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.
In the 4th century BCE, during the reign of the Nanda Empire, the powerful rulers of Gangaridai sent their forces consisting of war elephants which led to the withdrawal of Alexander the Great from the Indian subcontinent.
With the rise of Gopala in 750 AD, Bengal was united once more under the Buddhist and Shaivite 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 developed under them including its first literary work, the Charyapada and so on. They ruled Bengal until the 12th century, before being succeeded by the Buddhist and Hindu Chandra dynasty, Sena dynasty and Deva dynasty. The rule of the Sena and Deva dynasty extended over various parts of Bengal, until the arrival of Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji as part of the Ghurid Invasion of Bengal. [citation needed]
In the early 13th century, Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji conquered the Western and parts of Northern Bengal, and established the first Muslim kingdom in Bengal. The Delhi Sultanate, under various Islamic dynasties such as the Mamluk Sultanate, the Khalji dynasty, the Turko-Indian Tughlaq dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty and the Lodi dynasty ruled over various parts Bengal for some 300 years, interrupted and frequently challenged by local muslim rulers of Bengal.
The Bengal Sultanate, a major trading nation in the world, was founded in 1342 by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, after he united Satgaon, Lakhnauti and Sonargaon. The Ilyas Shahi dynasty ruled Bengal for nearly 150 years. The Hussain Shahi dynasty founded by Alauddin Husain Shah, reached its greatest territorial extent which saw the extension of the sultanate from modern Bihar and Odisha in the west, to Kamaraupa and the port of Chittagong in the east, witnessing the arrival of the earliest Portuguese merchants.
Ancient Bengal
Ancient geopolitical divisions
| Ancient region | Modern region |
|---|---|
| Pundravardhana | Rajshahi Division and Rangpur Division in Bangladesh; Malda division of West Bengal in India |
| Vanga | Khulna Division and Barisal Division in Bangladesh; West of the Padma river. |
| Tirabhukti | Mithila area of India and Nepal |
| Gauda | Modern Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal, India |
| Suhma | Burdwan division, Medinipur division and Presidency division of West Bengal in India |
| Rarh | Corresponds to the modern Bardhaman, Bankura, Hooghly and Nadia districts of West Bengal in India |
| Samatata | Dhaka Division, Barisal Division and Chittagong Division in Bangladesh |
| Harikela | Sylhet Division, Chittagong Division, Dhaka Division and Barisal 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.
- Bengal from c. 1100 to c. 600 BCE
- Bengal from c. 600 to c. 350 BCE
- Bengal in c. 350 BCE
Anga kingdom (c. 1100–530 BCE)
The earliest mention occurs in the Atharvaveda (V.22.14) where they are listed alongside the Magadhas, Gandharis and the Mujavatas. Anga was annexed by Magadha in the time of Bimbisara. This was the one and only conquest of Bimbisara.
Known Anga rulers include:
- Maharaj Anga – (founder of the kingdom and son of King Bali)
- Romapada
- Brihadratha
- Angaraj Karna
- Vrishaketu – (son of Karna)
- Tamralipta
- Lomapada
- Chitraratha
- Vrihadratha
- Vasuhoma
- Dhatarattha
- Dhadivahana
- Brahmadatta – (last king of Anga kingdom)
Vanga kingdom (c. 1100–340 BCE)
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).
Known Vanga rulers are:
- Samudrasena
- Chandrasena
- Karna
- Bhagabhatta
Pundra kingdom (c. 1100–340 BCE)
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.
Known Pundra rulers are:
- Paundraka Vasudeva
Suhma kingdom (c. 1100–340 BCE)
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.
Videha dynasty of Mithila (Tirabhukti) (c. 1100–700 BCE)
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.
Mithila region firstly ruled by Videha dynasty. There were 52 Janaka (kings) ruled Videha dynasty of Mithila-
- Mithi (founder of Mithila and the first Janaka)
- Udavasu
- Nandivardhana
- Suketu
- Devarata
- Brihadvrata
- Mahavira
- Sudhriti
- Dristaketu
- Haryasva
- Maru
- Pratindhaka
- Kritiratha
- Devamidha
- Vibhuta
- Mahidhrata
- Kirtirata
- Mahorama
- Swarnorama
- Hrisvaroma
- Seeradhwaja
- Bhaanumaan
- Shatadyumn
- Shuchi
- Oorjnaamaa
- Kriti
- Anjan
- Kurujit
- Arishtnemi
- Shrutaayu
- Supaarshwa
- Srinjaya
- Kshemaavee
- Anenaa
- Bhaumarath
- Satyarath
- Upagu
- Upagupt
- Swaagat
- Swaanand
- Suvarchaa
- Supaarshwa
- Subhaash
- Sushrut
- Jaya
- Vijaya
- Rit
- Sunaya
- Veetahavya
- Dhriti
- Bahulaashwa
- 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 eighth century BCE.
Gangaridai kingdom (c. 350–100 BCE)
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.
Magadha dynasties of Bengal
Brihadratha dynasty (c. 1700–682 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) |
|---|---|
| Brihadratha | – BCE |
| Jarasandha | – BCE |
| Sahadeva of Magadha | – BCE |
| Somadhi | 1661–1603 BCE |
| Srutasravas | 1603–1539 BCE |
| Ayutayus | 1539–1503 BCE |
| Niramitra | 1503–1463 BCE |
| Sukshatra | 1463–1405 BCE |
| Brihatkarman | 1405–1382 BCE |
| Senajit | 1382–1332 BCE |
| Srutanjaya | 1332–1292 BCE |
| Vipra | 1292–1257 BCE |
| Suchi | 1257–1199 BCE |
| Kshemya | 1199–1171 BCE |
| Subrata | 1171–1107 BCE |
| Dharma | 1107–1043 BCE |
| Susuma | 1043–970 BCE |
| Dridhasena | 970–912 BCE |
| Sumati | 912–879 BCE |
| Subala | 879–857 BCE |
| Sunita | 857–817 BCE |
| Satyajit | 817–767 BCE |
| Viswajit | 767–732 BCE |
| Ripunjaya | 732–682 BCE |
(Ripunjaya was the last ruler of dynasty, dethroned by Pradyota in 682 BCE)
Pradyota dynasty (c. 682–544 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Pradyota Mahasena | 682–659 BCE | 23 |
| Gopāla (Abdicated) | 659 BCE | ~1 |
| Palaka | 659–635 BCE | 24 |
| Aryaka | ? | ? |
| Visakhayupa | 635–585 BCE | 50 |
| Ajaka | 585–564 BCE | 21 |
| Varttivarddhana | 564–544 BCE | 20 |
