# List of heads of state of Afghanistan

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This article lists the heads of state of Afghanistan since the foundation of the first modern Afghan state, the Hotak Empire, in 1709.

## History

The Hotak Empire was formed after a successful uprising led by Mirwais Hotak and other Afghan tribal chiefs from the Kandahar region against Mughal and Safavid Persian rule.
After a long series of wars, the Hotak Empire was eventually replaced by the Durrani Afghan Empire, founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747.
After the collapse of the Durrani Empire in 1823, the Barakzai dynasty founded the Emirate of Kabul, later known as the Emirate of Afghanistan. The Durrani dynasty regained power in 1839, during the First Anglo-Afghan War, when former ruler Shah Shujah Durrani seized the throne under the British auspices. Shah Shujah was assassinated in 1842, following the British retreat. Afterwards the Barakzai dynasty regained power, eventually transformed the Emirate into the Kingdom of Afghanistan in 1926, and ruled the country (with an interruption in 1929) until the last king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, was deposed in the 1973 coup d'état, led by his first cousin Mohammad Daoud Khan. Despite being part of the Barakzai dynasty, Daoud Khan departed from tradition and did not proclaim himself Shah, instead abolished the monarchy and established the Republic of Afghanistan, with himself as President. The Republic lasted until the PDPA–led Saur Revolution in 1978.
Since 1978, Afghanistan has been in a state of continuous internal conflict and foreign interventions.
President Hamid Karzai became the first ever democratically elected head of state of Afghanistan on 7 December 2004. His successor, Ashraf Ghani, was in power from 29 September 2014 to 15 August 2021, when he fled the country as Kabul fell to the Taliban following its 2021 offensive.
Upon its recapture of Kabul, the Taliban reinstated the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and its supreme leader since 2016, Islamic scholar Hibatullah Akhundzada, de facto succeeded Ghani as head of state.

