King of Bahrain

monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Bahrain

The King of Bahrain is the monarch and head of state of Bahrain. Between 1783 and 1971, the Bahraini monarch held the title of Hakim. From 1971 until 2002 the title was Emir. On 14 February 2002, the then-Emir of Bahrain, Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, said Bahrain was a kingdom. He made himself the first king.

List of monarchs change

Hakims of Bahrain (1783–1971) change

The Arabic title of the Hakim was Hakim al-Bahrayn. The Hakim also held the honorific title of sheikh.

Name Reign Remarks
From Until
Sheikh Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Khalifa 1783 1796
Sheikh Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa 1796 1843 As co-regent
Sheikh Sulman ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa 1796 1825 As co-regent with Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh Khalifah ibn Sulman Al Khalifa 1825 1834 As co-regent with Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa 1834 1842 First reign as co-regent with Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa 1843 1868 Second reign
Sheikh Ali ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa 1868 1869
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa 1869 1869 Third reign
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al Khalifa September 1869 1 December 1869
HH Sheikh Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa December 1869 9 December 1932
HH Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa 10 December 1932 20 February 1942
HH Sheikh Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifa 20 February 1942 2 November 1961
HH Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa 2 November 1961 16 August 1971 Proclaimed himself Emir

Emirs of Bahrain (1971–2002) change

The Arabic title of the Emir was Amir dawlat al-Bahrayn. The Emir also held the honorific title of sheikh.

Name Image Reign Remarks
From Until
HH Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa   16 August 1971 8 June 1998 Previously ruled as Sheikh
HH Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa   8 June 1998 14 February 2002 Proclaimed himself King

King of Bahrain (2002–Present) change

The Arabic title of the King is Malik al-Bahrayn. The King also holds the honorific title of sheikh.

Name Image Reign Remarks
From Until
HM Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa   14 February 2002 Present Previously ruled as Emir