(Varttivarddhana was the last ruler of the dynasty and was dethroned by Bimbisara in 544 BCE)
Haryanka dynasty (c. 544–413 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) |
|---|---|
| Bimbisara | 544–492 BCE |
| Ajatashatru | 492–460 BCE |
| Udayin | 460–444 BCE |
| Anirudha | 444–440 BCE |
| Munda | 440–437 BCE |
| Darshaka | 437 BCE |
| Nāgadāsaka | 437–413 BCE |
(Nāgadāsaka was the last ruler of the dynasty and was overthrown by Shishunaga in 413 BCE)
Shishunaga dynasty (c. 413–345 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) |
|---|---|
| Shishunaga | 413–395 BCE |
| Kalashoka | 395–377 BCE |
| Kshemadharman | 377–365 BCE |
| Kshatraujas | 365–355 BCE |
| Nandivardhana | 355–349 BCE |
| Mahanandin | 349–345 BCE |
(Mahanandin lost his empire to his illegitimate son Mahapadma Nanda in 345 BCE)
Nanda Empire (c. 345–322 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) |
|---|---|
| Mahapadma Nanda | 345–340 BCE |
| Pandukananda | 340–339 BCE |
| Pandugatinanda | 339–338 BCE |
| Bhutapalananda | 338–337 BCE |
| Rashtrapalananada | 337–336 BCE |
| Govishanakananda | 336–335 BCE |
| Dashasiddhakananda | 335–334 BCE |
| Kaivartananda | 334–329 BCE |
| Dhana Nanda | 329–321 BCE |
(Dhana Nanda lost his empire to Chandragupta Maurya after being defeated by him in 322 BCE)
Maurya Empire (c. 322–184 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandragupta Maurya | 322–297 BCE | He was the founder of the first united Indian empire. | |
| Bindusara Amitraghata | 297–273 BCE | Acknowledged by Taranatha, a Tibetan Buddhist Lama, for his foreign diplomacy, and territorial conquests. His Sanskrit name "Amitraghata" means "Slayer of Enemies". | |
| Ashoka | 268–232 BCE | He was the greatest emperor of the dynasty. His son Kunala was blinded and passed away before him. Ashoka was succeeded by his grandson Samprati. He is also known for emerging victorious in the Kalinga war and repenting the sorrow and violence he had caused, leading to him turning to Buddhism. He sent his eldest son Mahendra (according to Sri Lankan traditions) and his only daughter Sanghamitra (also according to Sri Lankan traditions) to the Kingdom of Anuradhapura as Buddhist missionaries. | |
| Dasharatha Maurya | 232–224 BCE | Brother of Ashoka. | |
| Samprati | 224–215 BCE | Grandson of Ashoka and son of Kunala. | |
| Shalishuka | 215–202 BCE | Son of Samprati | |
| Devavarman | 202–195 BCE | Son of Shalishuka | |
| Shatadhanvan | 195–187 BCE | The Mauryan Empire had diminished by the time of his reign. | |
| Brihadratha | 187–184 BCE | Assassinated by his Commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shunga belonging to the Shunga Empire in 185 BCE. | |
(Brihadratha was the last ruler of dynasty, dethroned by Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE)
Shunga Empire (c. 185–73 BCE)
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) |
|---|---|
| Pushyamitra Shunga | 185–149 BCE |
| Agnimitra | 149–141 BCE |
| Vasujyeshtha | 141–131 BCE |
| Vasumitra | 131–124 BCE |
| Bhadraka | 124–122 BCE |
| Pulindaka | 122–119 BCE |
| Ghosha | 119–108 BCE |
| Vajramitra | 108–94 BCE |
| Bhagabhadra | 94–83 BCE |
| Devabhuti | 83–73 BCE |
(Devabhuti was the last ruler of the dynasty dethroned by Vasudeva Kanva in 73 BCE)
Kanva dynasty (c. 73–28 BCE)
- 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 the Satavahana Empire)
Classical Era
Chandra dynasty (c. 202–1050 CE)
The Chandra Kingdom, which ruled the Vanga-Samatata region of Bengal, as well as northern Arakan. Later it was a neighbour to the Pala Empire to the north. Rulers of the Chandra kingdom were followers of Hinduism.
- 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 |
Pushkarana Kingdom (c. 4th century CE)
- Simhavarman
- Chandravarman
Gupta Empire (c. 240–550 CE)
- Rulers-
- Sri-Gupta I (240–280), the founder of the dynasty.
- Ghatotkacha (280–319)
- Chandra Gupta I (320–335)
- Samudra Gupta (335–380)
- Rama Gupta (6 Months)
- Chandra Gupta II (Chandragupta Vikramaditya) (380–413/415)
- Kumara Gupta I (415–455)
- Skanda Gupta (455–467)
- Puru Gupta(467–473)
- Kumara Gupta II (473–476)
- Buddha Gupta (476–495)
- Narasimha Gupta(495–540)
- Vainyagupta (~507)
- Kumara Gupta III (500–540)
- Vishnugupta (540–550), the last imperial Gupta ruler.
Independent Vanga Kingdom (c. 525–575 CE)
- Gopachandra
- Dharmadiya
- Samachardeva
Jaintia kingdom (c. 525–1835 CE)
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)
Gauda kingdom (c. 550–626 CE)
- Rulers-
- Early Gauda rulers are unknown
- Shashanka (590–625), the first recorded independent Hindu king of Bengal, who created the first unified polity in Bengal.
- Manava (625–626), ruled for 8 months before being defeated by Harshavardana and Bhaskarvarmana in 626 CE.
Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) Empire (c. 606–647 CE)
- 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)
| Titular Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Khadgodyama (খড়্গোদ্যম) | 625–640 | Father of Jatakhadga |
| Jatakhadga (জাতখড়্গ) | 640–658 | Father of Devakhadga |
| Devakhadga (দেবখড়্গ) | 658–673 | Queen Prabhavati (প্রভাবতী) |
| Rajabhatta (রাজভট্ট) | 673–707 | Son of Devakhadga |
| Balabhatta (বলভট্ট) | 707–716 | Son of Devakhadga |
| Udirnakhadga (উদীর্ণখড়্গ) | ?? |
- Rulers
Bhadra dynasty (6th to 7th century)
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. 694–1147 CE)
- Rulers-
| Name of the king | 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)
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. Based on their different interpretations of the various epigraphs and historical records, different historians estimate the Pala chronology as follows:
| RC Majumdar (1971) | AM Chowdhury (1967) | BP Sinha (1977)[failed verification] | DC Sircar (1975–76) | D. K. Ganguly (1994) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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)
The Sena dynasty ruled southwestern Bengal from 1070 and ruled East Bengal until 1230. Vijaya Sena conquered the entirety of Bengal by 1154 CE.
