List of rulers of Bengal

This is a list of rulers of Bengal. For much of its history, Bengal was split up into several independent kingdoms, completely unifying only several times. In ancient times, Bengal consisted of the kingdoms of Pundra, Suhma, Vanga, Samatata and Harikela.

Part of a series on the
History of Bengal
Map of "Bengal" from Pope, G. U. (1880), Text-book of Indian History: Geographical Notes, Genealogical Tables, Examination Questions, London: W. H. Allen & Co. Pp. vii, 574, 16 maps.
Ancient Kingdoms
Classical Dynasties
Islamic Bengal
Colonial Bengal
Post-partition era
Related
Part of a series on
Bengalis

Bengali history
Bengali homeland
Bengali people
Bengali culture
Bengali symbols
Politics

In the 4th century BCE, during the reign of the Nanda Empire, the powerful rulers of Gangaridai sent their forces with the war elephants which led the withdrawal of Alexander the Great from the Indian subcontinent.[1]

As a province of the Mauryan Empire, much of Bengal was part of it except for the far eastern Bengali kingdoms which maintained friendly relationships with Ashoka. The kingdoms of Bengal continued to exist as tributary states before succumbing to the Guptas. With the fall of the Gupta Empire, Bengal was united under a single local ruler, King Shashanka, for the first time. With the collapse of his kingdom, Bengal split up into petty kingdoms once more.

With the rise of Gopala in 750 AD, Bengal was united once more under the Buddhist Pala Empire. The Pala period is considered as one of golden eras of Bengali history as it brought stability and prosperity to Bengal after centuries of Civil War, created outstanding works of art and architecture, proto-Bengali language develop under them including its first literary work, the Charyapada and so on. Until the 12th century than being succeeded by the Hindu Chandra dynasty, Sena dynasty and deva dynasty. The rule of deva dynasty was a period of peace, prosperity and creative excellence and may be designed as "golden age" After them, Bengal was ruled by the Hindu Maharajas of kingdoms such as Chandradwip and Cooch Behar.

In the early 13th century, Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji conquered Western and part of Northern Bengal,[2] and established the first Muslim kingdom in Bengal.[3] The Islamic Mamluk Sultanate, the Khalji dynasty, the Turko-Indian Tughlaq dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty and the Lodi dynasty ruled Bengal for over 320 years.[4] Notable was Malik Altunia's reign with his wife Razia Sultana, the only female sovereign ruler.

Following Delhi Sultanate's reign, the Bengal Sultanate, a major trading nation in the world,[5] was founded by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, and ruled by the Ilyas Shahi dynasty, succeeded by the Hussain Shahi dynasty founded by Alauddin Husain Shah, which saw the extension of the sultanate to the port of Chittagong, witnessing the arrival of the earliest Portuguese merchants.

After being absorbed to the Bengal Subah by Babur in the 16th century during the defeat of Sultan Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah in the Battle of Ghaghra, Bengal started to be ruled by the Subahdars of the Mughal Empire. Emperor Akbar began to preach the newly invented religion of Din-i Ilahi, which was declared by the Qadi of Bengal to be a blasphemy. Islam Khan I declared Dhaka as the capital of Bengal, which was then known as Jahangir Nagar, renamed after emperor Jahangir. The reign of prince Shah Shuja under emperor Shah Jahan's orders represented the height of Mughal architecture.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad ruled over Bengal and Odisha. Nawab Alivardi Khan came victorious against the Maratha Empire in the Battle of Burdwan. Following the Battle of Plassey and the execution of Siraj ud-Daulah, the East India Company formally established control over Bengal, and the Bengal Presidency was established by Robert Clive, with the subdivision remaining the economic, cultural and educational hub of the Company and the Raj.

The position of the Prime Minister of Bengal was established in 1937, being held by A. K. Fazlul Huq and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. After the Indian independence movement and Partition of Bengal (1947), the West Bengal became a major state of the Republic of India, while the Muslim majority East Bengal became known as East Pakistan. In 1971 East Bengal became an independent nation, Bangladesh, following the Bangladesh Liberation War, governed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Ancient Bengal
Main article: History of Bengal

Ancient geopolitical divisions
Ancient Political Divisions
Ancient regionModern region
PundravardhanaRajshahi Division and Rangpur Division in Bangladesh; Malda division of West Bengal in India
VangaKhulna Division and Barisal Division in Bangladesh; West of the Padma river.
TirabhuktiMithila area of India and Nepal
GaudaModern Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal, India
SuhmaBurdwan division, Medinipur division and Presidency division of West Bengal in India
RarhCorresponds to the modern Bardhaman, Bankura, Hooghly and Nadia districts of West Bengal in India
SamatataDhaka Division, Barisal Division and Chittagong Division in Bangladesh
HarikelaSylhet Division, Chittagong Division, Dhaka Division and Barisal Division in Bangladesh
PragjyotisaKarimganj district of Barak Valley region of Assam in India; Sylhet Division and Dhaka Division in Bangladesh

The founders of Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras, Odras and Suhmas shared a common ancestry. They were all adopted sons of a king named Bali, born by a sage named Gautama Dirghatamas, who lived in Magadha close to the city of Girivraja.[6]

Bengal from c. 1100 to c. 600 BCE
Bengal and kingdoms in Late Vedic Period c. 1100–600 BCE
Bengal from c. 600 to c. 350 BCE
Bengal and kingdoms in Mahajanapada Period c. 600–350 BCE
Bengal in c. 350 BCE
Firstly entire Bengal conquered by Mahapadma Nanda in 350 BCE

Anga kingdom (c. 1100 – 530 BCE)
Main article: Anga
See also: Magadha-Anga war

The earliest mention occurs in the Atharvaveda (V.22.14) where they are listed alongside the Magadhas, Gandharis and the Mujavatas.[7] Anga was annexed by Magadha in the time of Bimbisara. This was the one and only conquest of Bimbisara.[8]

Known Anga rulers are-

Vanga kingdom (c. 1100 – 340 BCE)
Main article: Vanga Kingdom

Vanga was an ancient kingdom and geopolitical division on the Ganges delta. It was located in southern Bengal, with the core region including present-day southwestern Bangladesh and southern West Bengal (India).[9]

Known Vanga rulers are:

  • Samudrasena
  • Chadrasena
  • Karna
  • Bhagabhatta

Pundra kingdom (c. 1100 – 340 BCE)
Main article: Pundravardhana

Pundravardhana or Pundra Kingdom, was an ancient kingdom, that included parts of present-day Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions of Bangladesh as well as the West Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India.[10][11]

Known Pundra rulers are:

Suhma kingdom (c. 1100 – 340 BCE)
Main article: Suhma Kingdom

Suhma Kingdom was an ancient state during the Vedic period on the eastern part of the Bengal.This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata along with its neighbouring kingdom Prasuhma.[12]

Videha dynasty of Mithila (Tirabhukti) (c. 1100 – 700 BCE)
Main articles: Videha and Mithila (region)
See also: History of Mithila Region

Tirabhukti or Mithila region is bounded by the Mahananda River in the east, the Ganges in the south, the Gandaki River in the west and by the foothills of the Himalayas in the north.[13]