## List of heads of state

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

### Monarchs

Hotak Empire (1709–1738)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Mirwais HotakMirwais the Grandfather | 1673–1715 | 1709 | 1715 | Established the Hotak dynasty in Kandahar. | Hotak |
| Abdul Aziz Hotak | Died 1717 | 1715 | 1717 | Brother of Mirwais Hotak | Hotak |
| Mahmud Hotak | 1697 – 22 April 1725 | 1717 | 22 April 1725 | Son of Mirwais Hotak | Hotak |
| Ashraf Hotak | Died 1730 | 22 April 1725 | 1730 | Nephew of Mirwais Hotak | Hotak |
| Hussain Hotak | Died 1738 | 1730 | 24 March 1738 (deposed) | Son of Mirwais Hotak Deposed by Nader Shah in Siege of Kandahar | Hotak |
Durrani Empire (1747–1823)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Ahmad Shah Durranithe Father of the Nation | 1720/1722 – 4 June 1772 | June 1747 | 4 June 1772 | Established the Durrani dynasty and the Durrani Empire; Considered founder of modern Afghanistan | Sadozai (Durrani) |
| Timur Shah Durrani | December 1746 – 20 May 1793 | November 1772 | 20 May 1793 | Son of Ahmad Shah Durrani Preserved the Durrani Empire following the death of his father after fighting off civil war in 1772, and multiple rebellions | Durrani |
| Zaman Shah Durrani | 1770–1844 | 20 May 1793 | 25 July 1801 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed | Durrani |
| Mahmud Shah Durrani (1st reign)Shah Mahmud | 1769 – 18 April 1829 | 25 July 1801 | 13 July 1803 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed | Durrani |
| Shah Shujah Durrani (1st reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur | 4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842 | 13 July 1803 | 3 May 1809 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Engaged in civil war with his brothers after the death of his father, later being deposed, and making multiple attempts to reclaim his throne | Durrani |
| Mahmud Shah Durrani (2nd reign)Shah Mahmud | 1769 – 18 April 1829 | 3 May 1809 | 1818 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Exiled to Herat following his deposition during his second reign | Durrani |
| Ali Shah Durrani | Died 1818/1819 | 1818 | 1819 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani | Durrani |
| Ayub Shah Durrani | Died 1 October 1837 | 1819 | 1823 (deposed) | Son of Timur Shah Durrani | Durrani |
Emirate of Kabul / Emirate of Afghanistan (1823–1926)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Sultan Mohammad KhanMohammad Khan Telai | 1792–1834 | 1823 | 1826 (deposed) | First ruler of the Barakzai dynasty; Son of Sardar Payendah Khan, brother of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai |
| Dost Mohammad Khan (1st reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir | 23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863 | Summer 1826 | 6 August 1839 (deposed) | Son of Sardar Payendah Khan Forged campaigns to re-unite Afghanistan which was divided due to the civil wars between the sons of Timur Shah Durrani. Reign disputed from 1839–1842 by Shah Shujah Durrani in the First Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai |
| Shah Shujah Durrani (2nd reign)Inayat-i-llahi, Shuja ul-Mulk, Muhammad Bahadur | 4 November 1785 – 5 April 1842 | 7 August 1839 | 5 April 1842 | Son of Timur Shah Durrani Returned to the throne with the help of the British in the First Anglo-Afghan War, murdered in the aftermath of the 1842 retreat from Kabul | Durrani |
| Akbar KhanAmīr Akbar Khān, Mohammad Akbar Khān | 1816–1847 | May 1842 | 1843 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai |
| Dost Mohammad Khan (2nd reign)Amir al-Mu'minin, Amir-i Kabir | 23 December 1792 – 9 June 1863 | 1843 | 9 June 1863 | Son of Sardar Payendah Khan Returned to the throne after the British and Shah Shuja were defeated in the First Anglo-Afghan War. Coined the term "Afghanistan" after an alliance with the British. Went on to defeat the remaining powers inside Afghanistan, reunifying the country after a brutal civil war lasting 70 years from 1793–1863 by the time of his death | Barakzai |
| Sher Ali Khan (1st reign) | 1825 – 21 February 1879 | 9 June 1863 | May 1866 (deposed) | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai |
| Mohammad Afzal Khan | 1815 – 7 October 1867 | May 1866 | 7 October 1867 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai |
| Mohammad Azam Khan | 1820–1870 | 7 October 1867 | 21 August 1868 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai |
| Sher Ali Khan (2nd reign) | 1825 – 21 February 1879 | 9 September 1868 | 21 February 1879 | Son of Dost Mohammad Khan | Barakzai |
| Mohammad Yaqub Khan | 1849 – 15 November 1923 | 21 February 1879 | 12 October 1879 (deposed) | Son of Sher Ali Khan Deposed during the Second Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai |
| Ayub Khanthe Victor of Maiwand the Afghan Prince Charlie | 1857 – 7 April 1914 | 12 October 1879 | 31 May 1880 (deposed) | Son of Sher Ali Khan Defeated in the Battle of Kandahar and exiled at the end of the Second Anglo-Afghan War | Barakzai |
| Abdur Rahman Khanthe Iron Amir | 1840/44 – 1 October 1901 | 31 May 1880 | 1 October 1901 | Son of Mohammad Afzal Khan | Barakzai |
| Habibullah Khan | 3 June 1872 – 20 February 1919 | 1 October 1901 | 20 February 1919 | Son of Abdur Rahman Khan | Barakzai |
| Nasrullah Khan | 1874–1920 | 20 February 1919 | 28 February 1919 (deposed) | Son of Abdur Rahman Khan | Barakzai |
| Amanullah Khan | 1 June 1892 – 25 April 1960 | 28 February 1919 | 9 June 1926 | Son of Habibullah Khan | Barakzai |
Kingdom of Afghanistan (1926–1929)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Amanullah Khan | 1 June 1892 – 25 April 1960 | 9 June 1926 | 14 January 1929 (abdicated) | Son of Habibullah Khan | Barakzai | |
| Inayatullah Khan | 20 October 1888 – 12 August 1946 | 14 January 1929 | 17 January 1929 (deposed) | Son of Habibullah Khan | Barakzai | |
Saqqawist Emirate and the 1928–1929 civil war
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Habibullāh KalakāniBacha-ye Saqao | 19 January 1891 – 3 November 1929 | 17 January 1929 | 13 October 1929 | Styled as king and emir; contested the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; deposed and executed | Non-dynastic |
| Ali Ahmad Khan | 1883 – 11 July 1929 | 17 January 1929 | 9 February 1929 | Grandson of Dost Mohammad Khan (maternal) Styled as King; rose in opposition to Kalakāni during the 1928–29 civil war; captured and executed | Barakzai |
| Amanullah Khan | 1 June 1892 – 25 April 1960 | March 1929 | 23 May 1929 | Son of Habibullah Khan Former King; returned to Afghanistan to contest the throne during the 1928–29 civil war; eventually retreated back into British India; See also Amanullah loyalism | Barakzai |
Kingdom of Afghanistan (restored; 1929–1973)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
| Mohammad Nadir Shah | 9 April 1883 – 8 November 1933 | 15 October 1929 | 8 November 1933 | Great-nephew of Dost Mohammed Khan Assassinated by Abdul Khaliq Hazara | Barakzai | |
| Mohammad Zahir Shahthe Father of the Nation (from 2004) | 15 October 1914 – 23 July 2007 | 8 November 1933 | 17 July 1973 (deposed) | Son of Mohammad Nadir Shah Deposed by first cousin Mohammad Daoud Khan in the 1973 coup d'état | Barakzai | |