- Rulers-
- Hemanta Sena (1070–1096)
- Vijaya Sena (1096–1159)
- Ballala Sena (1159–1179)
- Lakshmana Sena (1179–1206)
- Vishvarupa Sena (1206–1225)
- Keshava Sena (1225–1230)
Deva dynasty (c. 1150–1294 CE)
- 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. 1204-27) 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.1204–1206 | Began the Khalji dynasty in Bengal, established Devkot and Lakhnauti as capital, assassinated by Ali Mardan Khalji who briefly took power before being ousted by Shiran Khalji. |
| Muhammad Shiran Khalji | 1206–1208 | Comrade of Bakhtiyar Khalji. Lost the power struggle with Ali Mardan, and fled to East Bengal where he died. |
| Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji | 1208–1210 | Assumed the throne, but soon acknowledged Ali Mardan as sovereign when he returned from Delhi with an army given by Qutbuddin Aybek. |
| Ali Mardan Khalji | 1210–1212 | Soon after ascension went mad. Deposed by Iwaz. |
| Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji as Ghiyasuddin Iwaz Shah | 1212–1227 | Second term, built mosques and flood embankments. Known as a just and powerful ruler. Killed for rebelling against Sultan of Delhi Iltutmish |
| Alauddin Daulat Shah Khalji | 1229–1230 | |
| Balka Khalji | 1230–1231 | Grandson of Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji. Last Khalji ruler, deposed and executed by Iltutmish, Bengal annexed to Delhi sultanate |
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 | |
| 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 | Second son of the sultan of Delhi, Ghiyasuddin Balban. 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. Father of the then sultan of Delhi, Kaiqubad. |
| Rukunuddin Kaikaus | 1291–1300 | Second son of Bughra Khan. First Muslim ruler to conquer Satgaon kingdom, expanding Lakhnauti. |
| Shamsuddin Firoz Shah | 1300–1322 | Either a relative or an advisor of Ruknuddin Kaikaus, ascended the throne in probable absence of an heir, ruled jointly with six adult sons. First Muslim ruler to conquer Sonargaon, Mymensingh and Srihatta. Completed Kaikaus' Conquest of Satgaon. |
| Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah | 1322–1324 | Son of Firoz Shah. 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 | Satgaon | 1324–1328 | |
| Izzuddin Yahya | Satgaon | 1328–1338 | |
| Bahram Khan | Sonargaon | 1328–1338 | |
| Qadar Khan | Lakhnauti | 1324–1340 |
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 and the Founder of Mubarak shahi dynasty |
| Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah the last Sultan of mubarak shahi dynasty | 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)
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah | 1352–1358 | Became the first sole ruler of the entirety of Bengal, comprising Sonargaon, Satgaon and Lakhnauti. Raided Nepal, defeated Orissa and Assam, defended Bengal against invaders from Delhi Sultanate. |
| Sikandar Shah | 1358–1390 | Oldest son of Ilyas Shah and his wife Phulwara Begum. Repelled invasion from Delhi under Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Killed in battle with his son and successor, Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah |
| Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah | 1390–1411 | Son of Sikandar Shah. Known for his justice and contribution to literature. His reign marks the high point of Ilyas Shahi dynasty. |
| Saifuddin Hamza Shah | 1411–1412 | Son of Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah. Succeeded his father, but was assassinated. |
| Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah bin Hamza Shah | 1413 | His coins were minted from Muazzamabad. Noman Nasir theorizes, based on numismatic evidence, that he was a son of Hamza Shah. Assassinated by either his half-brother or his father's slave, Shihabuddin Bayazid Shah on the orders of the landlord of Dinajpur, Raja Ganesha. |
| Shihabuddin Bayazid Shah | 1412–1414 | Either a son or a slave of Saifuddin Hamza Shah. Was deposed. |
| Alauddin Firuz Shah I | 1414–1416 | Infant son of Shihabuddin Bayazid Shah, while Raja Ganesh ruled the kingdom as regent. Soon deposed in favor of Raja Ganesh. |
In 2009 a coin of a ruler named Nasiruddin Ibrahim Shah was found in Bangladesh, which was struck in 818 AH (around 1416 CE). It is possible he was a claimant to the throne. Undated coin of another ruler called Siraj-al Din Sikandar Shah was found in southwestern Bengal in 2014. MD. Sharif Islam theorizes that this Siraj-al Din is the same Siraj-al Din mentioned by Riyaz As Salatin, who was a judge serving under Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah.
House of Raja Ganesha (1414–1435)
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raja Ganesha | 1414–1415 | Jamindar of Bhaturia. Was immensely powerful during the last days of the Ilyas Shahis-at first ruled by keeping Alauddin Firuz Shah as a puppet. Abdicated in fear of a Jaunpuri invasion and converted his son to Islam. |
| Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah | 1415–1416 | Son of Raja Ganesha and converted into Islam. His father ruled behind the scenes till saint Nur Qutb-i-Alam's death. |
| Raja Ganesha | 1416–1418 | Second Phase. After the saint's death deposed his son, reconverted him to Hinduism and reascended the throne taking the name Danujamardanadeva. |
| Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah | 1418–1433 | Second Phase. After his father's death he ascended the throne, reconverting to Islam. Persecuted Hindus. An able ruler, he conquered and vassalized Arakan, established diplomatic relations with Kashmir, the Timurids and China. |
| Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah | 1433–1435 | Son of Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah, ascended the throne at 14. Was assassinated by his slave Nasir Khan and Shadi Khan. |
Two ephemeral rulers: Qutbuddin Azam Shah and Ghiyasuddin Nusrat Shah ruled Eastern Bengal for a brief period and struck coins from Muazzamabad (modern Sonargaon) in AH 837 (1434 CE). Siraj-al Din Sikandar Shah is only known from his undated coins, it is possible he belongs to this time period. It is not known if any of them were related to Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah or the Ilyas Shahis.
Restored Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1435–1487)
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah | 1435–1459 | A descendant of Ilyas Shahis. Ascended the throne after putting Nasir Khan and Shadi Khan to death. Ruled over a prosperous state and constructed mosques and palaces throughout Bengal. The oldest building in Dhaka dates from his reign. |
| Rukunuddin Barbak Shah | 1459–1474 | Oldest son of Mahmud Shah. An energetic ruler, defeated Kapilendra Deva of Orissa and raided Kamtapur, Bihar and Tripura, resulting in an all-round expansion of Bengal. |
| Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah | 1474–1481 | Son of Barbak Shah. Well-known for his justice. |
| Nuruddin Sikandar Shah | 1481 | Son of Mahmud Shah, succeeded his nephew but was soon deposed in favor of his brother, Fateh. |
| Jalaluddin Fateh Shah | 1481–1487 | Son of Mahmud Shah. Tried to reign in the Habshis, who were becoming powerful and had started to interfere in royal affairs. Assassinated by his Habshi slave, Shahzada Barbak. |
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 to be one of the greatest rulers in Bengali history for military expansion, economic prosperity and cultural renaissance during his reign. Conquered and annexed Kamtapur, Kamrup, Chittagong and parts of Arakan, Jaunpur and Tripura, defeated Orissa and Ahoms. |
| Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah | 1518–1533 | Son of Alauddin Hussain Shah. A capable ruler, annexed Mithila (Northern Bihar and parts of Nepal) in 1526. Had to contend with Babur at Ghaghra in 1529, defended Bengal from Mughal encroachment. Assassinated by a slave. |
| Alauddin Firuz Shah | 1533 | Son of Nasrat Shah. Deposed by his uncle Abdul Badr, later Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah. |
| Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah | 1533–1538 | Son of Alauddin Hussain Shah, uncle to Alauddin Firuz Shah. His reckless and brash behavior angered allies and foes alike, and he was repeatedly defeated by Sher Shah. Finally deposed by Mughal Emperor Humayun in 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 | A son-in-law to Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah. Soon deposed by Sher Shah. |
| Qazi Fazilat | 1541–1545 | |
| Muhammad Khan Sur | 1545–1554 | A cousin to Sher Shah. |
| 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 |
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 |
Baro Bhuyan
- Isa Khan
- Masum khan
- Musa khan
- Fazal Ghazi
- Bahadur Ghazi
- Khwaja Usman Khan Lohani
- Bayezid Karrani
- Pratapaditya
- Bir Hambir
- Kedar Roy
- Chad Ray
- Mukundaram Roy
Mughal Rulers
| Name | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Emperor by name only | ||
| Babur | First Mughal Emperor | |
| Humayun | ||
| Independent | ||
| Akbar | First Mughal Emperor who conquered Bengal by defeating Sultan Daud Khan Karrani | |
| Jahangir | First Mughal Emperor who ruled Bengal independently. | |
| Shah Jahan | ||
| Aurangzeb | Last independent Mughal Emperor of Bengal who ruled in Bengal independently. | |
| Puppet Ruler | ||
| Azam Shah | After the demise of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire became weak and Mughal emperors stayed as rulers in name only. | |
| Bahadur Shah I | ||
| Jahandar Shah | ||
| Farrukhsiyar | Last Mughal Emperor of Bengal. Under Farrukhsiyar, Murshid Quli became the Nawab of Bengal in 1717 and Bengal became an Independent state. | |
Mughal Subahdars of Bengal Subah (1574–1717)
During the reign of Akbar
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Munim Khan | 25 September 1574 – 23 October 1575 | Khan-i-Khanan |
| Hussain Quli Khan | 23 October 1575 – 19 December 1578 | |
| Muzaffar Khan Turbati | 1579–1582 | |
| Mirza Aziz Koka | 1582–1583 | |
| Wazir Khan Tajik | 1583–1583 | |
| Shahbaz Khan Kamboh | 1583–1585 | |
| Sadiq Khan | 1585–1586 | |
| Shahbaz Khan Kamboh | 1586–1588 | |
| Sa'id Khan | 1588–1594 | |
| 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 tombs where both of them were laid to rest are 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 1610. An extremely capable governor, he finally subjugated the Bara Bhuiyans, annexed Jashore, Sylhet, Bhulua, Bakla (Barishal), Kamtapur, Koch Hajo and parts of Tripura, establishing Mughal control over the whole of Bengal and Kamrup. Mirza Nathan's memoir Baharistan-i-Ghaybi discusses his tenure in detail. |
| Qasim Khan Chishti | 1613–1617 | Younger brother of Islam Khan Chishti. Defeated by Arakan in 1616, soon recalled by the court. |
| Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang | 1617–1624 | Brother-in-law of Islam Khan I and Qasim Khan Chisti and brother of Empress Nurjahan. Annexed parts of Tripura and Kamrup. Died in an attack by Prince Shahjahan |
| Darab Khan | 1624–1625 | Killed by Mahabbat Khan. |
| Mahabat Khan | 1625–1626 | |
| Mukarram Khan | 1626–1627 | Nephew and son-in-law of Islam Khan Chisti. Was a military officer in Bengal during Islam Khan's tenure. Drowned in a river. |
| Fidai Khan | 1627–1628 |
During the reign of Shah Jahan
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qasim Khan Juvayni | 1628–1632 | Brother-in-law of Emperor Shah Jahan. Defeated the Portuguese in Hughly in 1632. |
| Mir Muhammad Baqir | 1632–1635 | Known as Azam Khan |
| Mir Abdus Salam | 1635–1639 | Known as Islam Khan Mashadi. Decisively defeated the Ahoms and conquered Koch Bihar. Due to his achievements the emperor recalled him to the court to make him the Prime Minister (Wazir-i-Azam) of the Mughal Empire. |
| Prince Shah Shuja | 1639–1647 again 1652–1660 | Second son of the Emperor. Ably ruled Bengal for a long time, put an end to the Portuguese and Magh piracy. Defeated and deposed by his brother And new Emperor, Aurangzeb. |
During the reign of Aurangzeb
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mir Jumla II | 1660–1663 | Defeated Shah Shujaat in battle. Defeated and annexed rebellious Kuch Bihar for a time, defeated the Assamese in battle and took Guwahati but died while returning back to Dhaka. |
| Shaista Khan | 1664–1678 | Uncle to Aurangzeb, First governorship. The legendary governor, to this day his rule is remembered as a time of proverbial prosperity for Bengal. Finally defeated Arakan and annexed Chittagong fland up to Kaladan river in 1666. Lalbagh fort in Dhaka was built during his tenure. |
| Azam Khan Koka | 1678–1678 | Known as Fidai Khan II |
| Prince Muhammad Azam | 20 July 1678 – 6 October 1679 | |
| Shaista Khan | 1680–1688 | Second phase. Annexed some parts of Kuch Bihar. |
| Ibrahim Khan II | 1689–1697 | |
| Prince Azim-us-Shan | 1697–1712 | Grandson of the Emperor. His son, Farrukhsiyar served as deputy governor during his rule. |
Medieval Hindu dynasties of Bengal
Koch dynasty (c. 1515–1949 CE)
Rulers of undivided Koch dynasty (c. 1515–1586 CE)
- Biswa Singha (1515–1540 CE)
- Nara Narayan (1540–1586 CE)
Rulers of Koch Behar (c. 1586 – 1949)
- Lakshmi Narayan
- Bir Narayan
- Pran Narayan
- Basudev Narayan
- Mahindra Narayan
- Roop Narayan
- Upendra Narayan
- Devendra Narayan
- Dhairjendra Narayan
- Rajendra Narayan
- Dharendra Narayan
- Harendra Narayan
- Shivendra Narayan
- Narendra Narayan
- Nripendra Narayan
- Rajendra Narayan II
- Jitendra Narayan (father of Gayatri Devi)
- Jagaddipendra Narayan (ruled till 1949)
Kingdom of Bhurshut (c. 16th–18th century)
- Maharaja Shivanarayan
- Maharaja Rudranarayan, Maharaja (16th century)
- Bhavashankari, Maharani (16th century)
- Pratapnarayan, Maharaja (17th century)
- Naranarayan, Maharaja (17th century)
- Lakshminarayan, Maharaja (c. 1695–1712)
Maharaja of Lower Bengal region
- Known rulers are-
- Raja Sitaram Ray (1688–1714 CE)
Maharaja of Bhawal region
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 | |
Shamsher Gazi's Kingdom
The advent of the British East India Company with its "exploitation and oppression" alongside zamindari subjugation, made life of the peasants and farmers difficult and despondent. Shamsher Gazi's efficient rule freed them of this control. With the granting of rent exemption to the peasants, he managed to govern the economy in an appropriate manner, leading to the reduction of the prices of essential commodities. He was generous to both the Hindus and Muslims. He had ponds dug, naming them after himself, and built many schools in and outside his capital Jagannath Sonapur. 'Kaiyar Sagar' was one of the larger ponds in the area.
Nawabs of Bengal under East India Company (1757–1881 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 | |
| Amir ul-Omrah | Syed Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur | 7 January 1875 | December 1906 – 23 October 1959 | 23 October 1959 | |
| Raes ud-Daulah | Syed Waris Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur | 14 November 1901 | 23 October 1959 – 20 November 1969 | 20 November 1969 | |
| — | — | Disputed/In abeyance | — | 20 November 1969 – 13 August 2014 | — |
| — | Syed Mohammed Abbas Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur | Circa 1942 | 13 August 2014 – Incumbent (titular) | — | |
East India Company governors in Bengal
Governors of British East India Company in Bengal (1757–1773)
- Robert Clive 1757 – 1760
- Henry Vansittart 1760 – 1764
- Robert Clive (again) 1765 – 1766
- Harry Verelst 1767 – 1769
- John Cartier 1769 – 1772
- Warren Hastings 1772 – 1773
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 (1773–1793)
Following the Regulating Act 1773, the Governor of Bengal was officially called Governor-General of Fort William.
- Warren Hastings 1773 – 1785
- Charles Cornwallis 1786 – 1793
Governors-General of British East India Company in Bengal (1793–1833)
In 1793, the British East India Company abolished Nizamat, i.e. local rule by Mughal emperor- appointed Nawabs and annexed Bengal.
