This is a list of state leaders in the 16th century (1501–1600) AD, except for the leaders within the Holy Roman Empire, and the leaders within South Asia.
These polities are generally sovereign states, but excludes minor dependent territories, whose leaders can be found listed under territorial governors in the 16th century. For completeness, these lists can include colonies, protectorates, or other dependent territories that have since gained sovereignty.
Africa
Africa: Central
Angola
Kasanje Kingdom (complete list) – Kulembe, King (1560s) Kinguri, King (1560s)
Kingdom of Kongo (complete list) – Kilukeni dynasty João I, Manikongo (1470–1509) Afonso I, Manikongo (1509–c.1542) Pedro I, Manikongo (c.1543–1545) Diogo I Nkumbi a Mpudi, Manikongo (1545–1561) Afonso II, Manikongo (1561) Bernardo I, Manikongo (1561–1567) Henrique I, Manikongo (1567–1568) Kwilu dynasty Álvaro I, Manikongo (1568–1587) Álvaro II, Manikongo (1587–1614)
Kingdom of Matamba (complete list) – Kambolo Matamba, King (fl.1590s)
Portuguese Angola (complete list) – Colony, 1575–1951 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Cameroon
Bafut (complete list) – Feurlu, King (1516–1552) Nebasi Suh, King (1552–1570) Ambebi Ferh, King (1570–1635)
Kingdom of Bamum (complete list) – Mengap, Mfon (1498–1519) Ngouh I, Mfon (1519–1544) Fifen, Mfon (1544–1568) Ngouh II, Mfon (1568–1590) Ngapna, Mfon (1590–1629)
Chad
Sultanate of Bagirmi (complete list) – Birni Besse, Mbangi (1522–1536) Lubatko, Mbangi (1536–1548) Malo, Mbangi (1548–1568) ‘Abdallah, Mbangi (1568–1608)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Kuba Kingdom (complete list)Joyce (M.A.) & Torday (E.), Notes ethnographiques sur les peuples communément appelés Bakuba, ainsi que sur les peuplades apparentées, les Bushongo. Bruxelles 1910; page 17–19 – Lushanjela Shanga, Nyim (16th century) Bo Shanga, Nyim (16th century) Shamba Bolongongo, Nyim (c.1600)
Kingdom of Lunda (complete list) – Nkonda Matit, Mwaantaangaand (late 16th century)
Congo, Republic of the
Kingdom of Loango (complete list) – Moe Poaty I Kamangou, King (16th or 17th century)
São Tomé and Príncipe
Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe (complete list) – Colony, 1470–1951 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Africa: East
Great Lakes area
Burundi
Kingdom of Burundi (complete list) – Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama, King (c.1530–c.1550) Mwezi I Baridamunka, King (c.1550–c.1580) Mutaga I Mutabazi, King (c.1580–c.1600)
Rwanda
Kingdom of Rwanda (complete list) – Ndahiro II Cyamatare, Mwami (1477–1510) Ruganzu II Ndoli, Mwami (1510–early 16th century) Karemera Rwaka, Mwami (16th century) Mutara I Nsoro III Semugeshi, Mwami (16th century) Kigeli II Nyamuheshera, King (1576–1609)
South Sudan
Shilluk Kingdom – Nyikang, Rädh (c.1490–1517) Odaagø Ocøllø, Rädh (c.1600–1635)
Uganda
Buganda (complete list) – Kayima, Kabaka (c.1494–c.1524) Nakibinge, Kabaka (c.1524–c.1554) Mulondo, Kabaka (c.1555–1564) Jemba, Kabaka (c.1564–c.1584) Suuna I, Kabaka (c.1584–c.1614)
