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List of Bulgarian monarchs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of Bulgarian monarchs from the earliest historical records to 1946, when the monarchy in the country was abolished. Early Bulgarian rulers are believed to have used the title Khan (see Bulgar society for more details), later possibly kniaz, and still later the title tsar. According to Djagfar tarikhy (a 17th century Volga Bulgar source which is widely suspected to be a hoax and is generally not used in historical research), the earliest Bulgar leaders bore the title of baltavar, which some suppose might mean "ruler of Avars".[citation needed]
The title tsar was first adopted and used in Bulgaria by Simeon I following a decisive victory over the Byzantine Empire in 913. It was also used by all of Simeon I's successors until the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule in 1396 . After Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottomans in 1878, its first monarch Alexander I adopted the title kniaz, but as complete independence was officially proclaimed under his successor Ferdinand in 1908, the title was changed to tsar again. Tsar was used by Ferdinand and later by his heir Boris III until the abolition of monarchy in 1946.
Note: before reaching the historical rulers (see below), the Nominalia of the Bulgarian khans mention two legendary or semi-legendary rulers who are described as having lived for centuries: Avitokhol (sometimes identified as Attila the Hun, 300 years) and Irnik (sometimes identified as Attila's son Ernakh, 150 years), as well as a regent, Gostun (2 years).
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At times, the reign in the Bulgar lands was split.
- Krum (803 - 814) of kutriguri
- Omurtag (815 - 831), initially perhaps with co-rulers Dukum (814 - 815) and Dizewg (815)
- Malamir (831 - 836)
- Presian I (836 - 852)
- Boris I Michael (852 - 889)
- Vladimir (889 - 893)
- Simeon I of Bulgaria (Simeon the Great) (893 - 927)
- Peter I (927 - 969)
- Boris II (969 - 972)
- Roman I (972 - 997) (simultaneously with Samuil 976 - 997)
- Samuil (997 - 1014) (joint rule with Roman 976 - 997)
- Gavril Radomir (October 1014 - 1015)
- Ivan Vladislav (1015 - 1018)
- Presian II (1018)
- Peter (II) Delyan (1040 - 1041)
- Constantin Bodin (Peter (III)) (1072)
- joint reign of Teodor (I) Peter (IV) (1186 - 1197) and Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria (1186 - 1196)
- Kaloyan (1197 - 1207)
- Boril (1207 - 1218)
- Ivan Asen II (1218 - 1241)
- Kaliman I (1241 - 1246)
- Michael Asen I (1246 - 1256)
- Kaliman II (1256)
- Mitso Asen (1256 - 1257)
- Constantine I Tikh (1257 - 1277)
- Michael Asen II (1277 - 1279)
- Ivailo the Swineherd (1278 - 1279)
- Ivan Asen III (1279 - 1280)
- Michael III Shishman (1323 - 1330)
- Ivan Stephen (1330 - 1331)
- Ivan Alexander (1331 - 1371)
- Ivan Shishman (1371 - 1395) (in Tarnovo)
- Ivan Stratsimir (1356 - 1397) (in Vidin)
- Constantine II (1397 - 1422) (in Vidin)
| Name | Born-Died | Reign start | Reign end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander I | 1857 - 1893 | 29 April 1879 | 7 September 1886 |
| Name | Born-Died | Reign start | Reign end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferdinand I | 1861 - 1948 | 7 July 1887 (Tsar from 5 October 1908) | 3 October 1918 (abdicated) |
| Boris III | 1894 - 1943 | 3 October 1918 | 28 August 1943 |
| Simeon II | 1937 - | 28 August 1943 | 15 September 1946 (deposed) |