- Sir John Shore 1793 – 1798
- Richard Wellesley 1798 – 1805
- Charles Cornwallis 1805 – 1805
- Sir George Barlow, 1st Baronet 1805 – 1807
- Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto 1807 – 1813
- Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings 1813 – 1823
- John Adam 1823 – 1823
- William Amherst, 1st Earl Amherst 1823 – 1828
- William Butterworth Bayley 1828 – 1828
- Lord William Bentinck 1828 – 1833
Governor-Generals of British East India Company (1833–1858)
As per Charter Act 1833, the Governor-General of Bengal would be called Governor-General of India
- Lord William Bentinck 1833 – 1835
- Charles Metcalfe, 1st Baron Metcalfe 1835 – 1836
- George Eden 1836 – 1842
- Edward Law 1842 – 1844
- William Bird 1844 – 1844
- Henry Hardinge 1844 – 1848
- James Broun-Ramsay 1848 – 1856
- The Viscount Canning 1856 – 1858
British Raj era
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)
- Frederick James Halliday 1858–1859
- John Grant 1859–1862
- Sir Cecil Beadon 1862–1866
- Sir William Grey 1866–1871
- George Campbell 1871–1874
- Sir Richard Temple 1874–1877
- Sir Ashley Eden 1877–1879
- Steuart Bayley 1879–1882
- Sir Augustus Thompson 1882–1885
- Horace Cockerell 1885–1887
- Sir Steuart Bayley 1887–1890
- Charles Eliott 1890–1893
- Anthony MacDonnell 1893–1895
- Alexander Mackenzie 1895–1897
- Charles Cecil Stevens 1897–1898
- Sir John Woodburn 1898–1902
- James Bourdillon 1902–1903
- Sir Andrew Fraser 1903–1905
- Sir Andrew Fraser (Western Bengal); Sir Bampfylde Fuller (Eastern Bengal and Assam) 1905–1906
- Francis Slacke (Western Bengal) 1906–1908; Lancelot Hare (Eastern Bengal and Assam) 1906–1911
- Sir Edward Baker (Western Bengal) 1908–1911
- Sir William Duke (Western Bengal); Sir Charles Stuart Bayley (Eastern Bengal and Assam) 1911–1912
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)
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
| No | Name | Portrait | Tenure | Party (coalition partner) | Assembly | Appointed by (Governor) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Term | ||||||
| 1 | Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq | 1 April 1937 | 1 December 1941 | 4 years, 244 days | Krishak Praja Party (Muslim League) | 1st Assembly (1937 election) | Sir John Anderson | |
| 12 December 1941 | 29 March 1943 | 1 year, 107 days | Krishak Praja Party (Hindu Mahasabha) | Sir John Arthur Herbert | ||||
| 2 | Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin | 29 April 1943 | 31 March 1945 | 1 year, 336 days | Muslim League | |||
| - | Vacant (Governor's rule) | 1 April 1945 | 22 April 1946 | 1 year, 21 days | N/A | Dissolved | - | |
| 3 | Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy | 23 April 1946 | 14 August 1947 | 1 year, 114 days | Muslim League | 2nd Assembly | Sir Frederick Burrows | |
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.
East Bengal (1947–1955)
Governors of East Bengal (1947–1955)
Political Party
Muslim League
Independent
Legend
Acting Governor
| # | Portrait | Governor | Term of office | Political Party | Governor General/ President | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term start | Term end | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Sir Frederick Chalmers Bourne (1891-1977) | 15 August 1947 | 5 April 1950 | 2 years, 233 days | Independent (British Administrator) | Muhammad Ali Jinnah Khawaja Nazimuddin | |
| [-] | Justice A.S.M. Akram (Acting) (1888-1968) | 16 March 1949 | 25 April 1949 | 40 days | Independent | Khawaja Nazimuddin | |
| 2 | Sir Feroz Khan Noon (1893-1970) | 5 April 1950 | 26 March 1953 | 2 years, 355 days | Muslim League | Khawaja Nazimuddin Malik Ghulam Muhammad | |
| [-] | Abdur Rahman Siddiqui (Acting) (1887-1953) | 25 July 1952 | 10 November 1952 | 108 days | Muslim League | Malik Ghulam Muhammad | |
| 3 | Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman (1889-1973) | 4 April 1953 | 30 May 1954 | 1 year, 56 days | Muslim League | ||
| 4 | Iskander Mirza (1899-1969) | 30 May 1954 | 21 September 1954 | 114 days | Muslim League | ||
| [-] | Justice Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis (Acting) (1894-1981) | Appointment: 21 September 1954 Sworn in: 25 October 1954 | 22 December 1954 | 92 days | Independent | ||
| [-] | Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin (Acting) (1895-1971) | 22 December 1954 | 14 June 1955 | 174 days | Independent | ||
| [-] | Justice Amiruddin Ahmad (Acting) (1895-1965) | 14 June 1955 | As Governor of East Bengal: 14 October 1955 As Governor of East Pakistan: 9 March 1956 | As Governor of East Bengal: 122 days As Governor of Eastern Wing: 269 days | Independent | Malik Ghulam Muhammad Iskander Mirza | |
- A.S.M. Akram was appointed Acting Governor during the leave of absence of Sir Frederick Chalmers Bourne
- Abdur Rahman Siddiqui was appointed Acting Governor during the leave of absence of Sir Feroz Khan Noon
- With the dismissal of the United Front Ministry in East Bengal, Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad decided to enforce Governor's Rule in the province and appointed Iskander Mirza as Governor
- Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis was appointed Acting Governor when Iskander Mirza was taken into the central cabinet as Minister
- Muhammad Shahabuddin was appointed after Acting Governor after Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis
- Justice Shahabuddin resigned due to differences of opinion about the restoration of parliamentary government in East Bengal
- Justice Amiruddin Ahmad, Chief Justice of Dhaka High Court, was appointed acting Governor on the resignation of Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin
East Pakistan (1955–1971)
Governors of East Pakistan (1955–1971)
In late 1955, the prime minister Muhammad Ali Bogra initiated the One Unit policy which resulted in East Bengal province being renamed to East Pakistan.
Political Party
Muslim League
Krishak Sramik Party
Independent
- Military Governor
Legend
Acting Governor
Functioned and exercised power as Governor by the order of president without being appointed as one
| # | Portrait | Governor | Term of office | Political Party | President | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term start | Term end | Time in office | |||||
| [-] | Justice Amiruddin Ahmad (Acting) (1895-1965) | As Governor of East Pakistan: 14 October 1955 As Governor of East Bengal: June 14, 1955 | 9 March 1956 | As Governor of East Pakistan: 147 days As Governor of Eastern Wing : 269 days | Independent | Iskander Mirza | |
| 1 | Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq (1873 - 1962) | 9 March 1956 | 31 March 1958 | 2 years, 22 days | Krishak Sramik Party | ||
| [-] | Muhammad Hamid Ali (Acting) (1906-1972) | 1 April 1958 | 3 May 1958 | 32 days | Independent | ||
| 2 | Sultanuddin Ahmad (1902-1977) | Appointment: 26 April 1958 Sworn in: 3 May 1958 | 10 October 1958 | 160 days | Independent | ||
| 3 | Zakir Husain (1898-1971) | Appointment: 10 October 1958 Sworn in: 11 October 1958 | 14 April 1960 | 1 year, 186 days | Independent | Iskander Mirza Ayub Khan | |
| 4
| Lieutenant general Azam Khan, PA (1908-1994) | 15 April 1960 | 10 May 1962 | 2 years, 25 days | Military | Ayub Khan | |
| [-] | Syed Hashim Raza (Acting) (1910-2003) | 1 July 1961 | 5 August 1961 | 35 days | Independent | ||
| 5 | Ghulam Faruque Khan (1899-1992) | 11 May 1962 | 25 October 1962 | 167 days | Independent | ||
| 6 | Abdul Monem Khan (1899-1971) | 28 October 1962 | 23 March 1969 | 6 years, 146 days (Longest Serving) | Muslim League | ||
| 7 | Mirza Nurul Huda (1919-1991) | 23 March 1969 | 25 March 1969 | 2 days | Independent | ||
| 8
| Major general Muzaffaruddin, PA (Martial Law Administrator) | 25 March 1969 | 23 August 1969 | 151 days | Military | Yahya Khan | |
| 9
| Lieutenant general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, PA (1920-2016) (Martial Law Administrator) | 23 August 1969 | 1 September 1969 | 9 days | Military | ||
| 10
| Vice admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan, PN (1921-1989) | 1 September 1969 | 1 March 1971 | 1 year, 181 days | Military | ||
| (11)
| Lieutenant general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, PA (1920-2016) (Head of Civil Administration ) | 1 March 1971 | 7 March 1971 | 6 days | Military | ||
| 12
| Lieutenant general Tikka Khan, PA (1915-2002) | Appointment: 6 March 1971 Sworn in: 7 March 1971 Officially announced: 9 March 1971 | 3 September 1971 | 180 days | Military | ||
| 13 | Abdul Motaleb Malik (1905-1977) | Appointment: 31 August 1971 Sworn in: 3 September 1971 | 14 December 1971 | 102 days | Muslim League | ||
| 14
| Lieutenant general A. A. K. Niazi, PA (1915-2004) (Supreme Authority of East Pakistan) | 14 December 1971 | 16 December 1971 | 2 days | Military | ||
- Justice Amiruddin Ahmad, Chief Justice of Dhaka High Court, was appointed acting Governor on the resignation of Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin
- President Iskander Mirza removed A. K. Fazlul Huq as governor on 31 March 1958 on the advice of the Noon cabinet for allegedly overstepping his limits as a constitutional Governor. Huq had dismissed Ataur Rahman's Ministry of Awami League that had not been defeated on the floor of the House, and had installed Mr. Abu Hussain Sarkar of his own party Krishak Sramik Party as Chief Minister.
