| King ofthe Kingdom of Bahrain | |
|---|---|
| ملك مملكة البحرين Malik Mamlakat al-Bahrayn | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
 | |
| Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa since 6 March 1999 as Emir since 14 February 2002 as King | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| First monarch | Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Khalifa (Hakim) Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah (King) |
| Formation | 1783 (Hakimmiyah) 16 August 1971 (Emirate) 14 February 2002 (Kingdom) |
| Residence | Riffa Palace |
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| Judiciary |
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| Administrative divisions(governorates) |
Related topics |
 Bahrain portal |
TheKing of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic:ملك مملكة البحرينMalik Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn) is themonarch andhead of state of theKingdom of Bahrain. TheHouse of Khalifa has been the ruling family of the country since the1783 Arab invasion that led to the end ofPersian rule in Bahrain. Between 1783 and 1971, the Bahraini monarch held the title ofhakim, and, from 1971 until 2002, the title ofemir. 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 theprime minister and thecabinet, holding supreme command over theDefence Force, chairing theHigher Judicial Council, appointing theparliament'supper house and dissolving its electedlower house.[2]
TheArabic title of theHakim, astransliterated, wasHakim al-Bahrayn (English:Caretaker/Ruler of Bahrain). The Hakim also held thehonorific title ofsheikh.
| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Khalifa | 1783 – 18 July 1795 | Leader of the1783 Arab invasion | |
| Sheikh Salman bin Ahmad Al Khalifa | 1795–1825 | Asco-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 toIndia. Confined atAsirgarh Fort, but later removed toChunar Fort, nearBenares, where he died in 1877. | |
.png) | Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa (1848–1932) | 1 December 1869 – 26 May 1923 | Abdicated |
.png) | 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 |
The Arabic title of theEmir, as transliterated, wasAmir dawlat al-Bahrayn (English:Chief of the State of Bahrain). The Emir also held the honorific title of sheikh.
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
| (1931-06-03)3 June 1931 – 6 March 1999(1999-03-06) (aged 67) | 16 August 1971 | 6 March 1999[3] | Son ofSalman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Mouza bint Hamad Al Khalifa | Khalifa | |
| Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
| (1950-01-28)28 January 1950 (age 75) | 6 March 1999 | 14 February 2002 (title changed)[1] | Son ofIsa bin Salman Al Khalifa andHessa bint Salman Al Khalifa | Khalifa | |
The Arabic title of the King, as transliterated, isMalik al-Bahrayn (English:King of Bahrain). The King also holds the honorific title of sheikh.
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
| (1950-01-28)28 January 1950 (age 75) | 14 February 2002 | Incumbent | Son ofIsa bin Salman Al Khalifa andHessa bint Salman Al Khalifa | Khalifa | |
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