A Chronological Guide to Bangladesh’s Eleven Prime Ministers

Following a landslide victory in the 13th General Election, Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has officially been sworn in as the nation’s 11th Prime Minister. This historic transition marks a significant moment in the country's democratic journey, making him the first second-generation leader from a prime ministerial family to hold the office.

Since the dawn of independence in 1971, Bangladesh has been governed by eleven individuals, each serving under vastly different political climates and tenures.

The Pioneers of Independence

The inaugural holder of the office was Tajuddin Ahmad, who led the Mujibnagar Government during the Liberation War. He assumed office on 17 April 1971 and served until 12 January 1972. Following him, the nation's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, took the mantle, serving for just over three years before the transition to a presidential system in 1975.

The Era of Political Flux

The mid-1970s and 80s saw a series of appointments, often influenced by shifting political allegiances and military interventions. Muhammad Mansur Ali served a brief tenure in 1975, while Shah Azizur Rahman held the position for nearly three years under the presidency of Ziaur Rahman. During the Ershad era, the role was occupied by several figures, including Ataur Rahman Khan, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, Moudud Ahmed, and Kazi Zafar Ahmed, whose tenures varied from a few months to two years.

The Rise of Multi-Party Democracy

The 1991 elections heralded a new age of democratic governance. Begum Khaleda Zia made history not only as the ninth Prime Minister but also as the country’s first female head of government. Across three separate terms, she led the nation for over a decade. Her contemporary, Sheikh Hasina, also held the office across multiple terms, including a significant period of continuous governance that ended in August 2024.

Prime Ministers of Bangladesh: At a Glance

The New Chapter

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's ascension to power on 17 February 2026 comes after 17 years of forced exile in London. His return to Bangladesh on 25 December 2025 was shadowed by personal tragedy, as his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed bay just five days later. His administration now faces the monumental task of national reconstruction following the student-led uprising that reshaped the political landscape.