List of rulers of Bengal


This is a list of rulers of Bengal. For much of its history, Bengal was split up into several independent kingdoms, completely unifying only several times. In ancient times, Bengal consisted of the kingdoms of Pundra, Suhma, Vanga, Samatata and Harikela.
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.
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 regionModern region
PundravardhanaRajshahi Division and Rangpur Division in Bangladesh; Malda division of West Bengal in India
VangaKhulna Division and Barisal Division in Bangladesh; West of the Padma river.
TirabhuktiMithila area of India and Nepal
GaudaModern Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal, India
SuhmaBurdwan division, Medinipur division and Presidency division of West Bengal in India
RarhCorresponds to the modern Bardhaman, Bankura, Hooghly and Nadia districts of West Bengal in India
SamatataDhaka Division, Barisal Division and Chittagong Division in Bangladesh
HarikelaSylhet Division, Chittagong Division, Dhaka Division and Barisal Division in Bangladesh

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 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:

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.
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:

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 ruled Videha dynasty of Mithila-
  1. Mithi
  2. Udavasu
  3. Nandivardhana
  4. Suketu
  5. Devarata
  6. Brihadvrata
  7. Mahavira
  8. Sudhriti
  9. Dristaketu
  10. Haryasva
  11. Maru
  12. Pratindhaka
  13. Kritiratha
  14. Devamidha
  15. Vibhuta
  16. Mahidhrata
  17. Kirtirata
  18. Mahorama
  19. Swarnorama
  20. Hrisvaroma
  21. Seeradhwaja
  22. Bhaanumaan
  23. Shatadyumn
  24. Shuchi
  25. Oorjnaamaa
  26. Kriti
  27. Anjan
  28. Kurujit
  29. Arishtnemi
  30. Shrutaayu
  31. Supaarshwa
  32. Srinjaya
  33. Kshemaavee
  34. Anenaa
  35. Bhaumarath
  36. Satyarath
  37. Upagu
  38. Upagupt
  39. Swaagat
  40. Swaanand
  41. Suvarchaa
  42. Supaarshwa
  43. Subhaash
  44. Sushrut
  45. Jaya
  46. Vijaya
  47. Rit
  48. Sunaya
  49. Veetahavya
  50. Dhriti
  51. Bahulaashwa
  52. Kriti.
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, 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-
RulerReign
Brihadratha– BCE
Jarasandha– BCE
Sahadeva of Magadha– BCE
Somadhi1661–1603 BCE
Srutasravas1603–1539 BCE
Ayutayus1539–1503 BCE
Niramitra1503–1463 BCE
Sukshatra1463–1405 BCE
Brihatkarman1405–1382 BCE
Senajit1382–1332 BCE
Srutanjaya1332–1292 BCE
Vipra1292–1257 BCE
Suchi1257–1199 BCE
Kshemya1199–1171 BCE
Subrata1171–1107 BCE
Dharma1107–1043 BCE
Susuma1043–970 BCE
Dridhasena970–912 BCE
Sumati912–879 BCE
Subala879–857 BCE
Sunita857–817 BCE
Satyajit817–767 BCE
Viswajit767–732 BCE
Ripunjaya732–682 BCE

Pradyota dynasty (c. 682–544 BCE)

;Rulers-
RulerReign Period
Pradyota Mahasena682–659 BCE23
Gopāla 659 BCE~1
Palaka659–635 BCE24
Aryaka??
Visakhayupa635–585 BCE50
Ajaka585–564 BCE21
Varttivarddhana564–544 BCE20

Haryanka dynasty (c. 544–413 BCE)

;Rulers-
RulerReign
Bimbisara544–492 BCE
Ajatashatru492–460 BCE
Udayin460–444 BCE
Anirudha444–440 BCE
Munda440–437 BCE
Darshaka437 BCE
Nāgadāsaka437–413 BCE

Shishunaga dynasty (c. 413–345 BCE)

;Rulers-
RulerReign
Shishunaga413–395 BCE
Kalashoka395–377 BCE
Kshemadharman377–365 BCE
Kshatraujas365–355 BCE
Nandivardhana355–349 BCE
Mahanandin349–345 BCE

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Nanda Empire (c. 345–322 BCE)