#### Local monarchs

Some rulers tried to take advantage of internal conflicts in Afghanistan to claim the throne. However, their rule was limited only to certain areas.
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Jehandad Khan | Died 1914 | May 1912 | May 1912 (deposed) | Styled as Emir; ruled only in Khost during the 1912 rebellion | Non-dynastic |
| Abd-al Karim | 1897 – 18 February 1927 | July 1924 | 30 January 1925 (deposed) | Son of Mohammad Yaqub Khan Styled as Emir; rule limited to the Southern Province during the 1924–1925 rebellion | Barakzai |
| Salemai | | c. 1944 | c. 1946 (deposed) | Styled as King; rule limited to the Eastern Province during the 1944–47 tribal revolts | Non-dynastic |

### Non-monarchs

| Name | Name | Portrait | Lifespan | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Political affiliation |
| Name | Name | Portrait | Lifespan | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Political affiliation |
| Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978) ||||||||
| | Mohammad Daoud Khan | | 1909–1978 | 17 July 1973 | 28 April 1978 | 4 years, 285 days | Independent (until 1974) |
| | Mohammad Daoud Khan | | 1909–1978 | 17 July 1973 | 28 April 1978 | 4 years, 285 days | National Revolutionary Party |
| President; Member of the Barakzai dynasty (first cousin of Mohammad Zahir Shah); Assassinated with most of his family during the Saur Revolution; Supposedly killed for refusing to surrender to the new authorities. ||||
| Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992) ||||||||
| | Colonel Abdul Qadir | | 1944–2014 | 28 April 1978 | 30 April 1978 | 2 days | People's Democratic Party (Khalq faction) |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Military Revolutionary Council. ||||
| | Nur Muhammad Taraki | | 1917–1979 | 30 April 1978 | 14 September 1979 | 1 year, 137 days | People's Democratic Party (Khalq faction) |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by orders of Hafizullah Amin. ||||
| | Hafizullah Amin | | 1929–1979 | 14 September 1979 | 27 December 1979 | 104 days | People's Democratic Party (Khalq faction) |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Assassinated by Soviet special forces during the Operation Storm-333. ||||
| | Babrak Karmal | | 1929–1996 | 27 December 1979 | 24 November 1986 | 6 years, 332 days | People's Democratic Party (Parcham faction) |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Dismissed. ||||
| | Haji Mohammad Chamkani | | 1947–2012 | 24 November 1986 | 30 September 1987 | 310 days | Independent |
| Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council; Appointed as part of the National Reconciliation process. ||||
| | Mohammad Najibullah | | 1947–1996 | 30 September 1987 | 16 April 1992 | 4 years, 199 days | People's Democratic Party (Parcham faction) (until 1990) |
| | Mohammad Najibullah | | 1947–1996 | 30 September 1987 | 16 April 1992 | 4 years, 199 days | Homeland Party |
| President (Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council until 30 November 1987); Resigned. ||||
| | Abdul Rahim Hatif | | 1926–2013 | 16 April 1992 | 28 April 1992 | 12 days | Homeland Party |
| Acting President; Deposed. ||||
| Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992–2002) ||||||||
| | Sibghatullah Mojaddedi | | 1926–2019 | 28 April 1992 | 28 June 1992 | 61 days | National Liberation Front of Afghanistan |
| Acting President; Resigned. ||||
| | Burhanuddin Rabbani | | 1940–2011 | 28 June 1992 | 22 December 2001 | 9 years, 177 days | Jamiat-e Islami |
| President; Fled Kabul following its fall to the Taliban on 27 September 1996; Continued to serve as president in areas controlled by the Northern Alliance during the 1996–2001 Civil War until being fully reinstated following the recapture of Kabul on 13 November 2001; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic State remained the internationally recognized government, despite only controlling about 10% of Afghan territory. ||||
| | Hamid Karzai | | born 1957 | 22 December 2001 | 13 June 2002 | 173 days | Independent |
| Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration; Appointed by the 2001 Bonn Conference. ||||
| Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001) ||||||||
| | Mullah Mohammed Omar | | between 1953 and 1966 – 2013 | 27 September 1996 | 13 November 2001 | 5 years, 47 days | Taliban |
| Supreme Leader; Deposed during the fall of Kabul, and went into hiding following the fall of Kandahar on 7 December 2001; Continued to claim the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency until his death on 23 April 2013; Between 1996 and 2001, the Islamic Emirate never attained widespread international recognition, despite controlling about 90% of Afghan territory. ||||
| Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004) ||||||||
| | Hamid Karzai | | born 1957 | 13 June 2002 | 7 December 2004 | 2 years, 177 days | Independent |
| Transitional President; Appointed by the 2002 loya jirga. ||||
| Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021) ||||||||
| | Hamid Karzai | | born 1957 | 7 December 2004 | 29 September 2014 | 9 years, 296 days | Independent |
| President; First democratically elected head of state; Elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2009. ||||
| | Ashraf Ghani | | born 1949 | 29 September 2014 | 15 August 2021 | 6 years, 320 days | Independent |
| President; First peaceful transition of power; Elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019; Deposed during the fall of Kabul. ||||
| Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2021–present) ||||||||
| | Mullah Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada | | Birth date not known | 15 August 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 200 days | Taliban |
| Supreme Leader; Claimed the position in rebellion during the Taliban insurgency from 25 May 2016 until the recapture of Kabul. The Islamic Emirate is currently not internationally recognized, despite controlling all Afghan territory. ||||

