This is a list of state leaders of the 15th century (1401–1500) AD, excluding leaders within the Holy Roman Empire and South Asia.
These polities are generally sovereign states, but excludes minor dependent territories, whose leaders can be found listed under territorial governors in the 15th century. For completeness, these lists can include colonies, protectorates, or other dependent territories that have since gained sovereignty.
Africa
Africa: Central
Angola
Kingdom of Kongo: Kilukeni (complete list) – Nanga, Manikongo (1410s) Nlaza, Manikongo (1430s) Nkuwu a Ntinu, Manikongo (1450s–1470) João I, Manikongo (1470–1509)
Cameroon
Kingdom of Bamum (complete list) – Nchare Yen, Mfon (1394–1418) Ngoupou, Mfon (1418–1461) Monjou, Mfon (1461–1498) Mengap, Mfon (1498–1519)
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
Rwanda
Kingdom of Rwanda (complete list) – Cyilima Rugwe, Mwami (?–c.1378) Kigeli I Mukobanya, Mwami (1378–1418) Mibambwe I Sekarongoro I Mutabazi, Mwami (15th century) Yuhi wa II Gahima II, Mwami (15th century) Ndahiro II Cyamatare, Mwami (1477–1510)
South Sudan
Shilluk Kingdom – Nyikang, Rädh (c.1490–1517)
Uganda
Buganda (complete list) – Kimera, Kabaka (c.1374–c.1404) Ttembo, Kabaka (c.1404–c.1434) Kiggala, Kabaka (c.1434–c.1464, c.1484–c.1494) Kiyimba, Kabaka (c.1464–c.1484) Kayima, Kabaka (c.1494–c.1524)
Horn of Africa area
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Empire: Solomonic dynasty (complete list) – Dawit I, Emperor (1382–1413) Tewodros I, Emperor (1413–1414) Yeshaq I, Emperor (1414–1429) Andreyas, Emperor (1429–1430) Takla Maryam, Emperor (1430–1433) Sarwe Iyasus, Emperor (1433) Amda Iyasus, Emperor (1433–1434) Zara Yaqob, Emperor (1434–1468) Baeda Maryam I, Emperor (1468–1478) Eskender, Emperor (1478–1494) Amda Seyon II, Emperor (1494) Na'od, Emperor (1494–1508)
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. – Shongetato (also known as the Girra king), King (1425–1460) Odhe/Addiotato, King (1460–1495) Sadi or Shaddi/Shaditato, King (1495–1530)
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)
Somalia
Adal Sultanate: Walashma dynasty (complete list) – Sabr ad-Din II, Sultan (1415–1422) Mansur ad-Din, Sultan (1422–1424) Jamal ad-Din II, Sultan (1424–1433) Badlay ibn Sa'ad ad-Din, Sultan (1433–1445) Muhammad ibn Badlay, Sultan (1445–1472) Shams ad-Din ibn Muhammad, Sultan (1472–1488) Muhammad ibn Azhar ad-Din, Sultan (1488–1518)
Sultanate of Ifat: Walashma dynasty (complete list) – Sa'ad ad-Din II, Sultan (1374–1403)
Warsangali Sultanate – Garaad Siciid, Sultan (1392–1409) Garaad Ahmed, Sultan (1409–1430) Garaad Siciid II, Sultan (1430–1450) Garaad Mohamud II, Sultan (1450–1479) Garaad Ciise II, Sultan (1479–1487) Garaad Omar, Sultan (1487–1495) Garaad Ali Dable, Sultan (1491–1503)
Africa: Northeast
Egypt
