1815 – 7 October 1867 | May 1866 | 7 October 1867 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Mohammad Azam Khan | 1820–1870 | 7 October 1867 | 21 August 1868 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Sher Ali Khan (2nd reign) |
1825 – 21 February 1879 | 9 September 1868 | 21 February 1879 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Mohammad Yaqub Khan | 1849 – 15 November 1923 | 21 February 1879 | 12 October 1879 (deposed) |
Son of Sher Ali Khan. Removed from power during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Ayub Khan
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1857 – 7 April 1914 | 12 October 1879 | 31 May 1880 (deposed) |
Son of Sher Ali Khan. Lost the Battle of Kandahar and was sent away. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Abdur Rahman Khan
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1840/44 – 1 October 1901 | 31 May 1880 | 1 October 1901 | Son of Mohammad Afzal Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Habibullah Khan | 3 June 1872 – 20 February 1919 | 1 October 1901 | 20 February 1919 | Son of Abdur Rahman Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Nasrullah Khan | 1874–1920 | 20 February 1919 | 28 February 1919 (deposed) |
Son of Abdur Rahman Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Amanullah Khan | 1 June 1892 – 25 April 1960 | 28 February 1919 | 9 June 1926 | Son of Habibullah Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Kingdom of Afghanistan (1926–1929)
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Amanullah Khan | 1 June 1892 – 25 April 1960 | 9 June 1926 | 14 January 1929 (abdicated) |
Son of Habibullah Khan. He gave up his throne. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Inayatullah Khan | 20 October 1888 – 12 August 1946 | 14 January 1929 | 17 January 1929 (deposed) |
Son of Habibullah Khan. Removed from power. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Saqqawist Emirate and the 1928–1929 civil war
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Habibullāh Kalakāni
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19 January 1891 – 3 November 1929 | 17 January 1929 | 13 October 1929 | Called himself king and emir. Fought for the throne during the civil war. He was removed and executed. | Non-dynastic | ![]() |
Ali Ahmad Khan | 1883 – 11 July 1929 | 17 January 1929 | 9 February 1929 | Grandson of Dost Mohammad Khan (on his mother's side). Called himself King. He opposed Kalakāni during the civil war. He was captured and executed. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Amanullah Khan | 1 June 1892 – 25 April 1960 | March 1929 | 23 May 1929 | Former King. He returned to Afghanistan to fight for the throne during the civil war. He later went back to British India. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Kingdom of Afghanistan (restored; 1929–1973)
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Mohammad Nadir Shah | 9 April 1883 – 8 November 1933 | 15 October 1929 | 8 November 1933 | Great-nephew of Dost Mohammed Khan. He was assassinated. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Mohammad Zahir Shah
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15 October 1914 – 23 July 2007 | 8 November 1933 | 17 July 1973 (deposed) |
Son of Mohammad Nadir Shah. He was removed from power by his cousin Mohammad Daoud Khan. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Local Monarchs with Limited Rule
Some rulers tried to claim the throne during conflicts in Afghanistan. However, their power was only in certain areas.
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Jehandad Khan | Died 1914 | May 1912 | May 1912 (deposed) |
Called himself Emir. He ruled only in Khost during a rebellion. | Non-dynastic | ![]() |
Abd-al Karim | 1897 – 18 February 1927 | July 1924 | 30 January 1925 (deposed) |
Son of Mohammad Yaqub Khan. Called himself Emir. His rule was limited to the Southern Province during a rebellion. | Barakzai | ![]() |
Salemai | c. 1944 | c. 1946 (deposed) |
Called himself King. His rule was limited to the Eastern Province during tribal revolts. | Non-dynastic | ![]() |
Non-Monarch Leaders
Name | Portrait | Lifespan | Time in Office | Political Group | |||
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Started | Ended | Length of Time | |||||
Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978) | |||||||
Mohammad Daoud Khan | ![]() |
1909–1978 | 17 July 1973 | 28 April 1978 | 4 years, 285 days | Independent (until 1974) |
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National Revolutionary Party | |||||||
President. He was a cousin of King Mohammad Zahir Shah. He was killed during the Saur Revolution. | |||||||
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992) | |||||||
Colonel Abdul Qadir |
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1944–2014 | 28 April 1978 | 30 April 1978 | 2 days | People's Democratic Party (Khalq faction) |
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Leader of the Military Revolutionary Council. | |||||||