Horn of Africa area
Eritrea
Medri Bahri – Yeshaq, Bahr Negus (?–1578)
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Empire: Solomonic dynasty (complete list) – Na'od, Emperor (1494–1508) Dawit II, Emperor (1508–1540) Gelawdewos, Emperor (1540–1559) Menas, Emperor (1559–1563) Sarsa Dengel, Emperor (1563–1597) Yaqob, Emperor (1597–1603, 1604–1606)
Ennarea (complete list)Information about pre-Oromo kings from Werner J. Lange, History of the Southern Gonga (Southwestern Ethiopia), (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner, 1982), pp. 28–30. – Kaba Seyon, Hinnare-tato (c.1450–1530) Sepenihi, Hinnare-tato (mid 16th century) La'ashonhi, Hinnare-tato (c.1570–1580) Badancho, Hinnare-tato (c.1580–1603)
Kingdom of Garo (complete list)Werner J. Lange, History of the Southern Gonga (Southwestern Ethiopia) (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner, 1982), p. 64. – Ambiraj, Tato (1567–1600)
Kingdom of Kaffa (complete list)C.F. Beckingham and G.W.B. Huntingford, Some Records of Ethiopia, 1593–1646 (London: Hakluyt Society, 1954), p. lvi. Amnon Orent, "Refocusing on the History of Kafa prior to 1897: A Discussion of Political Processes" in African Historical Studies, Vol. 3, No. 2. (1970), p. 268. – Sadi, King (1495–1530) Madi Gafine/Gafo, King (1530–1565) Bong-he, King (1565–1605)
Kingdom of Welayta: Tigre dynasty (complete list)C.F. Beckingham and G.W.B. Huntingford, Some Records of Ethiopia, 1593–1646 (London: Hakluyt Society, 1954), pp. lxv – lxvii. – Mikael, Kawa (c.1560) Girma, Kawa (16th century)
Somalia
Adal Sultanate: Walashma dynasty (complete list) – Muhammad ibn Azhar ad-Din, Sultan (1488–1518) Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad, Sultan (1525–1526) Umar Din, Sultan (1526–1553) Ali ibn Umar Din, Sultan (1553–1555) Barakat ibn Umar Din, Sultan (1555–1559)
Warsangali Sultanate – Garad Ali Dable, Sultan (1491–1503) Garad Liban, Sultan (1503–1525) Garad Yuusuf, Sultan (1525–1555) Garad Mohamud III, Sultan (1555–1585) Garad Abdale, Sultan (1585–1612)
Madagascar
Merina Kingdom (complete list) – Rangita, Queen (1520–1530) Rafohy, Queen (1530–1540) Andriamanelo, King (1540–1575) Ralambo, King (1575–1612)
Africa: Northcentral
Ifriqiya
Hafsid dynasty (complete list) – Muhammad IV, Khalif (1494–1526) Muhammad V, Khalif (1526–1543) Ahmad III, Khalif (1543–1570) Muhammad VI, Khalif (1574–1574) Jafari "Jafari the Clean" Yahya, Khalif (1574–1581) Alem Nafirr, Khalif (1581)
Africa: Northeast
Egypt
Abbasid Caliphate, Cairo (complete list) – al-Mustamsik, Caliph (1497–1508, 1516–1517) al-Mutawakkil III, Caliph (1508–1516, 1517)
Mamluk Sultanate: Burji dynasty (complete list) – Al-Ashraf Janbalat, Sultan (1500–1501) Tuman bay I, Sultan (1501) Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghuri, Sultan (1501–1516) Tuman bay II, Sultan (1516–1517)
Sudan