- Muhammad Hamid Ali, Chief Secretary to the Governor of East Pakistan, was appointed Acting Governor in pursuance of the provisions of Article 70 of the Constitution following the removal of Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq from the office
- Sultanuddin Ahmad was removed from office on 10 October 1958 soon after the promulgation of Martial Law in Pakistan on 7 October
- Syed Hashim Raza was Acting Governor of the province during the absence of General Azam Khan's official visit to West Germany
- Unable to cope with the political problems of East Pakistan, Ghulam Faruque Khan resigned from office.
- With the promulgation of Martial Law throughout Pakistan and the abrogation of the constitution in the evening of 25 March, Mirza Nurul Huda's tenure of governorship came to an abrupt end after just 60 hours.
- On 25 March 1969 General A. M. Yahya Khan proclaimed martial law and divided the country into two administrative zones- West Pakistan (Zone 'A') and East Pakistan (Zone 'B'). Major general Muzaffaruddin was the GOC of the 14 Division, became Martial Law Administrator, Zone 'B'. On 8 April 1969, Yahya Khan issued an order directing that the Martial Law Administrators of Zone 'A' and 'B' would perform the functions and powers of the Governors of West and East Pakistan respectively. Thus Major general Muzaffaruddin became Martial Law Administrator and also exercised the powers and functions of Governor of East Pakistan.
- Lieutenant general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan was appointed as Martial Law Administrator of Zone 'B' and exercised the powers and functions of the Governor of East Pakistan.
- On 8 April 1969, President Yahya Khan issued an order directing that the Martial Law Administrators would perform the functions and powers of the Governor. However, a notification issued by the cabinet secretariat on 1 September 1969 cancelled the order of 8 April 1969 and directed Martial Law Administrators to refrain from performing the functions of Governor in their respective provinces with immediate effect. Lt. General Yaqub Khan remained Martial Law Administrator until Vice Admiral S. M. Ahsan took over as the new Governor of East Pakistan on 1 September 1969
- Lt. general Sahabzada Yaqub Khan was made the "head of civil administration in the province" and exercised the functions and powers of Governor from 1 March 1971 until the arrival of Lt. general Tikka Khan on 7 March 1971.
- Abdul Motaleb Malik along with his cabinet resigned on 14 December after realizing that Pakistani defeat was imminent and sought refuse in Hotel Intercontinental, seeking the protection of the Red Cross flag.
- Lt. general A. A. K. Niazi was the commander of the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army and as the supreme authority of Pakistan in its eastern wing functioned and exercised power as the Governor of East Pakistan after the resignation of Abdul Motaleb Malik during the last 48 hours of Bangladesh Liberation War
Chief ministers of East Pakistan (1955–1971)
Political Party
Muslim League
Krishak Sramik Party
United Front
Awami League
| # | Portrait | Name | Term of office | Political Party | Governor | Governor-General/ President | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term start | Term end | Time in office | ||||||
| 1 | Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin (1894 – 1964) | August 15, 1947 | September 4, 1948 | 1 year, 20 days | Muslim League | Sir Frederick Chalmers Bourne | Muhammad Ali Jinnah | |
| 2 | Nurul Amin (1893 – 1974) | September 14, 1948 | April 3, 1954 | 5 years, 201 days | Muslim League | Sir Feroz Khan Noon | Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin Malik Ghulam Muhammad | |
| 3 | Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq (1873 - 1962) | April 3, 1954 | May 29, 1954 | 56 days | United Front | Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman | Malik Ghulam Muhammad | |
| [-] | Vacant (Governor's rule) | May 29, 1954 | June 20, 1955 | 1 year, 22 days | N/A | - | ||
| 4 | Abu Hussain Sarkar (1894 - 1969) | June 20, 1955 | August 30, 1956 | 1 year, 71 days | Krishak Sramik Party | Iskander Mirza Sir Thomas Hobart Ellis (Acting) Muhammad Shahabuddin (Acting) | Malik Ghulam Muhammad Iskander Mirza | |
| 5 | Ataur Rahman Khan (1907 - 1991) | September 1, 1956 | March 31, 1958 | 1 year, 211 days | Awami League | Amiruddin Ahmad (Acting) Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq | Iskander Mirza | |
| (4) | Abu Hussain Sarkar (1894 - 1969) | March 31, 1958 | April 1, 1958 | 1 day | Krishak Sramik Party | Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq Muhammad Hamid Ali (Acting) | ||
| (5) | Ataur Rahman Khan (1907 - 1991) | April 1, 1958 | June 18, 1958 | 78 days | Awami League | Muhammad Hamid Ali (Acting) Sultanuddin Ahmad | Iskander Mirza Ayub Khan | |
| (4) | Abu Hussain Sarkar (1894 - 1969) | June 18, 1958 | June 22, 1958 | 4 days | Krishak Sramik Party | Sultanuddin Ahmad | Ayub Khan | |
| [-] | Vacant (Governor's rule) | June 22, 1958 | August 25, 1958 | 64 days | N/A | - | ||
| (5) | Ataur Rahman Khan (1907 - 1991) | August 25, 1958 | October 7, 1958 | 43 days | Awami League | Sultanuddin Ahmad | ||
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.