Mithila region firstly ruled by Videha dynasty. There were 52 Janaka (kings) ruled Videha dynasty of Mithila-[14]

  1. Mithi - (founder of Mithila and the first Janaka)[15]
  2. Udavasu
  3. Nandivardhana
  4. Suketu
  5. Devarata
  6. Brihadvrata
  7. Mahavira
  8. Sudhriti
  9. Dristaketu
  10. Haryasva
  11. Maru
  12. Pratindhaka
  13. Kritiratha
  14. Devamidha
  15. Vibhuta
  16. Mahidhrata
  17. Kirtirata
  18. Mahorama
  19. Swarnorama
  20. Hrisvaroma
  21. Seeradhwaja
  22. Bhaanumaan
  23. Shatadyumn
  24. Shuchi
  25. Oorjnaamaa
  26. Kriti
  27. Anjan
  28. Kurujit
  29. Arishtnemi
  30. Shrutaayu
  31. Supaarshwa
  32. Srinjaya
  33. Kshemaavee
  34. Anenaa
  35. Bhaumarath
  36. Satyarath
  37. Upagu
  38. Upagupt
  39. Swaagat
  40. Swaanand
  41. Suvarchaa
  42. Supaarshwa
  43. Subhaash
  44. Sushrut
  45. Jaya
  46. Vijaya
  47. Rit
  48. Sunaya
  49. Veetahavya
  50. Dhriti
  51. Bahulaashwa
  52. Kriti - (last King of Videha or Janaka dynasty, Kirti Janak was atrocious ruler who lost control over his subjects. He was dethroned by public under leadership of Acharyas (Learned Men).

During this period of fall of Videha dynasty, the famous republic of Licchavi was rising in Vaishali and Mithila region came under control of Licchavi clan of Vajji confederacy in around eight century BCE.[16]

Gangaridai kingdom (c. 350 – 100 BCE)
Main article: Gangaridai

Gangaridae is a term used by the ancient Greco-Roman writers to describe a people or a geographical region of the ancient Indian subcontinent. Some of these writers state that Alexander the Great withdrew from the Indian subcontinent because of the strong war elephant force of the Gangaridai. However, the geographical region was annexed and governed by the Nanda Empire at the time.

A number of modern scholars locate Gangaridai in the Ganges Delta of the Bengal region, although alternative theories also exist. Gange or Ganges, the capital of the Gangaridai (according to Ptolemy), has been identified with several sites in the region, including Chandraketugarh and Wari-Bateshwar.[17]

Magadha dynasties of Bengal
Main article: Magadha
Expansion of Magadha dynesties and Empires

Brihadratha dynasty (c. 1700 – 682 BCE)
Main article: Brihadratha dynasty
Rulers-
List of Brihadratha dynasty rulers
Ruler Reign (BCE)
Brihadratha- BCE
Jarasandha- BCE
Sahadeva of Magadha- BCE
Somadhi1661–1603 BCE
Srutasravas1603–1539 BCE
Ayutayus1539–1503 BCE
Niramitra1503–1463 BCE
Sukshatra1463–1405 BCE
Brihatkarman1405–1382 BCE
Senajit1382–1332 BCE
Srutanjaya1332–1292 BCE
Vipra1292–1257 BCE
Suchi1257–1199 BCE
Kshemya1199–1171 BCE
Subrata1171–1107 BCE
Dharma1107–1043 BCE
Susuma1043–970 BCE
Dridhasena970–912 BCE
Sumati912–879 BCE
Subala879–857 BCE
Sunita857–817 BCE
Satyajit817–767 BCE
Viswajit767–732 BCE
Ripunjaya732–682 BCE

(Ripunjaya was the last ruler of dynasty, dethorned by Pradyota in 682 BCE)

Pradyota dynasty (c. 682 – 544 BCE)
Main article: Pradyota dynasty
Rulers-
List of Pradyota dynasty Rulers
Ruler Reign (BCE) Period
Pradyota Mahasena 682–659 BCE 23
Palaka 659–635 BCE 24
Visakhayupa 635–585 BCE 50
Ajaka 585–564 BCE 21
Varttivarddhana 564–544 BCE 20

(Varttivarddhana was last ruler of dynasty dethroned by Bimbisara in 544 BCE)

Haryanka dynasty (c. 544 – 413 BCE)
Main article: Haryanka dynasty
Rulers-
List of Haryanka dynasty rulers
Ruler Reign (BCE)
Bimbisara544–491 BCE
Ajatashatru491–461 BCE
Udayin461–428 BCE
Anirudha428–419 BCE
Munda419–417 BCE
Darshaka417–415 BCE
Nāgadāsaka415–413 BCE

(Nāgadāsaka was last ruler of dynasty overthrowed by Shishunaga in 413 BCE)

Shishunaga dynasty (c. 413 – 345 BCE)
Main article: Shaishunaga dynasty
Rulers-
List of Shishunga dynasty rulers
Ruler Reign (BCE)
Shishunaga413–395 BCE
Kalashoka395–377 BCE
Kshemadharman377–365 BCE
Kshatraujas365–355 BCE
Nandivardhana355–349 BCE
Mahanandin349–345 BCE

(Mahanandin lost his empire by his illegitimate son Mahapadma Nanda in 345 BCE)

Nanda Empire (c. 345 – 322 BCE)
Main article: Nanda Empire
See also: Conquest of the Nanda Empire
Rulers-
List of Nanda dynasty rulers
Ruler Reign (BCE)
Mahapadma Nanda345–340 BCE
Pandhukananda340–339 BCE
Panghupatinanda339–338 BCE
Bhutapalananda338–337 BCE
Rashtrapalananada337–336 BCE
Govishanakananda336–335 BCE
Dashasidkhakananda335–334 BCE
Kaivartananda334–333 BCE
Karvinathanand333–330 BCE
Dhana Nanda330–322 BCE

(Dhana Nanda lost his empire to Chandragupta Maurya after being defeated by him in 322 BCE)

Maurya Empire (c. 322 – 184 BCE)
Main article: Maurya Empire
Rulers-
RulerReignNotes
Chandragupta Maurya322–297 BCEFounder of first Indian united empire.
Bindusara Amitraghata297–273 BCEKnown for his foreign diplomacy and crushed of Vidarbh revolt.
Ashoka268–232 BCEGreatest emperor of dynasty. His son Kunala was blinded and died before his father. Ashoka was succeeded by his grandson. Also known for Kalinga war victory.
Dasharatha Maurya232–224 BCEGrandson of Ashoka.
Samprati224–215 BCEBrother of Dasharatha.
Shalishuka215–202 BCE
Devavarman202–195 BCE
Shatadhanvan195–187 BCEMauryan Empire had shrunk by the time of his reign
Brihadratha187–184 BCEAssassinated by his Commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE.