Funj Sultanate (complete list) – Amara Dunqas, Sultan (1503–1533/4) Nayil, Sultan (1533/4–1550/1) Abd al-Qadir I, Sultan (1550/1–1557/8) Abu Sakikin, Sultan (1557/8–1568) Dakin, Sultan (1568–1585/6) Dawra, Sultan (1585/6–1587/8) Tayyib, Sultan (1587/8–1591) Unsa I, Sultan (1591–1603/4)
Africa: Northwest
Morocco
Wattasid dynasty of Morocco (complete list) – Muhammad ibn Yahya, Sultan (1472–1505) Muhammad ibn Muhammad, Sultan (1505–1524) Ahmad ibn Muhammad, Sultan (1524–1545, 1545–1547) Muhammad ibn Ahmad, Sultan (1545–1547) Ahmad ibn Muhammad, Sultan (1524–1545, 1545–1547)
Saadi dynasty of Morocco (complete list) – Muhammad ash-Sheikh, Sultan (1549–1554, 1554–1557) Abdallah al-Ghalib, Sultan (1557–1574) Muhammad al-Mutawakkil, Sultan (1574–1576) Abd al-Malik I, Sultan (1576–1578) Ahmad al-Mansur, Sultan (1578–1603)
Africa: South
Angola
Kingdom of Ndongo (complete list) – Kiluanji Kia Samba, Ngola (c. 1515–1556) as an independent state Ndambi, Ngola (1556–1561) Kiluanji kia Ndambi, Ngola (1561–1575) Kilombo kia Kasenda, Ngola (1575–1592) Mbandi a Ngola, Ngola (1592–1617)
Mozambique
Portuguese Mozambique (complete list) – Colony, 1498–1972 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Zimbabwe
Kingdom of Mutapa (complete list) – Chikuyo Chisamarengu, Mwenemutapa (1494–c.1530) Neshangwe Munembire, Mwenemutapa (c.1530–c.1550) Chivere Nyasoro, Mwenemutapa (c.1550–1560) Negomo Chirisamhuru, Mwenemutapa (1560–1589) Gatsi Rusere, Mwenemutapa (1589–1623)
Rozvi Empire (complete list) – Changamire II, King (1494–1530) Changamire Tumbare, King (1530–c.1660)
Africa: West
Benin
Abomey (complete list) – Do-Aklin, ruler (c.1600)
Kingdom of Benin (complete list) – Ozolua, Oba (1480–1504) Esigie, Oba (1504–1547) Orhogbua, Oba (1547–1580) Ehengbuda, Oba (1580–1602)
Burkina Faso
Mossi Kingdom of Nungu (complete list) – Gima, Nunbado (1470–1520) Gori, Nunbado (1520–1553) Bogora, Nunbado (1553–1571) Kampadiboaghi, Nunbado (1571–1615)
Cape Verde
Portuguese Cape Verde (complete list) – Colony, 1462–1951 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Ghana
Agona (complete list) – Mumunumfi, Agonahene (1588–1620)
Guinea-Bissau
Kaabu – Sama Koli, ruler (1537–?)
Portuguese Guinea (complete list) – Colony, 1474–1951 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Mali
Mali Empire: Keita dynasty (complete list) – Mahmud III, Mansa (1496–1559) Mahmud IV, Mansa (1590s–1600s)
Songhai Empire: Askiya dynasty (complete list) – Askia Mohammad I, King (1493–1529) Askia Musa, King (1529–1531) Askia Mohammad Benkan, King (1531–1537) Askia Isma'il, King (1537–1539) Askia Ishaq I, King (1539–1549) Askia Daoud, King (1549–1582/83) Askia Al-Hajj, King (1582–1586) Askiya Muhammed Bani, son of Askiya Dawud, King (1586–1588) Askia Ishaq II, King (1588–1592)
Niger
Dendi Kingdom: Askiya dynasty (complete list) – Muhammad Gao, Askiya (1592) Nuh I, Askiya (c.1592–1599)The Tarikh al-Sudan states that Askiya Nuh ruled for 7 years. al-Mustafa, Askiya (c.1600)
Nigeria
