King of Bahrain

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King of Bahrain
ملك مملكة البحرين
Malik Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn
Incumbent
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
since 6 March 1999 as Emir
since 14 February 2002 as King
Details
StyleHis Majesty
Heir apparentSalman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
First monarchAhmed bin Muhammad bin Khalifa (Hakim)
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah (King)
Formation1783 (Hakimmiyah)
16 August 1971 (Emirate)
14 February 2002 (Kingdom)
ResidenceRiffa Palace

The King of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic: ملك مملكة البحرين Malik Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn) is the monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The House of Khalifa has been the ruling family since 1783. Between 1783 and 1971, the Bahraini monarch held the title of hakim, and, from 1971 until 2002, the title of emir. On 14 February 2002, the emir of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, declared Bahrain a kingdom and proclaimed himself the first king.[1] The king enjoys wide ranging powers, which include appointing the prime minister and the cabinet, holding supreme command over the Defence Force, chairing the Higher Judicial Council, appointing the parliament's upper house and dissolving its elected lower house.[2] : . 15 

List of rulers[edit]

Hakims of Bahrain (1783–1971)[edit]

The Arabic title of the Hakim, as transliterated, was Hakim al-Bahrayn (English: Caretaker/Ruler of Bahrain). The Hakim also held the honorific title of sheikh.

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Reign Notes
Sheikh
Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Khalifa
1783 – 18 July 1795 Leader of the Bani Utbah invasion of Bahrain
Sheikh
Salman bin Ahmad Al Khalifa
1795–1825 As co-regent
Sheikh
Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa
1795–1843 As co-regent
Sheikh
Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa
1825–1834 As co-regent with Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh
Muhammad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
1834–1842 First reign as co-regent with Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh
Muhammad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
1843–1868 Second reign
Sheikh
Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
1868–1869
Sheikh
Muhammad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
1869 Third reign
Sheikh
Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
September – 1 December 1869 Deposed and exiled to India. Confined at Asirgarh Fort, but later removed to Chunar Fort, near Benares, where he died in 1877.
Sheikh
Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa
(1848–1932)
1 December 1869 – 26 May 1923 Abdicated
Sheikh
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
(1872–1942)
27 May 1923 – 20 February 1942
Sheikh
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
(1894–1961)
20 February 1942 – 2 November 1961
Sheikh
Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
(1931–1999)
2 November 1961 – 16 August 1971

Emirs of Bahrain (1971–2002)[edit]

The Arabic title of the Emir, as transliterated, was Amir dawlat al-Bahrayn (English: Chief of the State of Bahrain). The Emir also held the honorific title of sheikh.

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Sheikh
Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
  • عيسى بن سلمان آل خليفة
(1931-06-03)3 June 1931 – 6 March 1999(1999-03-06) (aged 67)16 August 19716 March 1999[3]Son of Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Mouza bint Hamad Al KhalifaKhalifaIsa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain
Sheikh
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
  • حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة
(1950-01-28) 28 January 1950 (age 74)6 March 199914 February 2002
(title changed)[1]
Son of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Hessa bint Salman Al KhalifaKhalifaHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain

King of Bahrain (2002–present)[edit]

The Arabic title of the King, as transliterated, is Malik al-Bahrayn (English: King of Bahrain). The King also holds the honorific title of sheikh.

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
King
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
  • حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة
(1950-01-28) 28 January 1950 (age 74)14 February 2002IncumbentSon of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Hessa bint Salman Al KhalifaKhalifaHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Bahrain becomes kingdom with voter democracy". The Globe and Mail. 15 February 2002. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  2. ^ "(Report). Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. 23 November 2011" (PDF). BICI. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. ^ Jehl, Douglas (7 March 1999). "Sheik Isa, 65, Emir of Bahrain Who Built Non-Oil Economy". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2018.