West Bengal (1947–present)
Governors of West Bengal
| No. | Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari | 15 August 1947 | 21 June 1948 | 311 days | |
| 2 | Kailash Nath Katju | 21 June 1948 | 1 November 1951 | 3 years, 133 days | |
| 3 | Harendra Coomar Mookerjee | 1 November 1951 | 8 August 1956 | 4 years, 281 days | |
| – | – | Phani Bhusan Chakravartti (acting) | 8 August 1956 | 3 November 1956 | 87 days |
| 4 | – | Padmaja Naidu | 3 November 1956 | 1 June 1967 | 10 years, 210 days |
| 5 | Dharma Vira | 1 June 1967 | 1 April 1969 | 1 year, 304 days | |
| – | – | Deep Narayan Sinha (acting) | 1 April 1969 | 19 September 1969 | 171 days |
| 6 | – | Shanti Swaroop Dhavan | 19 September 1969 | 21 August 1971 | 1 year, 336 days |
| 7 | Anthony Lancelot Dias | 21 August 1971 | 6 November 1979 | 8 years, 77 days | |
| 8 | – | Tribhuvana Narayana Singh | 6 November 1979 | 12 September 1981 | 1 year, 310 days |
| 9 | – | Bhairab Dutt Pande | 12 September 1981 | 10 October 1983 | 2 years, 28 days |
| 10 | Anant Prasad Sharma | 10 October 1983 | 16 August 1984 | 320 days | |
| — | – | Satish Chandra (acting) | 16 August 1984 | 1 October 1984 | 46 days |
| 11 | Uma Shankar Dikshit | 1 October 1984 | 12 August 1986 | 1 year, 315 days | |
| 12 | Saiyid Nurul Hasan | 12 August 1986 | 20 March 1989 | 2 years, 220 days | |
| 13 | T. V. Rajeswar | 20 March 1989 | 7 February 1990 | 324 days | |
| (12) | Saiyid Nurul Hasan | 7 February 1990 | 12 July 1993 | 3 years, 155 days | |
| – | – | B. Satyanarayan Reddy (additional charge) | 13 July 1993 | 14 August 1993 | 32 days |
| 14 | K. V. Raghunatha Reddy | 14 August 1993 | 27 April 1998 | 4 years, 256 days | |
| 15 | Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai | 27 April 1998 | 18 May 1999 | 1 year, 21 days | |
| 16 | Shyamal Kumar Sen | 18 May 1999 | 4 December 1999 | 200 days | |
| 17 | Viren J. Shah | 4 December 1999 | 14 December 2004 | 5 years, 10 days | |
| 18 | Gopalkrishna Gandhi | 14 December 2004 | 14 December 2009 | 5 years, 0 days | |
| – | Devanand Konwar (additional charge) | 14 December 2009 | 23 January 2010 | 40 days | |
| 19 | M.K. Narayanan | 24 January 2010 | 30 June 2014 | 4 years, 157 days | |
| — | D. Y. Patil (additional charge) | 3 July 2014 | 17 July 2014 | 14 days | |
| 20 | Keshari Nath Tripathi | 24 July 2014 | 29 July 2019 | 5 years, 5 days | |
| 21 | Jagdeep Dhankhar | 30 July 2019 | 17 July 2022 | 2 years, 352 days | |
| — | La. Ganesan (additional charge) | 18 July 2022 | 17 November 2022 | 122 days | |
| 22 | C. V. Ananda Bose | 18 November 2022 | Incumbent | 3 years, 29 days |
Premiers of West Bengal
| No. | Portrait | Name | Tenure | Duration | Assembly (election) | Party | Appointed by (Governor) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prafulla Chandra Ghosh | 15 August 1947 | 22 January 1948 | 160 days | Provincial Assembly (1946–52) | Indian National Congress | Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari | ||
| 2 | Bidhan Chandra Roy | 23 January 1948 | 26 January 1950 | 2 years, 3 days | |||||
Chief Ministers of West Bengal
| No | Portrait | Name | Constituency | Tenure | Duration | Assembly (election) | Party (alliance) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) | Bidhan Chandra Roy | 26 January 1950 | 30 March 1952 | 12 years, 156 days (total: 14 years, 159 days) | Provincial Assembly (1946 election) | Indian National Congress | |||
| Bowbazar | 31 March 1952 | 5 April 1957 | 1st (1952 election) | ||||||
| 6 April 1957 | 2 April 1962 | 2nd (1957 election) | |||||||
| Chowrangee | 3 April 1962 | 1 July 1962 | 3rd (1962 election) | ||||||
| 2 | Prafulla Chandra Sen | Arambagh East | 9 July 1962 | 28 February 1967 | 4 years, 234 days | ||||
| 3 | Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | Tamluk | 1 March 1967 | 21 November 1967 | 265 days | 4th | Bangla Congress (United Front) | ||
| (1) | Prafulla Chandra Ghosh | Jhargram | 21 November 1967 | 19 February 1968 | 90 days (total: 250 days) | Independent (Progressive Democratic Front) | |||
| – | Vacant (President's rule) | N/A | 20 February 1968 | 25 February 1969 | 1 year, 5 days | Dissolved | N/A | ||
| (3) | Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | Tamluk | 25 February 1969 | 16 March 1970 | 1 year, 19 days | 5th (1969 election) | Bangla Congress (United Front) | ||
| – | Vacant (President's rule) | N/A | 19 March 1970 | 30 July 1970 | 1 year, 14 days | N/A | |||
| 30 July 1970 | 2 April 1971 | Dissolved | |||||||
| (3) | Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | Tamluk | 2 April 1971 | 28 June 1971 | 87 days (total: 2 years, 6 days) | 6th (1971 election) | Indian National Congress (Democratic Coalition) | ||
| – | Vacant (President's rule) | N/A | 29 June 1971 | 20 March 1972 | 265 days | Dissolved | N/A | ||
| 4 | Siddhartha Shankar Ray | Maldah | 20 March 1972 | 30 April 1977 | 5 years, 41 days | 7th (1972 election) | Indian National Congress (Progressive Democratic Alliance) | ||
| – | Vacant (President's rule) | N/A | 30 April 1977 | 20 June 1977 | 51 days | Dissolved | N/A | ||
| 5 | Jyoti Basu | Satgachhia | 21 June 1977 | 23 May 1982 | 23 years, 137 days | 8th (1977 election) | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (Left Front) | ||
| 24 May 1982 | 29 March 1987 | 9th (1982 election) | |||||||
| 30 March 1987 | 18 June 1991 | 10th (1987 election) | |||||||
| 19 June 1991 | 15 May 1996 | 11th (1991 election) | |||||||
| 16 May 1996 | 5 November 2000 | 12th (1996 election) | |||||||
| 6 | Buddhadeb Bhattacharya | Jadavpur | 6 November 2000 | 14 May 2001 | 10 years, 188 days | ||||
| 15 May 2001 | 17 May 2006 | 13th (2001 election) | |||||||
| 18 May 2006 | 13 May 2011 | 14th (2006 election) | |||||||
| 7 | Mamata Banerjee | Bhabanipur | 20 May 2011 | 25 May 2016 | 14 years, 211 days | 15th (2011 election) | Trinamool Congress | ||
| 26 May 2016 | 4 May 2021 | 16th (2016 election) | |||||||
| 5 May 2021 | Incumbent | 17th | |||||||
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.