Abbasid Caliphate, Cairo (complete list) – al-Musta'in, Caliph (1406–1414) al-Mu'tadid II, Caliph (1414–1441) al-Mustakfi II, Caliph (1441–1451) al-Qa'im, Caliph (1451–1455) al-Mustanjid, Caliph (1455–1479) al-Mutawakkil II, Caliph (1479–1497) al-Mustamsik, Caliph (1497–1508, 1516–1517)
Mamluk Sultanate: Burji dynasty (complete list) – An-Nasir Faraj, Sultan (1399–1405) Izz ad-Din Abd al-Aziz, Sultan (1405) An-Nasir Faraj, Sultan (1405–1412) Al-Musta'in (Cairo), Sultan (1412) Shaykh al-Mahmudi, Sultan (1412–1421) Al-Muzaffar Ahmad, Sultan (1421) Sayf ad-Din Tatar, Sultan (1421) An-Nasir ad-Din Muhammad, Sultan (1421–1422) Barsbay, Sultan (1422–1438) Al-Aziz Jamal ad-Din Yusuf, Sultan (1438) Sayf ad-Din Jaqmaq, Sultan (1438–1453) Al-Mansur Fakhr-ad-Din Uthman, Sultan (1453) Sayf ad-Din Inal, Sultan (1453–1461) Al-Mu'ayyad Shihab al-Din Ahmad, Sultan (1461) Sayf ad-Din Khushqadam, Sultan (1461–1467) Sayf ad-Din Bilbay, Sultan (1467) Timurbugha, Sultan (1467–1468) Qaitbay, Sultan (1468–1496) An-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qaitbay, Sultan (1496–1498) Abu Sa'id Qansuh, Sultan (1498–1500) Al-Ashraf Janbalat, Sultan (1500–1501)
Africa: Northcentral
Ifriqiya
Hafsid dynasty (complete list) – Abd al-Aziz II, Khalif (1394–1434) Muhammad III, Khalif (1434–1436) Uthman, Khalif (1436–1488) Abu Zakariya Yahya, Khalif (1488–1489) Abd al-Mu'min (Hafsid), Khalif (1489–1490) Abu Yahya Zakariya, Khalif (1490–1494) Muhammad IV, Khalif (1494–1526)
Africa: Northwest
Morocco
Morocco (complete list) – Marinid dynasty Abu Said Uthman III, Sultan (1398–1420) Abd al-Haqq II, Sultan (1420–1465) Idrisid interlude Muhammad ibn Ali Amrani-Joutey, Sultan (1465–1471) Wattasid dynasty Muhammad ibn Yahya, Sultan (1472–1505)
Africa: South
Mozambique
Portuguese Mozambique (complete list) – Colony, 1498–1972 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Zimbabwe
Kingdom of Mutapa (complete list) – Nyatsimba Mutota, Mwenemutapa (c.1430) Matope Nyanhehwe Nebedza, Mwenemutapa (c.1450–1480) Mavura Maobwe, Mwenemutapa (1480) Nyahuma Mukombero, Mwenemutapa (1480–1490) Changamire, Mwenemutapa (1490–1494) Chikuyo Chisamarengu, Mwenemutapa (1494–c.1530)
Rozvi Empire (complete list) – Changamire I, King (c.1480–1494) Changamire II, King (1494–1530)
Africa: West
Benin
Kingdom of Benin (complete list) – Orobiru, Oba (1397–1434) Uwaifiokun, Oba (1434–1440) Ezoti, Oba (1473–1474) Ewuare I, Oba (1440–1473) Olua, Oba (1475–1480) Ozolua, Oba (1480–1504)
Burkina Faso
Mossi Kingdom of Nungu (complete list) – Tenin, Nunbado (1395–1425) Tokurma, Nunbado (1425–1470) Gima, Nunbado (1470–1520)
Cape Verde
Portuguese Cape Verde (complete list) – Colony, 1462–1951 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Guinea-Bissau
Portuguese Guinea (complete list) – Colony, 1474–1951 For details see the Kingdom of Portugal under Southwest Europe
Mali