(Brihadratha was the last ruler of dynasty, dethroned by Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE)

Shunga Empire (c. 185 – 73 BCE)
Main article: Shunga Empire
Rulers-
List of Shunga dynasty rulers
Ruler Reign (BCE)
Pushyamitra Shunga185–149 BCE
Agnimitra149–141 BCE
Vasujyeshtha141–131 BCE
Vasumitra131–124 BCE
Bhadraka124–122 BCE
Pulindaka122–119 BCE
Ghosha119–108 BCE
Vajramitra108–94 BCE
Bhagabhadra94–83 BCE
Devabhuti83–73 BCE

(Devabhuti was the last ruler of dynasty dethroned by, dethroned Vasudeva Kanva in 73 BCE)

Kanva dynasty (c. 73 – 28 BCE)
Main article: Kanva dynasty
Rulers-
List of Kanava dynasty rulers
Ruler Reign Period
Vasudeva Kanva 73–64 BCE 9
Bhumimitra 64–50 BCE 14
Narayana 50–38 BCE 12
Susarman 38–28 BCE 10

(Susarman was the last ruler of dynasty, dethroned by Simuka of Satavahana Empire)

Classical Era

Chandra dynasty (c. 202 – 1050 CE)
Main articles: Chandra dynasty and Harikela

The Chandra Kingdom was a Kayastha kingdom, which ruled the Samatata region of Bengal, as well as northern Arakan. Later it was a neighbor to the Pala Empire to the north. Rulers of Chandra kingdom were followers of Hinduism.[18][19]

Rulers-
List of Chandra dynasty Rulers
# King Period Reign (CE)
1 Chandrodaya 27 202–229
2 Annaveta 5 229–234
3 Chandranveta 77 234–311
4 Rimbhiappa 23 311–334
5 Kuverami (Queen) 7 334–341
6 Umavira 20 341–361
7 Jugna 7 361–368
8 Lanki 2 368–370
9 Dvenchandra 55 370–425
10 Rajachandra 20 425–445
11 Kalachandra 9 445–454
12 Devachandra 22 454–476
13 Yajnachandra 7 476–483
14 Chandrabandu 6 483–489
15 Bhumichandra 7 489–496
16 Bhutichandra 24 496–520
17 Nitichandra 55 520–575
18 Virachandra 3 575–578
19 Pritichandra 12 578–590
20 Prithvichandra 7 590–597
21 Dhirtichandra 3 597–600
22 Mahavira 12 600–612
23 Virayajap 12 612–624
24 Sevinren 12 624–636
25 Dharmasura 13 636–649
26 Vajrashakti 16 649–665
27 Dharmavijaya 36 665–701
28 Narendravijaya 2 yr 9 months 701–703
29 Dharmachandra 16 703–720
30 Anandachandra 9+ 720–729+
Harikela dynasty
1 Traillokyachandra 30 900–930
2 Srichandra 45 930–975
3 Kalyanachandra 25 975–1000
4 Ladahachandra 20 1000–1020
5 Govindachandra 30 1020–1050

Gupta Empire (c. 240 – 550 CE)
Main article: Gupta Empire
Rulers-

Jaintia kingdom (c. 525 – 1835 CE)
Main article: Jaintia Kingdom

Old dynasty rulers
  • Urmi Rani (?–550)
  • Krishak Pator (550–570)
  • Hatak (570–600)
  • Guhak (600–630)

Partitioned Jaintia rulers
  • Jayanta (630–660)
  • Joymalla (660–?)
  • Mahabal (?)
  • Bancharu (?–1100)
  • Kamadeva (1100–1120)
  • Bhimbal (1120)

Brahmin dynasty rulers
  • Kedareshwar Rai (1120–1130)
  • Dhaneshwar Rai (1130–1150)
  • Kandarpa Rai (1150–1170)
  • Manik Rai (1170–1193)
  • Jayanta Rai (1193–1210)
  • Jayanti Devi
  • Bara Gossain

New dynasty rulers
  • Prabhat Ray Syiem Sutnga (1500–1516)
  • Majha Gosain Syiem Sutnga (1516–1532)
  • Burha Parbat Ray Syiem Sutnga (1532–1548)
  • Bar Gosain Syiem Sutnga I (1548–1564)
  • Bijay Manik Syiem Sutnga (1564–1580)
  • Pratap Ray Syiem Sutnga (1580–1596)
  • Dhan Manik Syiem Sutnga (1596–1612)
  • Jasa Manik Syiem Sutnga (1612–1625)
  • Sundar Ray Syiem Sutnga (1625–1636)
  • Chota Parbat Ray Syiem Sutnga (1636–1647)
  • Jasamanta Ray Syiem Sutnga (1647–1660)
  • Ban Singh Syiem Sutnga (1660–1669)
  • Pratap Singh Syiem Sutnga (1669–1678)
  • Lakshmi Narayan Syiem Sutnga (1678–1694)
  • Ram Singh Syiem Sutnga I (1694–1708)
  • Jay Narayan Syiem Sutnga (1708–1731)
  • Bar Gosain Syiem Sutnga II (1731–1770)
  • Chattra Singh Syiem Sutnga (1770–1780)
  • Yatra Narayan Syiem Sutnga (1780-1785)
  • Bijay Narayan Syiem Sutnga (1785–1786)
  • Lakshmi Singh Syiem Sutnga (1786-1790)
  • Ram Singh Syiem Sutnga II (1790–1832)
  • Rajendra Singh Syiem Sutnga (1832–1835)[20][21]

Gauda kingdom (c. 550 – 626 CE)
Main article: Gauda Kingdom
Rulers-
  • Early Gaunda rulers are unknown
  • Shashanka (590–625), first recorded independent Hindu king of Bengal, created the first unified political entity in Bengal.
  • Manava (625–626), ruled for 8 months before being conquered by Harshavardana and Bhaskarvarmana in 626 CE.

Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) Empire (c. 606 – 647 CE)
Main article: Pushyabhuti dynasty
Rulers of Bengal-
  • Harshavardhana (606–647), unified Northern India and ruled it for over 40 years, he was the last non-Muslim emperor to rule a unified Northern India

Khadga dynasty (c. 625 – 730 CE)
Main article: Khadga dynasty
Rulers-
Titular Name Reign Notes
Khadgodyama 625-640 Father of Jatakhadga
Jatakhadga 640-658 Father of Devakhadga
Devakhadga 658-673 Queen Prabhavati
Rajabhatta 673-707 Son of Devakhadga
Balabhata 707-716 Son of Devakhadga
Udirnakhadga  ??

Bhadra dynasty (6th to 7th century)
Main article: Bhadra dynasty

The Bhadra dynasty was a Bengali Hindu royal house of Brahmin origin, their rule flourished during the first half of the 7th century, though little is known about their history. The kings of the dynasty bore names with the suffix "Bhadra".