;Rulers-
RulerReign
Mahapadma Nanda345–340 BCE
Pandukananda340–339 BCE
Pandugatinanda339–338 BCE
Bhutapalananda338–337 BCE
Rashtrapalananda337–336 BCE
Govishanakananda336–335 BCE
Dashasiddhakananda335–334 BCE
Kaivartananda334–329 BCE
Dhana Nanda329–321 BCE

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Maurya Empire (c. 322–184 BCE)

;Rulers-
''''

Shunga Empire (c. 185–73 BCE)

;Rulers-
RulerReign
Pushyamitra Shunga185–149 BCE
Agnimitra149–141 BCE
Vasujyeshtha141–131 BCE
Vasumitra131–124 BCE
Bhadraka124–122 BCE
Pulindaka122–119 BCE
Ghosha119–108 BCE
Vajramitra108–94 BCE
Bhagabhadra94–83 BCE
Devabhuti83–73 BCE

''''

Kanva dynasty (c. 73–28 BCE)

;Rulers-
RulerReignPeriod
Vasudeva Kanva73–64 BCE9
Bhumimitra64–50 BCE14
Narayana50–38 BCE12
Susarman38–28 BCE10

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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-

Pushkarana Kingdom (c. 4th century CE)

Gupta Empire (c. 240–550 CE)

;Rulers-

Independent Vanga Kingdom (c. 525–575 CE)

  • Gopachandra
  • Dharmadiya
  • Samachardeva

Jaintia kingdom (c. 525–1835 CE)

Old dynasty rulers

  • Urmi Rani
  • Krishak Pator
  • Hatak
  • Guhak

Partitioned Jaintia rulers

  • Jayanta
  • Joymalla
  • Mahabal
  • Bancharu
  • Kamadeva
  • Bhimbal

Brahmin dynasty rulers

  • Kedareshwar Rai
  • Dhaneshwar Rai
  • Kandarpa Rai
  • Manik Rai
  • Jayanta Rai
  • Jayanti Devi
  • Bara Gossain

New dynasty rulers

  • Prabhat Ray Syiem Sutnga
  • Majha Gosain Syiem Sutnga
  • Burha Parbat Ray Syiem Sutnga
  • Bar Gosain Syiem Sutnga I
  • Bijay Manik Syiem Sutnga
  • Pratap Ray Syiem Sutnga
  • Dhan Manik Syiem Sutnga
  • Jasa Manik Syiem Sutnga
  • Sundar Ray Syiem Sutnga
  • Chota Parbat Ray Syiem Sutnga
  • Jasamanta Ray Syiem Sutnga
  • Ban Singh Syiem Sutnga
  • Pratap Singh Syiem Sutnga
  • Lakshmi Narayan Syiem Sutnga
  • Ram Singh Syiem Sutnga I
  • Jay Narayan Syiem Sutnga
  • Bar Gosain Syiem Sutnga II
  • Chattra Singh Syiem Sutnga
  • Yatra Narayan Syiem Sutnga
  • Bijay Narayan Syiem Sutnga
  • Lakshmi Singh Syiem Sutnga
  • Ram Singh Syiem Sutnga II
  • Rajendra Singh Syiem Sutnga

Gauda kingdom (c. 550–626 CE)

;Rulers-
  • Early Gauda rulers are unknown
  • Shashanka, the first recorded independent Hindu king of Bengal, who created the first unified polity in Bengal.
  • Manava, 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, 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 NameReignNotes
Khadgodyama 625–640Father of Jatakhadga
Jatakhadga 640–658Father of Devakhadga
Devakhadga 658–673Queen Prabhavati
Rajabhatta 673–707Son of Devakhadga
Balabhatta 707–716Son of Devakhadga
Udirnakhadga ??

