Historical leaders of Afghanistan and other associated countries

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The following list shows all historical leaders of Afghanistan starting with the most recent. The definition of leader differs across countries, usually referring to a head of state or head of government. This list shows the person who is publicly recognized as the leader, i.e., the person representing the country internationally and being in charge of running the day-to-day domestic political agenda.

In case the country has seen one or multiple political transformations over time, former governance structures are also listed below.

Leaders of Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Hibatullah Akhundzada

Supreme Leader

Since Aug 15th, 2021

Afghanistan

Ashraf Ghani

President

Sep 29th, 2014 to Aug 15th, 2021

Afghanistan

Hamid Karzai

President

Dec 7th, 2004 to Sep 29th, 2014

Afghanistan

Hamid Karzai

Transitional President

Jul 13th, 2002 to Dec 7th, 2004

Afghanistan

Hamid Karzai

Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration

Dec 22nd, 2001 to Jul 13th, 2002

Afghanistan

Mohammed Omar

Supreme Leader

Sep 27th, 1996 to Nov 13th, 2001

Afghanistan

Burhanuddin Rabbani

President

Jun 28th, 1992 to Dec 22nd, 2001

Afghanistan

Sibghatullah Mojaddedi

Acting President

Apr 28th, 1992 to Jun 28th, 1992

Afghanistan

Abdul Rahim Hatif

Acting President

Apr 16th, 1992 to Apr 28th, 1992

Afghanistan

Mohammad Najibullah

President

Dec 1st, 1987 to Apr 16th, 1992

Afghanistan

Mohammad Najibullah

Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council

Sep 30th, 1987 to Nov 30th, 1987

Afghanistan

Haji Mohammad Chamkani

Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council

Nov 24th, 1986 to Sep 30th, 1987

Afghanistan

Babrak Karmal

Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council

Dec 27th, 1979 to Nov 24th, 1986

Afghanistan

Hafizullah Amin

Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council

Sep 14th, 1979 to Dec 27th, 1979

Afghanistan

Nur Muhammad Taraki

Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council

Apr 30th, 1978 to Sep 14th, 1979

Afghanistan

Abdul Qadir

Chairman of the Presidium of the Military Revolutionary Council

Apr 28th, 1978 to Apr 30th, 1978

Afghanistan

Mohammad Daoud Khan

President

Jul 17th, 1973 to Apr 28th, 1978

Afghanistan

Mohammad Zahir Shah

King

Nov 8th, 1933 to Jul 17th, 1973

Afghanistan

Mohammad Nadir Shah

King

Oct 15th, 1929 to Nov 8th, 1933

Afghanistan

Inayatullah Khan

King

Jan 14th, 1929 to Jan 17th, 1929

Afghanistan

Amanullah Khan

King

Jun 9th, 1926 to Jan 14th, 1929

Leaders of Emirate of Afghanistan

Emirate of Afghanistan

Amanullah Khan

King

Mar 1st, 1929 to May 23rd, 1929

Emirate of Afghanistan

Habibullāh Kalakāni

King (Kabul)

Jan 17th, 1929 to Oct 13th, 1929

Emirate of Afghanistan

Ali Ahmad Khan

King (Jalalabad)

Jan 17th, 1929 to Feb 9th, 1929

Leaders of Emirate of Afghanistan / Kabul

Emirate of Afghanistan / Kabul

Amanullah Khan

Emir

Feb 28th, 1919 to Jun 9th, 1926

Emirate of Afghanistan / Kabul

Nasrullah Khan

Emir

Feb 20th, 1919 to Feb 28th, 1919

Emirate of Afghanistan / Kabul

Habibullah Khan

Emir

Oct 1st, 1901 to Feb 20th, 1919

Emirate of Afghanistan / Kabul

Abdur Rahman Khan

Amir

May 31st, 1880 to Oct 1st, 1901