Known rulers are-
  • Narayanabhadra
  • Jyeshthabhadra

Mallabhum kingdom (c. 694 – 1947 CE)
Main article: Mallabhum
Rulers-
Name of the king[22][23] Reign Notes
Adi Malla 694–710
Jay Malla 710–720
Benu Malla 720–733
Kinu Malla 733–742
Indra Malla 742–757
Kanu Malla 757–764
Dha (Jhau) Malla 764–775
Shur Malla 775–795
Kanak Malla 795–807
Kandarpa Malla 807–828
Sanatan Malla 828–841
Kharga Malla 841–862
Durjan (Durjay) Malla 862–906
Yadav Malla 906–919
Jagannath Malla 919–931
Birat Malla 931–946
Mahadev Malla 946–977
Durgadas Malla 977–994
Jagat Malla 994–1007
Ananta Malla 1007–1015
Rup Malla 1015–1029
Sundar Malla 1029–1053
Kumud Malla 1053–1074
Krishna Malla 1074–1084
Rup II (Jhap) Malla 1084–1097
Prakash Malla 1097–1102
Pratap Malla 1102–1113
Sindur Malla 1113–1129
Sukhomoy(Shuk) Malla 1129–1142
Banamali Malla 1142–1156
Yadu/Jadu Malla 1156–1167
Jiban Malla 1167–1185
Ram Malla 1185–1209
Gobinda Malla 1209–1240
Bhim Malla 1240–1263
Katar(Khattar) Malla 1263–1295
Prithwi Malla 1295 -1319
Tapa Malla 1319–1334
Dinabandhu Malla 1334–1345
Kinu/Kanu II Malla 1345–1358
Shur Malla II 1358–1370
Shiv Singh Malla 1370–1407
Madan Malla 1407–1420
Durjan II (Durjay) Malla 1420–1437
Uday Malla 1437–1460
Chandra Malla 1460–1501
Bir Malla 1501–1554
Dhari Malla 1554–1565
Hambir Malla Dev (Bir Hambir) 1565–1620
Dhari Hambir Malla Dev 1620–1626
Raghunath Singha Dev 1626–1656
Bir Singha Dev 1656–1682
Durjan Singha Dev 1682–1702
Raghunath Singha Dev II 1702–1712
Gopal Singha Dev 1712–1748
Chaitanya Singha Dev 1748–1801
Madhav Singha Dev 1801–1809
Gopal Singha Dev II 1809–1876
Ramkrishna Singha Dev 1876–1885
Dwhaja Moni Devi 1885–1889
Nilmoni Singha Dev 1889–1903
Churamoni Devi (Regency) 1903–1930
Kalipada Singha Thakur 1930–1947

Post-Classical era

Pala Empire (c. 750 – 1161 CE)
Main article: Pala Empire

Most of the Pala inscriptions mention only the regnal year as the date of issue, without any well-known calendar era. Because of this, the chronology of the Pala kings is hard to determine.[24] Based on their different interpretations of the various epigraphs and historical records, different historians estimate the Pala chronology as follows:[25]

RC Majumdar (1971)[26] AM Chowdhury (1967)[27] BP Sinha (1977)[28] DC Sircar (1975–76)[29] D. K. Ganguly (1994)[24]
Gopala I 750–770 756–781 755–783 750–775 750–774
Dharmapala 770–810 781–821 783–820 775–812 774–806
Devapala 810–c. 850 821–861 820–860 812–850 806–845
Mahendrapala NA (Mahendrapala's existence was conclusively established through a copper-plate charter discovered later.) 845–860
Shurapala I Deemed to be alternate name of Vigrahapala I 850–858 860–872
Gopala II NA (copper-plate charter discovered in 1995. Text of inscription published in 2009.)
Vigrahapala I 850–853 861–866 860–865 858–60 872–873
Narayanapala 854–908 866–920 865–920 860–917 873–927
Rajyapala 908–940 920–952 920–952 917–952 927–959
Gopala III 940–957 952–969 952–967 952–972 959–976
Vigrahapala II 960–c. 986 969–995 967–980 972–977 976–977
Mahipala I 988–c. 1036 995–1043 980–1035 977–1027 977–1027
Nayapala 1038–1053 1043–1058 1035–1050 1027–1043 1027–1043
Vigrahapala III 1054–1072 1058–1075 1050–1076 1043–1070 1043–1070
Mahipala II 1072–1075 1075–1080 1076–1078/9 1070–1071 1070–1071
Shurapala II 1075–1077 1080–1082 1071–1072 1071–1072
Ramapala 1077–1130 1082–1124 1078/9–1132 1072–1126 1072–1126
Kumarapala 1130–1140 1124–1129 1132–1136 1126–1128 1126–1128
Gopala IV 1140–1144 1129–1143 1136–1144 1128–1143 1128–1143
Madanapala 1144–1162 1143–1162 1144–1161/62 1143–1161 1143–1161
Govindapala 1158–1162 NA 1162–1176 or 1158–1162 1161–1165 1161–1165
Palapala NA NA NA 1165–1199 1165–1200

Sena dynasty (c. 1070 – 1230 CE)
Main article: Sena dynasty

Sena dynasty ruled southwestern Bengal from 1070 and ruled East Bengal until 1230. Vijaya Sena conquered entire Bengal by 1154 CE.

Rulers-

Deva dynasty (c. 1150 – 1294 CE)
Main article: Deva dynasty
List of rulers is disputed-
  • Purushottamadeva
  • Madhusudanadeva
  • Vasudeva
  • Shantideva
  • Viradeva
  • Anandadeva
  • Bhavadeva
  • Damodaradeva (1231–1243)
  • Dasharathadeva (1243–1281)
  • Vikramadityadeva (1281–1294)

Delhi Sultanate period

Khalji dynasty

The Khalji dynasty of Bengal (c.1203–27) were initially representatives of the Ghurid Empire, later becoming independent, although at times being subordinate to the Delhi Sultanate.

Name Reign Notes
Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji c.1203–1206 Began the Khalji dynasty in Bengal
Muhammad Shiran Khalji 1206–1208
Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji 1208–1210
Ali Mardan Khalji 1210–1212
Ghiyasuddin Iwaz Shah 1212–1227 Second term, killed for gaining independence from Sultan of Delhi Iltutmish
Alauddin Daulat Shah Khalji 1229–1230[30]
Balka Khalji 1230–1231 Last Khalji ruler

Governors of Bengal under Mamluk dynasty (1227–1287)

Governors of Bengal under the Mamluk dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

Name Reign Notes
Nasiruddin Mahmud 1227–1229 Appointed by his father Sultan Iltutmish of Delhi
Alauddin Jani 1232–1233
Saifuddin Aibak 1233–1236
Awar Khan Aibak 1236 Usurper
Tughral Tughan Khan 1236–1246 Restored Mamluk governor
Tughlaq Tamar Khan 1246–1247
Jalaluddin Masud Jani 1247–1251
Malik Ikhtiyaruddin Iuzbak 1251–1257 Claimed independence.
Ijjauddin Balban Iuzbaki 1257–1259
Tatar Khan 1259–1268 Claimed independence.
Sher Khan 1268–1272
Amin Khan 1272–1272
Tughral Tughan Khan 1272–1281 Second term as Mughisuddin Tughral
Nasiruddin Bughra Khan 1281–1287 Declared independence and founded the Balban dynasty

House of Balban

The House of Balban (c.1287–1324) came about as a result of Mamluk governor Nasiruddin Bughra Khan declaring independence.