;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 kingReignNotes
Adi Malla694–710
Jay Malla710–720
Benu Malla720–733
Kinu Malla733–742
Indra Malla742–757
Kanu Malla757–764
Dha Malla764–775
Shur Malla775–795
Kanak Malla795–807
Kandarpa Malla807–828
Sanatan Malla828–841
Kharga Malla841–862
Durjan Malla862–906
Yadav Malla906–919
Jagannath Malla919–931
Birat Malla931–946
Mahadev Malla946–977
Durgadas Malla977–994
Jagat Malla994–1007
Ananta Malla1007–1015
Rup Malla1015–1029
Sundar Malla1029–1053
Kumud Malla1053–1074
Krishna Malla1074–1084
Rup II Malla1084–1097
Prakash Malla1097–1102
Pratap Malla1102–1113
Sindur Malla1113–1129
Sukhomoy Malla1129–1142
Banamali Malla1142–1156
Yadu/Jadu Malla1156–1167
Jiban Malla1167–1185
Ram Malla1185–1209
Gobinda Malla1209–1240
Bhim Malla1240–1263
Katar Malla1263–1295
Prithwi Malla1295 -1319
Tapa Malla1319–1334
Dinabandhu Malla1334–1345
Kinu/Kanu II Malla1345–1358
Shur Malla II1358–1370
Shiv Singh Malla1370–1407
Madan Malla1407–1420
Durjan II Malla1420–1437
Uday Malla1437–1460
Chandra Malla1460–1501
Bir Malla1501–1554
Dhari Malla1554–1565
Hambir Malla Dev (Bir Hambir)1565–1620
Dhari Hambir Malla Dev1620–1626
Raghunath Singha Dev1626–1656
Bir Singha Dev1656–1682
Durjan Singha Dev1682–1702
Raghunath Singha Dev II1702–1712
Gopal Singha Dev1712–1748
Chaitanya Singha Dev1748–1801
Madhav Singha Dev1801–1809
Gopal Singha Dev II1809–1876
Ramkrishna Singha Dev1876–1885
Dwhaja Moni Devi1885–1889
Nilmoni Singha Dev1889–1903
Churamoni Devi 1903–1930
Kalipada Singha Thakur1930–1947

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:

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-

Deva dynasty (c. 1150–1294 CE)

;List of rulers is disputed-

Delhi Sultanate, Ghurid Empire period

Khalji dynasty

The Khalji dynasty of Bengal were initially representatives of the Ghurid Empire, later becoming independent, although at times being subordinate to the Delhi Sultanate.
NameReignNotes
Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khaljic.1204–1206Began 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 Khalji1206–1208Comrade of Bakhtiyar Khalji. Lost the power struggle with Ali Mardan, and fled to East Bengal where he died.
Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji1208–1210Assumed the throne, but soon acknowledged Ali Mardan as sovereign when he returned from Delhi with an army given by Qutbuddin Aybek.
Ali Mardan Khalji1210–1212Soon after ascension went mad. Deposed by Iwaz.
Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji as Ghiyasuddin Iwaz Shah1212–1227Second term, built mosques and flood embankments. Known as a just and powerful ruler. Killed for rebelling against Sultan of Delhi Iltutmish
Alauddin Daulat Shah Khalji1229–1230
Balka Khalji1230–1231Grandson of Husamuddin Iwaz Khalji. Last Khalji ruler, deposed and executed by Iltutmish, Bengal annexed to Delhi sultanate

Governors of Bengal under Mamluk dynasty">Mamluk dynasty (Delhi)">Mamluk dynasty (1227–1287)

Governors of Bengal under the Mamluk dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate-
NameReignNotes
Nasiruddin Mahmud1227–1229Appointed by his father Sultan Iltutmish of Delhi.
Alauddin Jani1232–1233
Saifuddin Aibak1233–1236
Awar Khan Aibak1236
Tughral Tughan Khan1236–1246Restored Mamluk governor
Tughlaq Tamar Khan1246–1247
Jalaluddin Masud Jani1247–1251
Malik Ikhtiyaruddin Iuzbak1251–1257Claimed independence.
Ijjauddin Balban Iuzbaki1257–1259
Tatar Khan1259–1268Claimed independence.
Sher Khan1268–1272
Amin Khan1272
Tughral Tughan Khan1272–1281Second term as Mughisuddin Tughral
Nasiruddin Bughra Khan1281–1287Second son of the sultan of Delhi, Ghiyasuddin Balban. Declared independence and founded the Balban dynasty

House of Balban

The House of Balban came about as a result of Mamluk governor Nasiruddin Bughra Khan declaring independence.
NameReignNotes
Nasiruddin Bughra Khan1287–1291Declared independence from Delhi Sultanate. Father of the then sultan of Delhi, Kaiqubad.
Rukunuddin Kaikaus1291–1300Second son of Bughra Khan. First Muslim ruler to conquer Satgaon kingdom, expanding Lakhnauti.
Shamsuddin Firoz Shah1300–1322Either 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 Shah1322–1324Son of Firoz Shah. Lost independence of Bengal to Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.