## Family tree of monarchs

Family tree of Afghan monarchs :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Salim Khan | Salim Khan | Salim Khan | Salim Khan | Salim Khan | Salim Khan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Hotak dynasty | Hotak dynasty | Hotak dynasty | Hotak dynasty | Hotak dynasty | Hotak dynasty | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mirwais Khan Hotak $^{(1)}$ r. 1709–1715 | Mirwais Khan Hotak $^{(1)}$ r. 1709–1715 | Mirwais Khan Hotak $^{(1)}$ r. 1709–1715 | Mirwais Khan Hotak $^{(1)}$ r. 1709–1715 | Mirwais Khan Hotak $^{(1)}$ r. 1709–1715 | Mirwais Khan Hotak $^{(1)}$ r. 1709–1715 | | | | | | | Abdul Aziz Hotak $^{(2)}$ r. 1715–1717 | Abdul Aziz Hotak $^{(2)}$ r. 1715–1717 | Abdul Aziz Hotak $^{(2)}$ r. 1715–1717 | Abdul Aziz Hotak $^{(2)}$ r. 1715–1717 | Abdul Aziz Hotak $^{(2)}$ r. 1715–1717 | Abdul Aziz Hotak $^{(2)}$ r. 1715–1717 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | | | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | | | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | Mahmud Hotak $^{(3)}$ r. 1717–1725 | | | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | Hussain Hotak $^{(5)}$ r. 1725–1738 | | | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | Ashraf Hotak $^{(4)}$ r. 1725–1729 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Ahmad Shah Durrani $^{(1)}$ r. 1747–1772 | Ahmad Shah Durrani $^{(1)}$ r. 1747–1772 | Ahmad Shah Durrani $^{(1)}$ r. 1747–1772 | Ahmad Shah Durrani $^{(1)}$ r. 1747–1772 | Ahmad Shah Durrani $^{(1)}$ r. 1747–1772 | Ahmad Shah Durrani $^{(1)}$ r. 1747–1772 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sardar Payinda Mohammad Khan | Sardar Payinda Mohammad Khan | Sardar Payinda Mohammad Khan | Sardar Payinda Mohammad Khan | Sardar Payinda Mohammad Khan | Sardar Payinda Mohammad Khan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | Durrani dynasty | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Barakzai dynasty | Barakzai dynasty | Barakzai dynasty | Barakzai dynasty | Barakzai dynasty | Barakzai dynasty | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Timur Shah Durrani $^{(2)}$ r. 1772–1793 | Timur Shah Durrani $^{(2)}$ r. 1772–1793 | Timur Shah Durrani $^{(2)}$ r. 1772–1793 | Timur Shah Durrani $^{(2)}$ r. 1772–1793 | Timur Shah Durrani $^{(2)}$ r. 1772–1793 | Timur Shah Durrani $^{(2)}$ r. 1772–1793 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mohammad Khan $^{(1)}$ r. 1823–1826 | Mohammad Khan $^{(1)}$ r. 1823–1826 | Mohammad Khan $^{(1)}$ r. 1823–1826 | Mohammad Khan $^{(1)}$ r. 1823–1826 | Mohammad Khan $^{(1)}$ r. 1823–1826 | Mohammad Khan $^{(1)}$ r. 1823–1826 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Dost Mohammad Khan $^{(2)}$ r. 1826–1839, 1843–1863 | Dost Mohammad Khan $^{(2)}$ r. 1826–1839, 1843–1863 | Dost Mohammad Khan $^{(2)}$ r. 1826–1839, 1843–1863 | Dost Mohammad Khan $^{(2)}$ r. 1826–1839, 1843–1863 | Dost Mohammad Khan $^{(2)}$ r. 1826–1839, 1843–1863 | Dost Mohammad Khan $^{(2)}$ r. 1826–1839, 1843–1863 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Zaman Shah Durrani $^{(3)}$ r. 1793–1801 | Zaman Shah Durrani $^{(3)}$ r. 1793–1801 | Zaman Shah Durrani $^{(3)}$ r. 1793–1801 | Zaman Shah Durrani $^{(3)}$ r. 1793–1801 | Zaman Shah Durrani $^{(3)}$ r. 1793–1801 | Zaman Shah Durrani $^{(3)}$ r. 