Yemen was a monarchy-ruled nation for centuries like most other Arab countries and so the
King of Yemen was a very important administrative figure. Though the present boundary of Yemen was not always the limitation of the rule, different parts of Yemen had been ruled by different kings. The monarchy in Yemen had been monopolized by Muslim rulers. This had a distinct effect on the culture of the place. The last dynasty to have ruled the country of Yemen, occupied the regions of Shihr and Maklla. They belonged to a branch of the Hamid-ud dynasty.
However, the powers of the kings of Yemen were limited during the British rule in the region. The British forces had occupied Yemen 1839 and it was only in 1926, that the colonialists recognized Yahya bin Muhammad as the king of Yemen. The rule Yahya Khan was frequently interrupted by revolts, strifes and much bloodshed. Finally, this Yemen king was assassinated in 1948. The tradition of monarchical rule continued even after this until 1967. The last of the kings of Yemen was Nasir bin Abdullah. The Sultans of Yemen from 1887 to 1967 belonged to the Fadhli Sultanate.
- Ahmad I (1887-1907)
- Hussain bin Ahmad (1907-1924)
- Abdül Qadar (1924-1927)
- Abdüllah (1927-1936)
- Salih (1936-1941)
- Abdüllah bin Othman (1941-1962)
- Ahmad II (1962-1964)
- Nasir bin Abdüllah (1964-1967)
The administration of the country is now democratic, as the post of '
King of Yemen' has now become invalid.