Bornu Empire (Kanem–Bornu) (complete list) – Idris Katakarmabe, Mai (1487–1509)Dates calculated on the basis of Lange, Diwan, 77-94; id., Kingdoms, 552. Muhammad V Aminami, Mai (1509–1538) Ali II of Bornu, Mai (1538–1539) Dunama V Ngumarsmma, Mai (1539–1557) Dala, Mai (1557–1564) Idris Alooma, Mai (1564–1596)From now on dates follow Lange, Diwan, 80-94. Muhammed VI Bukalmarami, Mai (1596–1612)
Oyo Empire (complete list) – Onigbogi, Alaafin (c.1500–?) Ofirin, Alaafin (16th century) Eguguojo, Alaafin (16th century) Orompoto, Alaafin (?–c.1600)
Sultanate of Kano (complete list) – Abdullahi dan Rumfa, Sultan (1499–1509) Muhammad Kisoki, Sultan (1509–1565) Yakubu, Sultan (1565) Abu-Bakr Kado, Sultan (1565–1573) Muhammad Shashere, Sultan (1573–1582) Muhammad Zaki, Sultan (1582–1618)
Kingdom of Nri (complete list) – Eze Nri Anyamata, King (1465–1511) Eze Nri Fenenu, King (1512–1582) Eze Nri Agụ, King (1583–1676)
Senegal
Jolof Empire/ Kingdom (complete list) – Bukaar Biye-Sungule, Buur-ba (1492–1527) Birayma Dyeme-Kumba, Buur-ba (1527–1543) Leele Fuli Fak, Buur-ba (1543–1549) al-Buri Penda, Buur-ba (1549–1566) Lat-Samba, Buur-ba (1566–1597) Gireun Buri Dyelen, Buur-ba (1597–1605)
Cayor (complete list) – Detie Fu Ndiogu, ruler (1549–?)
Saloum (complete list) – Malaw tane Joof, (variation: Maléotane Diouf - French spelling in Senegal), Maad Saloum (1567)Ba, Abdou Bouri, « Essai sur l’histoire du Saloum et du Rip » (avant-propos par Charles Becker et Victor Martin), Bulletin de l'IFAN, tome 38, série B, numéro 4, octobre 1976
Americas
Americas: North
Canada
Canada (New France) (complete list) – French colony, 1535–1763 For details see France under western Europe
Mexico
Tenochtitlan of the Aztec Empire (complete list) – Ahuitzotl, 8th Hueyi Tlatoani (1486–1502) Moctezuma II Xocoyotzin, 9th Hueyi Tlatoani (1502–1520) Cuitalahuac II, 10th Hueyi Tlatoani (1520) Cuauhtémoc, 11th Hueyi Tlatoani (1520–1521) Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire Juan Velázquez Tlacotzin, Cihuacoatl (1525–1526) Andrés de Tapia Motelchiuh, Cuauhtlato (1525–1530) Pablo Xochiquentzin, Cuauhtlato (1530–1536) Diego de Alvarado Huanitzin, Tlatoani (1538–1541) Diego de San Francisco Tehuetzquititzin, Tlatoani (1541–1554)
Tarascan state (complete list) – Zuangua, Cazonci (1479–1520) Tangáxuan II, Cazonci (1520–1530)
Tlaxcala (Nahua state) –
Ocotelolco – Maxixcatl, Tlatoani (?–1520)
Tizatlan – Xicotencatl I, Tlatoani (1425–1522) Xicotencatl II, Tlacochcalcatl, de facto ruler (?–1521)
Zapotec civilization –
Zaachila – Cocijoeza, Emperor (1487–1529)
Tehuantepec – Cosijopii I, King (1529–1563)
Viceroyalty of New Spain (complete list) – Spanish Colony, 1521–1821 For details see Spain in southwest Europe
Americas: South
Brazil
Colonial Brazil (complete list) – Portuguese colony, 1500/1534–1808 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Chile
Captaincy General of Chile (complete list) – Spanish Colony, 1541–1818 For details see Spain in southwest Europe
Colombia
Muisca Confederation Zaque (complete list) – Quemuenchatocha, Zaque (1490–1537) Aquiminzaque, Zaque (1537–1540) Zipa (complete list) – Nemequene, Zipa (1490–1514) Tisquesusa, Zipa (1514–1537)