Bengal Sultanate era

Small Sultanate of Bengal during Tughlaq dynasty (1338–1352)

NameRegionReignNotes
Fakhruddin Mubarak ShahSonargaon1338–1349First independent ruler of Sonargaon and the Founder of Mubarak shahi dynasty
Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah the last Sultan of mubarak shahi dynastySonargaon1349–1352
Ilyas ShahSatgaon1339–1342
Alauddin Ali ShahLakhnauti1339–1342
Ilyas ShahLakhnauti and Satgaon1342–1352

Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1352–1414)

NameReignNotes
Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah1352–1358Became 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 Shah1358–1390Oldest 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 Shah1390–1411Son of Sikandar Shah. Known for his justice and contribution to literature. His reign marks the high point of Ilyas Shahi dynasty.
Saifuddin Hamza Shah1411–1412Son of Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah. Succeeded his father, but was assassinated.
Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah bin Hamza Shah1413His 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 Shah1412–1414Either a son or a slave of Saifuddin Hamza Shah. Was deposed.
Alauddin Firuz Shah I1414–1416Infant 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. 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)

Two ephemeral rulers: Qutbuddin Azam Shah and Ghiyasuddin Nusrat Shah ruled Eastern Bengal for a brief period and struck coins from Muazzamabad in AH 837. 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.

Governors of Bengal under [Sur Empire] (1532–1556)

NameReignNotes
Sher Shah Suri1532–1538Defeated Mughals and became the ruler of Delhi in 1540.
Khidr Khan1538–1541A son-in-law to Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah. Soon deposed by Sher Shah.
Qazi Fazilat1541–1545
Muhammad Khan Sur1545–1554A cousin to Sher Shah.
Shahbaz Khan1555

Baro Bhuyan">Baro-Bhuyan">Baro Bhuyan

Mughal Empire Era

During the reign of [Jahangir]

NameReignNotes
Qutubuddin Koka2 Sep 1606 – 1607Killed in a battle against Sher Afghan.
Jahangir Quli Beg1607–1608In early life, a slave of Akbar's brother, Mirza Muhammad Hakim
Islam Khan Chishti1608–1613first 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, 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 Chishti1613–1617Younger brother of Islam Khan Chishti. Defeated by Arakan in 1616, soon recalled by the court.
Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang1617–1624Brother-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 Khan1624–1625Killed by Mahabbat Khan.
Mahabat Khan1625–1626
Mukarram Khan1626–1627Nephew and son-in-law of Islam Khan Chisti. Was a military officer in Bengal during Islam Khan's tenure. Drowned in a river.
Fidai Khan1627–1628

Medieval dynasties of Bengal (Autonomy Rulers Under Sultans, Mughals & Nawabs)

Koch dynasty (c. 1515–1949 CE)

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

Rulers of Koch Behar (c. 1586 – 1949)

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

Maharaja of Lower Bengal region

;Known rulers are-
;* Raja Sitaram Ray

Maharaja of Bhawal region

Rulers of Gazipur and Madhupur forest are in central Bangladesh.

Nawabs of Bengal

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.

East India Company governors, British Raj and Bengal Presidency Era in Bengal

Governors of British East India Company in Bengal (1757–1773)

As per the treaty of Allahabad in 1765, the British East India Company was given the right to collect revenue. 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.

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.

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

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)

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.
NameTook officeLeft office
Thomas Gibson-Carmichael, 1st Baron Carmichael19121917
Lawrence Dundas, Earl of Ronaldshay19171922
Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton19221927
Sir Stanley Jackson19271932
Sir John Anderson19321937
Michael Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne19371938
Sir John Arthur Herbert19391943
Richard Casey19441946
Sir Frederick Burrows19461947

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

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
'''Legend'''

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
'''Legend'''

Chief ministers of East Pakistan (1955–1971)

Political Party
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)

Chief Ministers of West Bengal


After independence of Bangladesh

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

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Died in office

Vice presidents of Bangladesh (1975–1991)

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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
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Died in office