Name Reign Notes
Nasiruddin Bughra Khan 1287–1291 Declared independence from Delhi Sultanate
Rukunuddin Kaikaus 1291–1300 First Muslim ruler to conquer Satgaon kingdom, expanding Lakhnauti.
Shamsuddin Firoz Shah 1300–1322 First Muslim ruler to conquer Sonargaon, Mymensingh and Srihatta. Completed Kaikaus' Conquest of Satgaon.
Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah 1322–1324 Lost independence of Bengal to Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.

Governors of Bengal under Tughlaq dynasty (1324–1338)
Name Region Reign Notes
Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah Sonargaon 1324–1328 Appointed as governor by Sultan of Delhi Muhammad bin Tughluq, but later declared independence
Bahram Khan Sonargaon 1328–1338
Qadar Khan Lakhnauti 1328–1336
Mukhlis Lakhnauti 1336–1339
Azam Khan Satgaon 1324–1328
Izzuddin Yahya Satgaon 1328–1338

Bengal Sultanate era

Independent Sultans of Bengal during Tughlaq dynasty (1338–1352)
Name Region Reign Notes
Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah Sonargaon 1338–1349 First independent ruler of Sonargaon
Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah Sonargaon 1349–1352
Ilyas Shah Satgaon 1339–1342
Alauddin Ali Shah Lakhnauti 1339–1342
Ilyas Shah Lakhnauti and Satgaon 1342–1352

Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1352–1414)
Main article: Ilyas Shahi dynasty
Name Reign Notes
Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah 1352–1358 Became the first sole ruler of whole Bengal comprising Sonargaon, Satgaon and Lakhnauti.
Sikandar Shah 1358–1390 Killed in battle with his son and successor, Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah
Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah 1390–1411
Saifuddin Hamza Shah 1411–1412
Shihabuddin Bayazid Shah 1412–1414

House of Raja Ganesha (1414–1435)
Name Reign Notes
Raja Ganesha 1414–1415
Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah 1415–1416 Son of Raja Ganesha and converted into Islam
Raja Ganesha 1416–1418 Second Phase
Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah 1418–1433 Second Phase
Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah 1433–1435

Restored Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1435–1487)
Name Reign Notes
Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah 1435–1459
Rukunuddin Barbak Shah 1459–1474 Son of Mahmud Shah
Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah 1474–1481 Son of Barbak Shah
Nuruddin Sikandar Shah 1481 Son of Mahmud Shah
Jalaluddin Fateh Shah 1481–1487 Son of Mahmud Shah

Habshi rule (1487–1494)
Name Reign Notes
Shahzada Barbak 1487
Saifuddin Firuz Shah 1487–1489
Mahmud Shah II 1489–1490
Shamsuddin Muzaffar Shah 1490–1494

Hussain Shahi dynasty (1494–1538)
Name Reign Notes
Alauddin Hussain Shah 1494–1518 considered greatest of all sultans of Bengal for bringing cultural renaissance during his reign.
Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah 1518–1533
Alauddin Firuz Shah 1533
Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah 1533–1538

Governors of Bengal under Sur Empire (1532–1556)
Name Reign Notes
Sher Shah Suri 1532–1538 Defeated Mughals and became the ruler of Delhi in 1540.
Khidr Khan 1538–1541
Qazi Fazilat 1541–1545
Muhammad Khan Sur 1545–1554
Shahbaz Khan 1555

Muhammad Shah dynasty (1554–1564)
Name Reign Notes
Muhammad Khan Sur 1554–1555 Declared independence and styled himself as Shamsuddin Muhammad Shah
Khizr Khan Suri 1555–1561
Ghiyasuddin Jalal Shah 1561–1563
Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah III 1563–1564[31]

Karrani dynasty (1564–1576)
Name Reign Notes
Taj Khan Karrani 1564–1566
Sulaiman Khan Karrani 1566–1572
Bayazid Khan Karrani 1572
Daud Khan Karrani 1572–1576

Mughal Subahdars of Bengal Subah (1574–1717)

During the reign of Akbar
Name Reign Notes
Munim Khan 1574–1575 Khan-i-Khanan
Hussain Quli Khan 1575–1578
Muzaffar Khan Turbati 1579–1580
Mirza Aziz Koka 1582–1583
Wazir Khan Tajik 1583–1583
Shahbaz Khan Kamboh 1583–1585
Sadiq Khan 1585–1586
Shahbaz Khan Kamboh 1586–1587
Sa'id Khan 1587–1594
Raja Man Singh I 1597 – 1606

During the reign of Jahangir
Name Reign Notes
Qutubuddin Koka 2 Sep 1606 – 1607 killed in a battle against Sher Afghan. (Local history of Burdwan, West Bengal, India says that Qutub-ud-din Kokah died in a battle against Ali Quli Istajlu alias Sher Afgan in 1610 CE. The tomb where both of them were buried is presently under the surveillance of Archaeological Survey of India.)
Jahangir Quli Beg 1607–1608 In early life, a slave of Akbar's brother, Mirza Muhammad Hakim
Islam Khan Chishti 1608–1613 first governor to transfer the Bengal capital to Dhaka in April 1612
Qasim Khan Chishti 1613–1617 younger brother of Islam Khan Chishti
Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang 1617–1624 died in an attack by Prince Shahjahan
Darab Khan 1624–1625 while Shahjahan occupied Bengal. Killed by Mahabbat Khan.[32]
Mahabat Khan 1625–1626
Mukarram Khan 1626–1627
Fidai Khan 1627–1628

During the reign of Shah Jahan
Name Reign Notes
Qasim Khan Juvayni 1628–1632
Mir Muhammad Baqir 1632–1635 Known as Azam Khan
Mir Abdus Salam 1635–1639 Known as Islam Khan Mashadi
Prince Shah Shuja 1639–1647 again 1652–1660

During the reign of Aurangzeb
Name Reign Notes
Mir Jumla II 1660–1663
Shaista Khan 1664–1678
Azam Khan Koka 1678–1678 Known as Fidai Khan II
Prince Muhammad Azam 20 July 1678 – 6 October 1679[33]
Shaista Khan 1680–1688
Ibrahim Khan II 1689–1697
Prince Azim-us-Shan 1697–1712

Medieval Hindu dynasties of Bengal
See also: List of Hindu empires and dynasties

Koch dynasty (c. 1515 – 1949 CE)
Main article: Koch dynasty

Rulers of undivided Koch dynasty (c. 1515 – 1586 CE)

Rulers of Koch Bihar (c. 1586 – 1949)
Further information: Cooch Behar State

Kingdom of Bhurshut (c. 16th–18th century)
Main article: Bhurshut

Kingdom of Chandradweep Or Basu Dynasty

Chandradweep Ruled By

  • Raja Paramananda Basu
  • Raja Jagganath Basu
  • Kandarpanarayan Basu ( 1582-1598)
  • Ramchandra Basu
  • Kirtinarayan Basu
  • Basudebnarayan Basu
  • Pratapnarayan Basu

Maharajas of Jessore region
Known rulers are-

Maharaja of Lower Bengal region
Known rulers are

Maharaja of Bhawal region
Main article: Bhawal Estate

Rulers of Gazipur and Madhupur forest are in central Bangladesh.