Mali Empire: Keita dynasty (complete list) – Musa III, Mansa (1400–c.1440) Uli II, Mansa (c.1440–1481) Mahmud II, Mansa (1481–1496) Mahmud III, Mansa (1496–1559)
Songhai Empire (complete list) – Sonni dynasty Sunni Souleïmân-Dâma, King (?–c.1464) Sonni Ali, King (1464–1492) Sonni Baru, King (1492–1493) Askiya dynasty Askia Mohammad I, King (1493–1529)
Nigeria
Bornu Empire (Kanem–Bornu)Dates calculated on the basis of Lange, Diwan, 77-94; id., Kingdoms, 552. (complete list) – Bir III, Mai (1383–1415) Uthman III Kaliwama, Mai (1415–1415) Dunama III, Mai (1415–1417) Abdallah III Dakumuni, Mai (1417–1425) Ibrahim II, Mai (1425–1433) Kaday III, Mai (1433–1434) Ahmad Dunama IV, Mai (1434–1438) Muhammad II, Mai (1438) Amr, Mai (1438–1439) Muhammad III, Mai (1439) Ghazi, Mai (1439–1444) Uthman IV, Mai (1444–1449) Umar II, Mai (1449–1450) Muhammad IV, Mai (1450–1455) Ali Gazi, Mai (1455–1487) Idris Katakarmabe, Mai (1487–1509)
Oyo Empire (complete list) – Kori, Alaafin (c.1400–?) Oluaso, Alaafin (?–c.1500)
Sultanate of Kano (complete list) – Kanejeji, Sultan (1390–1410) Umaru, Sultan (1410–1421) Daud, Sultan (1421–1438) Abdullah Burja, Sultan (1438–1452) Dakauta, Sultan (1452) Atuma, Sultan (1452) Yaquled (1452–1463) Muhammad Rumfa, Sultan (1463–1499) Abdullahi dan Rumfa, Sultan (1499–1509)
Kingdom of Nri (complete list) – Eze Nri Ọmalonyeso, King (1391–1464) Eze Nri Anyamata, King (1465–1511)
Senegal
Jolof / Wolof Empire (complete list) – N'Diklam Sare, Buur-ba (1390–1420) Tyukuli N'Diklam, Buur-ba (1420–1440) Leeyti Tyukuli, Buur-ba (1440–1450) N'Dyelen Mbey Leeyti, Buur-ba (1450–1465) Birayma N'dyeme Eler, Buur-ba (1465–1481) Tase Daagulen, Buur-ba (1481–1488) Birayma Kuran Kan, Buur-ba (1488–1492) Bukaar Biye-Sungule, Buur-ba (1492–1527)
Saloum (complete list) – Mbegan Ndour, Maad Saloum (c.1493)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
Mexico
Azcapotzalco – Tezozomoc, Tlatoani (1353/71–1426) Tayatzin, Tlatoani (1426) Maxtla, Tlatoani (1426–1428/31) Temozomoc II, Tlatoani (1474–1499) Don Carlos Oquiztzin, Tlatoani (1499–c.1520)
Mixtec – Dzawindanda / Atonal (II), ruler (?–1458)
Tarascan state (complete list) – Hiripan, Cazonci (?–c.1430) Tangáxuan I, Cazonci (1430–1454) Tzitzipandáquare, Cazonci (1454–1479) Zuangua, Cazonci (1479–1520)
Tenochtitlan (complete list) – under the Tepanec suzerainty Huitzilihuitl, Tlatoani (1395-c.1417) Chimalpopoca, Tlatoani (1417–1426)
Tenochtitlan of the Aztec Empire (complete list) – Emperors of the Triple Alliance (Aztec Empire) Itzcoatl, Hueyi Tlatoani(1427–1440) Moteuczomatzin Ilhuicamina, Hueyi Tlatoani () Axayacatl, Hueyi Tlatoani (1469–1481) Tizoc, Hueyi Tlatoani (1481–1486) Ahuitzotl, Hueyi Tlatoani (1486–1502)
Tepanec – Tetzotzomoc, Tlatoani (1367–1426) Tayauh, Tlatoani (1426) Maxtla, Tlatoani (1426–1428)
Tlacopan – Totoquilhuaztli, Tlatoani (c.1400–1430) Totoquilhuaztli, Tlatoani (1430–1469) Chimalpopoca, Tlatoani (1469–?)