Nur Muhammad Taraki | ![]() |
1917–1979 | 30 April 1978 | 14 September 1979 | 1 year, 137 days | People's Democratic Party (Khalq faction) |
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Leader of the Revolutionary Council. He was killed by orders of Hafizullah Amin. | |||||||
Hafizullah Amin | ![]() |
1929–1979 | 14 September 1979 | 27 December 1979 | 104 days | People's Democratic Party (Khalq faction) |
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Leader of the Revolutionary Council. He was killed by Soviet special forces. | |||||||
Babrak Karmal | ![]() |
1929–1996 | 27 December 1979 | 24 November 1986 | 6 years, 332 days | People's Democratic Party (Parcham faction) |
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Leader of the Revolutionary Council. He was removed from his position. | |||||||
Haji Mohammad Chamkani | ![]() |
1947–2012 | 24 November 1986 | 30 September 1987 | 310 days | Independent | |
Leader of the Revolutionary Council. He was appointed as part of a peace process. | |||||||
Mohammad Najibullah | ![]() |
1947–1996 | 30 September 1987 | 16 April 1992 | 4 years, 199 days | People's Democratic Party (Parcham faction) (until 1990) |
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Homeland Party | |||||||
President. He resigned from his position. | |||||||
Abdul Rahim Hatif | ![]() |
1926–2013 | 16 April 1992 | 28 April 1992 | 12 days | Homeland Party | |
Acting President. He was removed from power. | |||||||
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. He resigned. | |||||||
Burhanuddin Rabbani | ![]() |
1940–2011 | 28 June 1992 | 22 December 2001 | 9 years, 177 days | Jamiat-e Islami | |
President. He left Kabul when the Taliban took over in 1996. He continued to be president in areas controlled by the Northern Alliance. He was fully back in power after Kabul was retaken in 2001. The Islamic State was recognized by other countries even when it controlled only a small part of Afghanistan. | |||||||
Hamid Karzai | ![]() |
born 1957 | 22 December 2001 | 13 June 2002 | 173 days | Independent | |
Leader of the Afghan Interim Administration. He was chosen at a conference in Bonn in 2001. | |||||||
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001) | |||||||
Mullah Mohammed Omar |
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between 1953 and 1966 – 2013 | 27 September 1996 | 13 November 2001 | 5 years, 47 days | Taliban | |
Supreme Leader. He was removed from power when Kabul fell and went into hiding. He continued to claim the position during the Taliban insurgency until his death. The Islamic Emirate was not widely recognized by other countries during this time. | |||||||
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004) | |||||||
Hamid Karzai | ![]() |
born 1957 | 13 June 2002 | 7 December 2004 | 2 years, 177 days | Independent | |
Transitional President. He was chosen by a grand assembly in 2002. | |||||||
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021) | |||||||
Hamid Karzai | ![]() |
born 1957 | 7 December 2004 | 29 September 2014 | 9 years, 296 days | Independent | |
President. He was the first democratically elected head of state. He was elected in 2004 and again in 2009. | |||||||
Ashraf Ghani | ![]() |
born 1949 | 29 September 2014 | 15 August 2021 | 6 years, 320 days | Independent | |
President. He was the first to have a peaceful transfer of power. He was elected in 2014 and again in 2019. He was removed from power when Kabul fell in 2021. | |||||||
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2021–present) | |||||||
Mullah Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada |
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Birth date not known | 15 August 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 352 days | Taliban | |
Supreme Leader. He claimed the position during the Taliban insurgency from 2016 until Kabul was recaptured. The Islamic Emirate has limited international recognition, even though it controls all of Afghanistan. |
Family Tree of Monarchs
Family tree of Afghan monarchs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Timeline of Afghan Leaders Since 1880

Standards of Heads of State
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Standard of the king of Afghanistan, c. 1919–1929
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Standard of the king of Afghanistan, 1931–1973.
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Standard of the president of Afghanistan, 1974–1978.
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Standard of the president of Afghanistan, 2004–2013.
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Standard of the president of Afghanistan, 2013–2021.
See also
- President of Afghanistan
- Supreme Leader of Afghanistan
- Prime Minister of Afghanistan
- Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan
- Chief Executive (Afghanistan)
- List of Durrani Wazirs
- Politics of Afghanistan
- History of Afghanistan
- List of Pashtun empires and dynasties
- Name of Afghanistan
- Afghan (ethnonym)