Nawabs of Bengal

Independent Nawabs of Bengal (1717–1757 CE)
Portrait Titular Name Personal Name Birth Reign Death
Nasiri Dynasty
Ala ud-Daula Murshid Quli Jafar Khan 1665 1717– 1727 30 June 1727
Mirza Asadullah Sarfaraz Khan Bahadur ? 1727–1727 April 1740
Shuja ud-Daula Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan 1670 July 1727 – 26 August 1739 26 August 1739
Mirza Asadullah Sarfaraz Khan Bahadur ? 13 March 1739 – April 1740 April 1740
Afshar Dynasty
Husam ud-Daula Muhammad Alivardi Khan Bahadur 10 May 1671 29 April 1740 – 16 April 1756 16 April 1756
Siraj ud-Daulah Mîrzâ Muhammad Sirâj-ud-Daulah 1733 April 1756 – 2 June 1757 June 1757

Nawabs of Bengal under East India Company (1757–1838 CE)
Portrait Titular Name Personal Name Birth Reign Death
Najafi Dynasty
Ja'afar 'Ali Khan Bahadur Mir Muhammed Jafar Ali Khan 1691 June 1757 – October 1760 17 January 1765
Itimad ud-Daulah Mir Kasim Ali Khan Bahadur ? 1760–1763 1777
Ja'afar 'Ali Khan Bahadur Mir Muhammed Jafar Ali Khan 1691 25 July 1763 – 17 January 1765 17 January 1765
Nazam-ud-Daulah Najimuddin Ali Khan 1750 5 February 1765 – 8 May 1766 8 May 1766
Saif ud-Daulah Najabut Ali Khan 1749 22 May 1766 – 10 March 1770 10 March 1770
Ashraf Ali Khan Before 1759 10 March 1770 – 24 March 1770 24 March 1770
Mubarak ud-Daulah Mubarak Ali Khan 1759 21 March 1770 – 6 September 1793 6 September 1793
Azud ud-Daulah Babar Ali Khan Bahadur ? 1793 – 28 April 1810 28 April 1810
Ali Jah Zain-ud-Din Ali Khan ? 5 June 1810 – 6 August 1821 6 August 1821
Walla Jah Ahmad Ali Khan ? 1810 – 30 October 1824 30 October 1824
Humayun Jah Mubarak Ali Khan II 29 September 1810 1824 – 3 October 1838 3 October 1838
Feradun Jah Mansur Ali Khan 29 October 1830 29 October 1838 –1881 (abdicated) 5 November 1884

Nawabs of Murshidabad
Picture Titular Name Personal Name Birth Reign Death
Najafi Dynasty
Ali Kadir Syed Hassan Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur 25 August 1846 17 February 1882 – 25 December 1906 25 December 1906[35]
Amir ul-Omrah Syed Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur 7 January 1875 December 1906 – 23 October 1959 23 October 1959[36]
Raes ud-Daulah Syed Waris Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur 14 November 1901 23 October 1959 – 20 November 1969 20 November 1969[37]
— — Disputed/In abeyance[38][39] — 20 November 1969 – 13 August 2014 —
— Syed Mohammed Abbas Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur Circa 1942 13 August 2014 – Incumbent (titular)[38][39] —

East India Company governors in Bengal

Governors of British East India Company in Bengal (1757–1793)

As per the treaty of Allahabad in 1765, the British East India Company (BEIC) was given the right to collect revenue (Diwani right). From 1769, the company collected revenue from Bengal.

Governors-General of British East India Company in Bengal – Dual government (1773–1774)

Following the Regulating Act of 1773, the Governor of Bengal was officially called Governor-General of Fort William.

Governors-General of British East India Company in Bengal (1793–1854)

In 1793, the British East India Company abolished Nizamat, i.e. local rule by Mughal emperor- appointed Nawabs and annexed Bengal.

Governor-Generals of British East India Company (1833–1858)

As per Charter Act of 1833, the Governor-General of Bengal would be called Governor-General of India

British Raj era
1855 British Bengal missions
1880 British Bengal province

With the establishment of the Empire of India in 1858, the position of Governor-General was replaced with Governor-General and Viceroy of India. Calcutta, the capital of Bengal also became the capital of India. As a result, the position of Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal was established to look after provincial matters.

Lieutenant-Governors (1858–1912)

Governors (1912–1947)

In late 1911, the Indian Government decided to move the capital to New Delhi. As a result, the Governorship of Bengal Presidency was now necessary.

Name Took office Left office
Thomas Gibson-Carmichael, 1st Baron Carmichael 1912 1917
Lawrence Dundas, Earl of Ronaldshay 1917 1922
Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton 1922 1927
Sir Stanley Jackson 1927 1932
Sir John Anderson 1932 1937
Michael Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne 1937 1938
Sir John Arthur Herbert 1939 1943
Richard Casey 1944 1946
Sir Frederick Burrows 1946 1947

Prime Minister of Bengal (1937–1947)
Main article: Prime Minister of Bengal

The Government of India Act 1935 introduced provincial autonomy in India and the position of Chief Minister or Premier of Bengal became very prominent.

Office holders
Writer's Building in Kolkata, the former seat of the Government of undivided Bengal
The mausoleum of Huq, Nazimuddin and Suhrawardy in Dhaka
NoNameImageTerm(s)[40]PartyGovernorViceroy
1Sher-e-Bangla
A. K. Fazlul Huq		1 April 1937 – 1 December 1941
12 December 1941 – 29 March 1943		Krishak Praja PartySir John Arthur HerbertThe Marquess of Linlithgow
2Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin29 April 1943 – 31 March 1945Bengal Provincial Muslim LeagueSir John Arthur Herbert (−1944)
Sir Richard Casey (1944–)		The Marquess of Linlithgow
The Viscount Wavell
3H. S. Suhrawardy23 April 1946 – 14 August 1947Bengal Provincial Muslim LeagueSir Richard Casey (−1946)
Sir Frederick Burrows		The Viscount Wavell
Earl Mountbatten

Subsequently, all three Bengali chief ministers moved to East Pakistan, where they continued to be influential statesmen. Nazimuddin and Suhrawardy became Prime Ministers of Pakistan, while Huq served as the Chief Minister and Governor of East Pakistan.

After Independence of India and Pakistan

British colonial period ended when India and Pakistan became independent nations in 1947. Bengal fell into two parts – one in India, named West Bengal and the other part in Pakistan as East Bengal, later renamed to East Pakistan in 1955.

Governors of East Bengal (1947–1955)
TenureGovernor of East Bengal
15 August 1947 – 31 March 1950Sir Frederick Chalmers Bourne
31 March 1950 – 31 March 1953Sir Feroz Khan Noon
31 March 1953 – 29 May 1954Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman
29 May 1954 – May 1955Iskandar Ali Mirza
May 1955 – June 1955Muhammad Shahabuddin (acting)
June 1955 – 14 October 1955Amiruddin Ahmad

Chief Minister of East Bengal (1947–1955)
TenureChief Minister of East BengalPolitical Party
August 1947 – September 1948Sir Khwaja NazimuddinMuslim League
September 1948 – April 1954Nurul AminMuslim League
April 1954 – 1955Abul Kasem Fazlul HuqUnited Front

Governors of East Pakistan (1955–1971)

In late 1954, the prime minister Muhammad Ali Bogra initiated the One Unit policy which resulted in East Bengal province being renamed to East Pakistan.