Zapotec civilization – Zaachila – Zaachila Yoo, King (1386–1415) Zaachila II, King (1415–1454) Zaachila III, King (1454–1487) Cocijoeza / Cosijoeza, King (1487–1521)
Americas: South
Incas
Kingdom of Cusco (complete list) – Yawar Waqaq, Inca (c.1380–1410) Viracocha, Inca (c.1410–1438)
Inca Empire (complete list) – Pachacuti, Sapa Inca (1438–1471/72) Topa, Sapa Inca (1471–1493) Huayna Capac, Sapa Inca (1493–1525)
Colombia
Muisca Confederation Zaque (complete list) – Goranchacha, Zaque (?) Hunzahúa, Zaque (?-1470) Michuá, Zaque (1470-1490) Quemuenchatocha, Zaque (1490-1537) Zipa (complete list) – Menquetá, Zipa (?) Meicuchuca, Zipa (1450-1470) Saguamanchica, Zipa (1470-1490) Nemequene, Zipa (1490-1514)
Asia
Asia: Central
Kazakhstan
Western Chagatai Khanate (complete list) – From 1370 on, the Chagatai Khans were puppets of Timur Mahmud, Khan (1384–1402)
Moghulistan, Eastern Chagatai Khanate (complete list) – Shams-i-Jahan, Khan (1399–1408) Muhammad Khan (Khan of Moghulistan), Khan (1408–1415) Naqsh-i-Jahan, Khan (1415–1418) Awais Khan, Khan (1418–1421) Sher Muhammad, Khan (1421–1425) Awais Khan, Khan (1425–1429) Satuq Khan, Khan (1429–1434) Esen Buqa II, Khan (1429–1462)
Moghulistan, (complete list) – Yunus, Khan of Western Moghulistan (1462–1469) Dost Muhammad, Khan of Eastern Moghulistan (1462–1468) Kebek Oghlan, Khan of Eastern Moghulistan (1469) Yunus, Khan of All Moghulistan (1469–1487) Ahmad Alaq, Khan of Eastern Moghulistan (1487–1503) Mahmud, Khan of Western Moghulistan (1487–1508)
Kazakh Khanate (complete list) – Kerei, Khan (1456–1473) Janibek, Khan (1473–1480) Burunduk, Khan (1480–1511)
Kara Del Engke Temür, Khan (1393–1405) Vassal of China, 1404–1430s Toqto, Khan (1405–1411) Mengli Temür, Khan (1411–1425) Vassal of the Northern Yuan dynasty, 1430s–1455 Budaširi, Khan (1425–1439) Khalīl sulṭān, Khan (1439–1457) Vassal of China, 1455–1457 Bürege, Khan (1457–1460) Nugandaširi, Khan (1460–1472) Baγ Temür, Rival Khan (1466–1472) Qanšin, Khan (1472–1488) Engke Bolad, Khan (1488–1492, 1493–1497) Šamba, Khan (1492–1493, 1497–1505)
Russia
Golden Horde (complete list) – Shadi Beg, Khan (1399–1407), actual ruler was Edigu Pulad, Khan (1407–1410), actual ruler was Edigu Temür, Khan (1410–1412) Jalal ad-Din khan, Khan (1411–1412) Karim Berdi ibn Tokhtamysh, Khan (1412–1414) Kebek ibn Tokhtamysh, Khan (1414) Chokra ibn Akmyl, Khan (1414–1417) Jabbar Berdi, Khan (1417–1419) Olugh Mokhammad, Khan (1419–1421, 1428–1433) Dawlat Berdi, Khan (1419–1421, 1427–1432) Baraq, Khan (1422–1427) Seyid Akhmed, Khan (1433–1435) Küchük Muhammad, Khan (1435–1459)
Great Horde (complete list) – Mahmud, Khan (1459–1465)