1793–1801 | Mahmud Shah Durrani $^{(4)}$ r. 1801–1803, 1809–1818 | Mahmud Shah Durrani $^{(4)}$ r. 1801–1803, 1809–1818 | Mahmud Shah Durrani $^{(4)}$ r. 1801–1803, 1809–1818 | Mahmud Shah Durrani $^{(4)}$ r. 1801–1803, 1809–1818 | Mahmud Shah Durrani $^{(4)}$ r. 1801–1803, 1809–1818 | Mahmud Shah Durrani $^{(4)}$ r. 1801–1803, 1809–1818 | Shah Shujah Durrani $^{(5)}$ r. 1803–1809, 1839–1842 | Shah Shujah Durrani $^{(5)}$ r. 1803–1809, 1839–1842 | Shah Shujah Durrani $^{(5)}$ r. 1803–1809, 1839–1842 | Shah Shujah Durrani $^{(5)}$ r. 1803–1809, 1839–1842 | Shah Shujah Durrani $^{(5)}$ r. 1803–1809, 1839–1842 | Shah Shujah Durrani $^{(5)}$ r. 1803–1809, 1839–1842 | Ali Shah Durrani $^{(6)}$ r. 1818–1819 | Ali Shah Durrani $^{(6)}$ r. 1818–1819 | Ali Shah Durrani $^{(6)}$ r. 1818–1819 | Ali Shah Durrani $^{(6)}$ r. 1818–1819 | Ali Shah Durrani $^{(6)}$ r. 1818–1819 | Ali Shah Durrani $^{(6)}$ r. 1818–1819 | Ayub Shah Durrani $^{(7)}$ r. 1819–1823 | Ayub Shah Durrani $^{(7)}$ r. 1819–1823 | Ayub Shah Durrani $^{(7)}$ r. 1819–1823 | Ayub Shah Durrani $^{(7)}$ r. 1819–1823 | Ayub Shah Durrani $^{(7)}$ r. 1819–1823 | Ayub Shah Durrani $^{(7)}$ r. 1819–1823 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mohammad Afzal Khan $^{(5)}$ r. 1866–1867 | Mohammad Afzal Khan $^{(5)}$ r. 1866–1867 | Mohammad Afzal Khan $^{(5)}$ r. 1866–1867 | Mohammad Afzal Khan $^{(5)}$ r. 1866–1867 | Mohammad Afzal Khan $^{(5)}$ r. 1866–1867 | Mohammad Afzal Khan $^{(5)}$ r. 1866–1867 | Akbar Khan $^{(3)}$ r. 1842–1843 | Akbar Khan $^{(3)}$ r. 1842–1843 | Akbar Khan $^{(3)}$ r. 1842–1843 | Akbar Khan $^{(3)}$ r. 1842–1843 | Akbar Khan $^{(3)}$ r. 1842–1843 | Akbar Khan $^{(3)}$ r. 1842–1843 | Mohammad Azam Khan $^{(6)}$ r. 1867–1868 | Mohammad Azam Khan $^{(6)}$ r. 1867–1868 | Mohammad Azam Khan $^{(6)}$ r. 1867–1868 | Mohammad Azam Khan $^{(6)}$ r. 1867–1868 | Mohammad Azam Khan $^{(6)}$ r. 1867–1868 | Mohammad Azam Khan $^{(6)}$ r. 1867–1868 | | | Sher Ali Khan $^{(4)}$ r. 1863-1866, 1868–1879 | Sher Ali Khan $^{(4)}$ r. 1863-1866, 1868–1879 | Sher Ali Khan $^{(4)}$ r. 1863-1866, 1868–1879 | Sher Ali Khan $^{(4)}$ r. 1863-1866, 1868–1879 | Sher Ali Khan $^{(4)}$ r. 1863-1866, 1868–1879 | Sher Ali Khan $^{(4)}$ r. 1863-1866, 1868–1879 | | | Sahira Begum | Sahira Begum | Sahira Begum | Sahira Begum | Sahira Begum | Sahira Begum | | | Loinab Khush Dil Khan | Loinab Khush Dil Khan | Loinab Khush Dil Khan | Loinab Khush Dil Khan | Loinab Khush Dil Khan | Loinab Khush Dil Khan |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ali Ahmad Mirza | Ali Ahmad Mirza | Ali Ahmad Mirza | Ali Ahmad Mirza | Ali Ahmad Mirza | Ali Ahmad Mirza | Sardar Mohammad Yahya Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yahya Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yahya Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yahya Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yahya Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yahya Khan | | | Hamdan Sultana Begum | Hamdan Sultana Begum | Hamdan Sultana Begum | Hamdan Sultana Begum | Hamdan Sultana Begum | Hamdan Sultana Begum | | | Abdur Rahman Khan $^{(9)}$ r. 1880–1901 | Abdur Rahman Khan $^{(9)}$ r. 1880–1901 | Abdur Rahman Khan $^{(9)}$ r. 1880–1901 | Abdur Rahman Khan $^{(9)}$ r. 1880–1901 | Abdur Rahman Khan $^{(9)}$ r. 1880–1901 | Abdur Rahman Khan $^{(9)}$ r. 1880–1901 | | | | | | | | | | | Mohammad Yaqub Khan $^{(7)}$ r. 1879 | Mohammad Yaqub Khan $^{(7)}$ r. 1879 | Mohammad Yaqub Khan $^{(7)}$ r. 1879 | Mohammad Yaqub Khan $^{(7)}$ r. 1879 | Mohammad Yaqub Khan $^{(7)}$ r. 1879 | Mohammad Yaqub Khan $^{(7)}$ r. 1879 | | | Mohammad Ayub Khan $^{(8)}$ r. 1879–1880 | Mohammad Ayub Khan $^{(8)}$ r. 1879–1880 | Mohammad Ayub Khan $^{(8)}$ r. 1879–1880 | Mohammad Ayub Khan $^{(8)}$ r. 1879–1880 | Mohammad Ayub Khan $^{(8)}$ r. 1879–1880 | Mohammad Ayub Khan $^{(8)}$ r. 1879–1880 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sharaf Sultana Hukumat Begum | Sharaf Sultana Hukumat Begum | Sharaf Sultana Hukumat Begum | Sharaf Sultana Hukumat Begum | Sharaf Sultana Hukumat Begum | Sharaf Sultana Hukumat Begum | Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan | Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan | | | Sardar Mohammad Asif Khan | Sardar Mohammad Asif Khan | Sardar Mohammad Asif Khan | Sardar Mohammad Asif Khan | Sardar Mohammad Asif Khan | Sardar Mohammad Asif Khan | | | Habibullah Khan $^{(10)}$ r. 1901–1919 | Habibullah Khan $^{(10)}$ r. 1901–1919 | Habibullah Khan $^{(10)}$ r. 1901–1919 | Habibullah Khan $^{(10)}$ r. 1901–1919 | Habibullah Khan $^{(10)}$ r. 1901–1919 | Habibullah Khan $^{(10)}$ r. 1901–1919 | Nasrullah Khan $^{(11)}$ r. 1919 | Nasrullah Khan $^{(11)}$ r. 1919 | Nasrullah Khan $^{(11)}$ r. 1919 | Nasrullah Khan $^{(11)}$ r. 1919 | Nasrullah Khan $^{(11)}$ r. 1919 | Nasrullah Khan $^{(11)}$ r. 1919 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mohammad Nadir Shah $^{(15)}$ r. 1929–1933 | Mohammad Nadir Shah $^{(15)}$ r. 1929–1933 | Mohammad Nadir Shah $^{(15)}$ r. 1929–1933 | Mohammad Nadir Shah $^{(15)}$ r. 1929–1933 | Mohammad Nadir Shah $^{(15)}$ r. 1929–1933 | Mohammad Nadir Shah $^{(15)}$ r. 1929–1933 | | | Mah Parwar Begum | Mah Parwar Begum | Mah Parwar Begum | Mah Parwar Begum | Mah Parwar Begum | Mah Parwar Begum | | | Inayatullah Khan $^{(13)}$ r. 1929 | Inayatullah Khan $^{(13)}$ r. 1929 | Inayatullah Khan $^{(13)}$ r. 1929 | Inayatullah Khan $^{(13)}$ r. 1929 | Inayatullah Khan $^{(13)}$ r. 1929 | Inayatullah Khan $^{(13)}$ r. 1929 | Amanullah Khan $^{(12)}$ r. 1919–1929, 1929 | Amanullah Khan $^{(12)}$ r. 1919–1929, 1929 | Amanullah Khan $^{(12)}$ r. 1919–1929, 1929 | Amanullah Khan $^{(12)}$ r. 1919–1929, 1929 | Amanullah Khan $^{(12)}$ r. 1919–1929, 1929 | Amanullah Khan $^{(12)}$ r. 1919–1929, 1929 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ali Ahmad Khan $^{(14)}$ r. 1929 | Ali Ahmad Khan $^{(14)}$ r. 1929 | Ali Ahmad Khan $^{(14)}$ r. 1929 | Ali Ahmad Khan $^{(14)}$ r. 1929 | Ali Ahmad Khan $^{(14)}$ r. 1929 | Ali Ahmad Khan $^{(14)}$ r. 1929 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mohammad Zahir Shah $^{(16)}$ r. 1933–1973 | Mohammad Zahir Shah $^{(16)}$ r. 1933–1973 | Mohammad Zahir Shah $^{(16)}$ r. 1933–1973 | Mohammad Zahir Shah $^{(16)}$ r. 1933–1973 | Mohammad Zahir Shah $^{(16)}$ r. 1933–1973 | Mohammad Zahir Shah $^{(16)}$ r. 1933–1973 |

## Standards of heads of state

* Standard of the king of Afghanistan, c. 1919–1929
* Standard of the king of Afghanistan, 1931–1973.
* Standard of the president of Afghanistan, 1974–1978.
* Standard of the president of Afghanistan, 2004–2013.
* Standard of the president of Afghanistan, 2013–2021.