TenureGovernor of East Pakistan Political Affiliation
14 October 1955 – March 1956Amiruddin AhmadMuslim League
March 1956 – 13 April 1958A. K. Fazlul HuqMuslim League
13 April 1958 – 3 May 1958Hamid Ali (acting)Awami League
3 May 1958 – 10 October 1958Sultanuddin AhmadAwami League
10 October 1958 – 11 April 1960Zakir HusainMuslim League
11 April 1960 – 11 May 1962Lieutenant-General Azam Khan, PAMilitary Administration
11 May 1962 – 25 October 1962Ghulam FaruqueIndependent
25 October 1962 – 23 March 1969Abdul Monem KhanCivil Administration
23 March 1969 – 25 March 1969Mirza Nurul HudaCivil Administration
25 March 1969 – 23 August 1969Major-General Muzaffaruddin,[41] PAMilitary Administration
23 August 1969 – 1 September 1969Lieutenant-General Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, PAMilitary Administration
1 September 1969 – 7 March 1971Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan, PNMilitary Administration
7 March 1971 – 6 April 1971Lieutenant-General Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, PAMilitary Administration
6 April 1971 – 31 August 1971Lieutenant-General Tikka Khan, PAMilitary Administration
31 August 1971 – 14 December 1971Abdul Motaleb MalikIndependent
14 December 1971 – 16 December 1971Lieutenant-General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, PAMilitary Administration

Chief Minister of East Pakistan (1955–1971)
TenureChief Minister of East PakistanPolitical Party
August 1955 – September 1956Abu Hussain SarkarKrishan Sramik Party
September 1956 – March 1958Ataur Rahman KhanAwami League
March 1958Abu Hussain SarkarKrishan Sramik Party
March 1958 – 18 June 1958Ataur Rahman KhanAwami League
18 June 1958 – 22 June 1958Abu Hussain SarkarKrishan Sramik Party
22 June 1958 – 25 August 1958Governor's Rule
25 August 1958 – 7 October 1958Ataur Rahman KhanAwami League

On 7 October 1958, the post of Chief Minister of East Pakistan was abolished. And after the independence of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971, the province of East Pakistan was dissolved.

Governors of West Bengal
Sl. No. Name Took office Left office
1 Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari 15 August 1947 21 June 1948
2 Kailash Nath Katju 21 June 1948 1 November 1951
3 Harendra Coomar Mookerjee 1 November 1951 8 August 1956
- Phani Bhusan Chakravartti (acting) 8 August 1956 3 November 1956
4 Padmaja Naidu 3 November 1956 1 June 1967
5 Dharma Vira 1 June 1967 1 April 1969
- Deep Narayan Sinha (acting) 1 April 1969 19 September 1969
6 Shanti Swaroop Dhavan 19 September 1969 21 August 1971
7 Anthony Lancelot Dias 21 August 1971 6 November 1979
8 Tribhuvana Narayana Singh 6 November 1979 12 September 1981
9 Bhairab Dutt Pande 12 September 1981 10 October 1983
10 Anant Prasad Sharma 10 October 1983 16 August 1984
- Satish Chandra (acting) 16 August 1984 1 October 1984
11 Uma Shankar Dikshit 1 October 1984 12 August 1986
12 Saiyid Nurul Hasan 12 August 1986 20 March 1989
13 T. V. Rajeswar 20 March 1989 7 February 1990
(12) Saiyid Nurul Hasan 7 February 1990 12 July 1993
- B. Satyanarayan Reddy (additional charge) 13 July 1993 14 August 1993
14 K. V. Raghunatha Reddy 14 August 1993 27 April 1998
15 Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai 27 April 1998 18 May 1999
16 Shyamal Kumar Sen 18 May 1999 4 December 1999
17 Viren J. Shah 4 December 1999 14 December 2004
18 Gopalkrishna Gandhi 14 December 2004 14 December 2009
- Devanand Konwar (additional charge) 14 December 2009 23 January 2010
19 M.K. Narayanan 24 January 2010 30 June 2014
- D. Y. Patil (additional charge)[42] 3 July 2014 17 July 2014
20 Keshari Nath Tripathi 24 July 2014 29 July 2019
21 Jagdeep Dhankhar[43] 30 July 2019 17 July 2022
- La. Ganesan (additional charge) 18 July 2022 22 November 2022
22 C. V. Ananda Bose 23 November 2022 Incumbent

Chief Ministers of West Bengal
Key: INC
Indian National Congress		 BC (UF)
Bangla Congress (United Front)		 CPI(M)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)		 AITC
All India Trinamool Congress
# Name Took Office Left Office Political Party
1 Prafulla Chandra Ghosh 15 August 1947 14 January 1948 INC
2 Bidhan Chandra Roy 14 January 1948 1 July 1962 INC
President's rule 1 July 1962 8 July 1962
3 Prafulla Chandra Sen 8 July 1962 15 March 1967 INC
4 Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee 15 March 1967 2 November 1967 BC (UF)
(1) Prafulla Chandra Ghosh 2 November 1967 20 February 1968 Independent (Progressive Democratic Alliance)
President's rule 20 February 1968 25 February 1969
(4) Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee 25 February 1969 19 March 1970 BC (UF)
President's rule 19 March 1970 2 April 1971
(4) Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee 2 April 1971 28 June 1971 INC
President's rule 28 June 1971 19 March 1972
5 Siddhartha Shankar Ray 19 March 1972 21 June 1977 INC
6 Jyoti Basu 21 June 1977 6 November 2000 CPI(M) (Left Front)
7 Buddhadeb Bhattacharya 6 November 2000 13 May 2011 CPI(M) (Left Front)
8 Mamata Banerjee 20 May 2011 Incumbent AITC

After independence of Bangladesh

East Pakistan seceded from West Pakistan on 16 December 1971 after the end of Bangladesh Liberation War and was named Bangladesh as an independent nation.

The President was the executive Head of state of Bangladesh during Presidential system of government from 1975 to 1991. Thereafter, the Prime Minister is the executive head of government of this parliamentary republic while the President is the ceremonial Head of state, elected by the parliament.