Presidents of Bangladesh
- Political parties
Awami League (AL)
Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal (Jagodal) / Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
Janadal / Jatiya Party (JP(E))
- Other factions
Military
Independent
- Status
Denotes acting president
- Symbols
† Died in office
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Election | Term of office | Political party (Coalition) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| Provisional Government of Bangladesh (1971–1972) | |||||||
| 1 | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920–1975) | — | 17 April 1971 | 12 January 1972 | 270 days | AL | |
| — | Syed Nazrul Islam (1925–1975) | — | 17 April 1971 | 12 January 1972 | 270 days | AL | |
| People's Republic of Bangladesh (1972–present) | |||||||
| 2 | Abu Sayeed Chowdhury (1921–1987) | — | 12 January 1972 | 24 December 1973 | 1 year, 346 days | AL | |
| 3 | Mohammad Mohammadullah (1921–1999) | — | 24 December 1973 | 27 January 1974 | 1 year, 32 days | AL | |
| 1974 | 27 January 1974 | 25 January 1975 | |||||
| (1) | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920–1975) | — | 25 January 1975 | 15 August 1975 (Assassinated in a coup) | 202 days | BaKSAL | |
| 4 | Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad (1918–1996) | — | 15 August 1975 | 6 November 1975 (Deposed in a coup) | 83 days | AL | |
| 5 | Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem (1916–1997) | — | 6 November 1975 | 21 April 1977 | 1 year, 166 days | AL | |
| 6 | Ziaur Rahman (1936–1981) | 1977 1978 | 21 April 1977 | 30 May 1981 (Assassinated) | 4 years, 39 days | Military / Jagodal / BNP | |
| 7 | Abdus Sattar (1906–1985) | — | 30 May 1981 | 20 November 1981 | 298 days | BNP | |
| 1981 | 20 November 1981 | 24 March 1982 (Deposed in a coup) | |||||
| Post vacant (24 – 27 March 1982) | |||||||
| 8 | Ahsanuddin Chowdhury (1915–2001) | — | 27 March 1982 | 10 December 1983 | 1 year, 258 days | Independent | |
| 9 | Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1930–2019) | 1985 1986 | 11 December 1983 | 6 December 1990 | 6 years, 360 days | Military / Janadal / JP(E) | |
| — | Shahabuddin Ahmed (1930–2022) | — | 6 December 1990 | 10 October 1991 | 308 days | Independent | |
| 10 | Abdur Rahman Biswas (1926–2017) | 1991 | 10 October 1991 | 9 October 1996 | 4 years, 365 days | BNP | |
| 11 | Shahabuddin Ahmed (1930–2022) | 1996 | 9 October 1996 | 14 November 2001 | 5 years, 36 days | Independent | |
| 12 | Badruddoza Chowdhury (born 1930) | 2001 | 14 November 2001 | 21 June 2002 | 219 days | BNP | |
| — | Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar (born 1931) | — | 21 June 2002 | 6 September 2002 | 77 days | BNP | |
| 13 | Iajuddin Ahmed (1931–2012) | 2002 | 6 September 2002 | 12 February 2009 | 6 years, 159 days | Independent | |
| 14 | Zillur Rahman (1929–2013) | 2009 | 12 February 2009 | 20 March 2013[†] | 4 years, 36 days | AL | |
| 15 | Mohammad Abdul Hamid (born 1944) | — | 14 March 2013 | 24 April 2013 | 10 years, 41 days | AL | |
| 2013 | 24 April 2013 | 24 April 2018 | |||||
| 2018 | 24 April 2018 | 24 April 2023 | |||||
| 16 | Mohammed Shahabuddin (born 1949) | 2023 | 24 April 2023 | Incumbent | 2 years, 237 days | AL | |
Vice presidents of Bangladesh (1975–1991)
- Political parties
Bangladesh Awami League
Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Jatiya Party
- Other factions
Independent
| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Took office | Party | President | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | ||||||
| Syed Nazrul Islam (1925–1975) | 17 April 1971 | 12 January 1972 | Bangladesh Awami League | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman | Acting president during the Bangladesh Liberation War. | ||
| 26 January 1975 | 15 August 1975 | BAKSAL | |||||
|
| Mohammad Mohammadullah (1921–1999) | 15 August 1975 | 3 November 1975 | Bangladesh Awami League | Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad | Served as Minister of Land under President Sheikh Mujib and was later appointed Vice President upon Mujib's death. | |
| Abdus Sattar (1906–1985) | June 1977 | 30 May 1981 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party | Ziaur Rahman | Succeeded Zia as president in 1981. | ||
| Mirza Nurul Huda (1919–1991) | 24 November 1981 | 23 March 1982 | Independent | Abdus Sattar | Resigned after conflict with BNP. | ||
| Mohammad Mohammadullah (1921–1999) | 23 March 1982 | 24 March 1982 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party | In office for 24 hours; deposed in the 1982 coup d'état | |||
| A. K. M. Nurul Islam (1919–2015) | 30 November 1986 | September 1989 | Jatiya Party | Hussain Muhammad Ershad | Former Supreme Court Justice and Law Minister. | ||
| Moudud Ahmed (1940–2021) | September 1989 | December 1990 | Jatiya Party | Former Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. | |||
Prime Ministers of Bangladesh
Note that numbering for Prime Minister is given either bracketless, or with ( ) brackets. Numbering for Chief Adviser is given in [ ] brackets. Acting Prime Ministers or Chief Advisers are not numbered and instead denoted as "—". There are 10 Prime Ministers, 1 Acting Prime Minister, 5 Chief Advisers, and 1 Acting Chief Adviser of Bangladesh so far.
- Political parties
Awami League (AL)
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
Janadal / Jatiya Party (JP(E))
- Status
Denotes an interim or caretaker government
- Symbols
† Died in office
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Election | Term of office | Political party (Coalition) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| Provisional Government of Bangladesh (1971–1972) | |||||||
| 1 | Tajuddin Ahmad (1925–1975) | — | 17 April 1971 | 12 January 1972 | 270 days | AL | |
| People's Republic of Bangladesh (1972–present) | |||||||
| 2 | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920–1975) | 1973 | 12 January 1972 | 25 January 1975 | 3 years, 13 days | AL | |
| 3 | Muhammad Mansur Ali (1917–1975) | — | 25 January 1975 | 15 August 1975 (Deposed in a coup) | 202 days | BaKSAL | |
| Post abolished (15 August 1975 – 29 June 1978) | |||||||
| — | Mashiur Rahman (1924–1979) Acting Prime Minister | — | 29 June 1978 | 12 March 1979[†] | 256 days | BNP | |
| Post vacant (12 March – 15 April 1979) | |||||||
| 4 | Shah Azizur Rahman (1925–1988) | 1979 | 15 April 1979 | 24 March 1982 (Deposed in a coup) | 2 years, 343 days | BNP | |
| Post abolished (24 March 1982 – 30 March 1984) | |||||||
| 5 | Ataur Rahman Khan (1905–1991) | — | 30 March 1984 | 9 July 1986 | 2 years, 101 days | Janadal / JP(E) | |
| 6 | Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury (1928–2006) | 1986 | 9 July 1986 | 27 March 1988 | 1 year, 262 days | JP(E) | |
| 7 | Moudud Ahmed (1940–2021) | 1988 | 27 March 1988 | 12 August 1989 | 1 year, 138 days | JP(E) | |
| 8 | Kazi Zafar Ahmed (1939–2015) | — | 12 August 1989 | 6 December 1990 | 1 year, 116 days | JP(E) | |
| Post abolished (6 December 1990 – 20 March 1991) | |||||||
| 9 | Khaleda Zia (born 1945) | 1991 1996 (Feb) | 20 March 1991 | 30 March 1996 | 5 years, 10 days | BNP | |
| [1] | Muhammad Habibur Rahman (1928–2014) Chief Adviser | — | 30 March 1996 | 23 June 1996 | 85 days | Independent | |
| 10 | Sheikh Hasina (born 1947) | 1996 (Jun) | 23 June 1996 | 15 July 2001 | 5 years, 22 days | AL | |
| [2] | Latifur Rahman (1936–2017) Chief Adviser | — | 15 July 2001 | 10 October 2001 | 87 days | Independent | |
| (9) | Khaleda Zia (born 1945) | 2001 | 10 October 2001 | 29 October 2006 | 5 years, 19 days | BNP (Four Party Alliance) | |
| [3] | Iajuddin Ahmed (1931–2012) Chief Adviser | — | 29 October 2006 | 11 January 2007 | 74 days | Independent | |
| [—] | Fazlul Haque (born 1938) Acting Chief Adviser | — | 11 January 2007 | 12 January 2007 | 1 day | Independent | |
| [4] | Fakhruddin Ahmed (born 1940) Chief Adviser | — | 12 January 2007 | 6 January 2009 | 1 year, 360 days | Independent (with military support) | |
| (10) | Sheikh Hasina (born 1947) | 2008 2014 2018 2024 | 6 January 2009 | 5 August 2024 (Resigned) | 15 years, 212 days | AL (Grand Alliance) | |
| Post vacant (5 – 8 August 2024) | |||||||
| [5] | Muhammad Yunus (born 1940) Chief Adviser | — | 8 August 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 131 days | Independent | |
See also
- Mahajanapadas
- History of India
- History of Bangladesh
- History of West Bengal
- List of Indian monarchs
Sources
- Dasgupta, Gautam Kumar; Biswas, Samira; Mallik, Rabiranjan (2009). Heritage Tourism: An Anthropological Journey to Bishnupur. A Mittal Publication. p. 21. ISBN 978-8183242943.
- Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Subahdar". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- Barpujari, H. K., ed. (1990). The Comprehensive History of Assam: From the Pre-historic Times to the Twelfth Century A.D. Vol. 1. Guwahati: Publication Board, Assam.
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