Key
Political parties
  •   Bangladesh Awami League / BAKSAL
  •   Bangladesh Nationalist Party
  •   Jatiya Party
Other factions
Status
  •   Acting President

Presidents of Bangladesh
N # Name
(Birth–Death)		 Elected Term of office Party
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(1920–1975)[lower-alpha 1]		 — 17 April 1971 12 January 1972 Bangladesh Awami League
Syed Nazrul Islam
(1925–1975)[lower-alpha 2]		 — 17 April 1971 12 January 1972 Bangladesh Awami League
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury
(1921–1987)		 — 12 January 1972 24 December 1973 Bangladesh Awami League
Mohammad Mohammadullah
(1921–1999)		 — 24 December 1973 27 January 1974 Bangladesh Awami League
1974 27 January 1974 25 January 1975
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(1920–1975)		 — 25 January 1975 15 August 1975
(assassinated in a coup d'état.)		 BAKSAL
Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad
(1918–1996)		 — 15 August 1975 6 November 1975
(deposed.)		 Bangladesh Awami League
Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem
(1916–1997)[lower-alpha 3]		 — 6 November 1975 21 April 1977 Bangladesh Awami League
Ziaur Rahman
(1936–1981)[lower-alpha 4]		 1977[lower-alpha 5]
1978[lower-alpha 6]		 21 April 1977 30 May 1981
(assassinated.)		 Military /
Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Abdus Sattar
(1906–1985)		 — 30 May 1981 20 November 1981 Bangladesh Nationalist Party
1981[lower-alpha 6] 20 November 1981 24 March 1982
(deposed.)
Hussain Muhammad Ershad

(1930–2019)[lower-alpha 7]

 24 March 1982 27 March 1982 Military
Ahsanuddin Chowdhury
(1915–2001)		 — 27 March 1982 10 December 1983 Independent
Hussain Muhammad Ershad
(1930–2019)[lower-alpha 8]		 1985[lower-alpha 5]
1986[lower-alpha 6]		 11 December 1983 6 December 1990 Military /
Jatiya Party
Shahabuddin Ahmed
(born 1930)		 — 6 December 1990 10 October 1991 Independent
Abdur Rahman Biswas
(1926–2017)		 1991 10 October 1991 9 October 1996 Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Shahabuddin Ahmed
(born 1930)		 1996 9 October 1996 14 November 2001 Independent
Badruddoza Chowdhury
(born 1932)		 2001 14 November 2001 21 June 2002 Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar
(born 1931)		 — 21 June 2002 6 September 2002 Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Iajuddin Ahmed
(1931–2012)		 2002 6 September 2002 12 February 2009 Independent
Moeen U Ahmed 11 January 2007 12 January 2007 Military
Zillur Rahman
(1929–2013)		 2009 12 February 2009 20 March 2013
(died in office.)		 Bangladesh Awami League
Abdul Hamid
(born 1944)		 — 14 March 2013 24 April 2013 Bangladesh Awami League
2013 24 April 2013 24 April 2018
2018 24 April 2018 6 January 2023
Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury

(born 1966)

 — 6 January 2023 24 April 2023 Bangladesh Awami League
Shahabuddin Chuppu

(born 1949)

 2023 24 April 2023 Incumbent Bangladesh Awami League

Prime Ministers of Bangladesh
Name
(Birth–Death)		 Portrait Election Term of office Tenure Party
Tajuddin Ahmad
(1925–1975)		 — 11 April 1971 12 January 1972 276 days Bangladesh Awami League
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(1920–1975)		 1973 12 January 1972 25 January 1975 3 years, 13 days Bangladesh Awami League
Muhammad Mansur Ali
(1919–1975)		 — 25 January 1975 15 August 1975
(deposed.)		 202 days BAKSAL
Post abolished (15 August 1975 – 29 June 1978)
Mashiur Rahman
(1924–1979)[lower-alpha 9]		 — 29 June 1978 12 March 1979
(died in office.)		 256 days Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Shah Azizur Rahman
(1925–1988)		 1979 15 April 1979 24 March 1982
(deposed.)		 2 years, 343 days Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Post abolished (24 March 1982 – 30 March 1984)
Ataur Rahman Khan
(1907–1991)		 — 30 March 1984 9 July 1986 2 years, 101 days Jatiya Party
Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury
(1928–2006)		 1986 9 July 1986 27 March 1988 1 year, 262 days Jatiya Party
Moudud Ahmed
(born 1940)		 1988 27 March 1988 12 August 1989 1 year, 138 days Jatiya Party
Kazi Zafar Ahmed
(1939–2015)		 — 12 August 1989 6 December 1990 1 year, 116 days Jatiya Party
Post abolished (6 December 1990 – 20 March 1991)
Khaleda Zia
(born 1945)		 1991
1996 (Feb)		 20 March 1991 30 March 1996 5 years, 10 days Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Muhammad Habibur Rahman
(1928–2014)		 — 30 March 1996 23 June 1996 85 days Independent
Sheikh Hasina
(born 1947)		 1996 (Jun) 23 June 1996 15 July 2001 5 years, 22 days Bangladesh Awami League
Latifur Rahman
(1936–2017)		 — 15 July 2001 10 October 2001 87 days Independent
Khaleda Zia
(born 1945)		 2001 10 October 2001 29 October 2006 5 years, 19 days Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Iajuddin Ahmed
(1931–2012)[lower-alpha 10]		 — 29 October 2006 11 January 2007 74 days Independent
Fazlul Haque
(born 1938)[lower-alpha 11]		 — 11 January 2007 12 January 2007 1 day Independent
Fakhruddin Ahmed
(born 1940)		 — 12 January 2007 6 January 2009 1 year, 360 days Independent
Sheikh Hasina
(born 1947)		 2008
2014
2018		 6 January 2009 Incumbent 14 years, 294 days Bangladesh Awami League

See also

Notes
  1. Pakistani prisoner to 8 January 1972.
  2. Acting for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
  3. Also Chief Martial Law Administrator (24 August 1975 – 4 November 1975 and 7 November 1975 – 29 November 1976).
  4. Also Chief Martial Law Administrator (29 November 1976 – 6 April 1979).
  5. Referendum.
  6. Direct election.
  7. Served as Chief Martial Law Administrator until 30 March 1984.
  8. Served as Chief Martial Law Administrator until 30 March 1984.
  9. Senior Minister.
  10. Simultaneously served as President.
  11. Acting Chief Adviser.

References
  1. "Gangaridai". Banglapedia. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. Majumdar, R. C. (1973). History of Mediaeval Bengal. Calcutta: G. Bharadwaj & Co. pp. 1–2. OCLC 1031074. Tradition gives him credit for the conquest of Bengal but as a matter of fact he could not subjugate the greater part of Bengal ... All that Bakhtyār can justly take credit for is that by his conquest of Western and a part of Northern Bengal he laid the foundation of the Muslim State in Bengal. The historians of the 13th century never attributed the conquest of the whole of Bengal to Bakhtyār.
  3. Arnold, Thomas Walker (1913) [First published 1896]. The Preaching of Islam: A History of the Propagation of the Muslim Faith (2nd ed.). London: Constable & Company. p. 227.
  4. Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 68–102. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
  5. Nanda, J. N (2005). Bengal: the unique state. Concept Publishing Company. p. 10. 2005. ISBN 978-81-8069-149-2. Bengal [...] was rich in the production and export of grain, salt, fruit, liquors and wines, precious metals, and ornaments besides the output of its handlooms in silk and cotton. Europe referred to Bengal as the richest country to trade with.
  6. "The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa" Translated into English Prose, Bharata Press, Calcutta (1883–1896)
  7. Digha Nikaya
  8. The Garuda Purana 55.12; V.D. I.9.4; the Markendeya Purana 56.16–18
  9. "West Bengal | History, Culture, Map, Capital, & Population | Britannica".
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