Government

Junagadh State Junagadh was a princely state on the Kathiawar peninsula in Gujarat, ruled by the Muslim Babi dynasty under British suzerainty; its 1947 accession dispute led to integration with I…

Junta: military councils, origins, history and modern examples Junta An overview of juntas — military councils that seize power, their characteristics, historical examples, and contemporary uses of the term, including civilian regional bodies in Spa…

Justice Select Committee (House of Commons oversight body) Justice Select Committee A Commons select committee that scrutinises the Ministry of Justice, related public bodies and sentencing guidance, holding inquiries, taking evidence and publishing recommendation…

Kaiser: Imperial Title in German-Speaking Europe Kaiser Kaiser is the German form of 'Caesar' used as the title for emperors in Central Europe, notably the Holy Roman, Austrian and German emperors until the end of World War I.

Kaji Khalak: The four chief Kaji families of the Shah-era Kingdom of Nepal Kaji Khalak family A concise account of the Kaji Khalak — the Thapa, Pande, Basnet and Kunwar families — hereditary Kaji nobles from the Kshatriya/Kshetri (Khas) community who shaped military and cou…

Kamakura shogunate: Japan’s first military government (1185–1333) Kamakura shogunate The Kamakura shogunate (Kamakura bakufu) was Japan’s first enduring warrior-led government, established by the Minamoto after the Genpei War. It created new military offices, a dua…

Kansas Board of Regents: Statewide Higher Education Governance Kansas Board of Regents The Kansas Board of Regents sets policy and coordinates public higher education in Kansas, overseeing six state universities, community and technical colleges, and statewide academ…

Kansas Department of Corrections State agency responsible for Kansas adult and juvenile corrections, parole supervision, reentry programs and facility management; headquartered in Topeka and working with the state…

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Kansas Department of Transportation State agency responsible for planning, building, and maintaining Kansas roadways, bridges, rail and transportation programs; provides safety, funding and project management across…

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism State cabinet-level agency responsible for conserving wildlife, operating state parks, enforcing hunting and fishing laws, and promoting outdoor recreation and tourism in Kansas.

Kansas House of Representatives Lower chamber of the Kansas State Legislature. A 125-member body elected to two-year terms, meeting in Topeka to draft and pass state laws, approve budgets, and represent Kansas di…

Kansas Insurance Commissioner State official who regulates insurance companies and agents in Kansas, enforces insurance laws, protects consumers, oversees solvency and market conduct, and provides consumer assi…

Kansas Senate Upper chamber of the Kansas Legislature. The Kansas Senate has 40 members who review, amend, and approve state laws, budgets, and certain appointments; membership and leadership re…

Kansas State Cabinet: role, composition, and functions Kansas State Cabinet Overview of the Kansas State Cabinet, its composition, appointment process, responsibilities, and how it interacts with the governor and elected state officials.

Kansas State Treasurer Overview of the Kansas State Treasurer: duties, structure, history, public programs, and role in state finance and accountability.

Kansas's 2nd congressional district Federal congressional district covering much of eastern Kansas, including Topeka and Lawrence; a mix of urban, college-town, and rural areas with a competitive political history.

Kansas's 3rd congressional district A U.S. congressional district covering the Kansas portion of the Kansas City area, encompassing urban and suburban communities in Wyandotte, Johnson, and part of Miami counties.

Kansas's 4th congressional district A U.S. congressional district in south-central Kansas centered on Wichita. It combines urban and rural areas, is an aviation and manufacturing hub, and has tended toward Republican…

Karbala Governorate (Iraq) Karbala Governorate Karbala Governorate is an administrative province in central Iraq centered on the holy city of Karbala, noted for its Shia shrines, large pilgrimages, and a mix of religious touris…

Karlsruhe (Regierungsbezirk) — government region in Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Government Region Karlsruhe is one of four administrative regions of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, centered on the city of Karlsruhe. It covers parts of the Upper Rhine plain, Kraichgau and Black Fore…

Kelantan Sultanate The Kelantan Sultanate is the hereditary monarchy of Kelantan, Malaysia. This article explains its constitutional role, historical origins, succession customs, and relationship to…

Khatumo State (self‑declared administration in Somalia) Khatumo State Khatumo State is a self‑declared, unrecognized administration formed in 2012 by Dhulbahante clan leaders to govern parts of northern Somalia (Sool, Sanaag and Cayn). Its territory…

Khedive — title, powers, and history of Egypt's viceroyal governors Khedive Khedive was a viceroyal title used in Egypt in the 19th and early 20th centuries for a ruler who acted as the Ottoman monarch's representative and later as a British-influenced sov…

King: role, succession, and variations of hereditary rulers King Overview of kingship: definitions, powers, succession methods, regional titles (shah, sultan, malik), consorts, historical development, and how monarchies function today.

King of Arms: senior heraldic officer who grants and oversees coats of arms King of Arms A King of Arms is the senior officer of heralds who grants, records and enforces coats of arms and directs ceremonial heraldic business; arrangements vary between England, Scotland…

King of Bahrain Monarch and head of state of Bahrain. The office traces a line from Hakims to Emirs and, since 2002, Kings. The position combines ceremonial status with substantial executive autho…

King of Cambodia The monarch and ceremonial head of state of Cambodia: role, selection, history from ancient Khmer rulers to the modern constitutional monarchy and notable examples.

King of Saudi Arabia — role, history, and significance King of Saudi Arabia The King of Saudi Arabia is the monarch, head of state and government of the Kingdom, holder of the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and leader of the House of Saud with br…

Kingdom (political and historical concept) Kingdom A kingdom is a sovereign state traditionally ruled by a monarch — a king or queen. Kingdoms range from absolute monarchies to constitutional realms and have evolved through history…

Kingdom of Saxony (1806–1918) Kingdom of Saxony A concise overview of the Kingdom of Saxony: its origins from the Electorate, Napoleonic transformation, role in 19th‑century Germany, culture, economy and the end of the monarchy…

Kingdom of Tungning (1661–1683): Ming loyalist rule in Taiwan Kingdom of Tungning A Ming-loyalist polity established on Taiwan by Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) after the fall of the Ming, ruling 1661–1683. It was the island's first sustained Han Chinese government a…

Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918–1941) Kingdom of Yugoslavia A constitutional monarchy formed after World War I as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929; an ethnically diverse state that folded into wartime oc…

Knesset — the national legislature of Israel Knesset The Knesset is Israel’s unicameral parliament. This article explains its composition, powers, procedures, history, and political role, and notes distinctive features of Israel’s pr…

Kohat Division (former administrative division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) Kohat Division Kohat Division was a mid‑level administrative unit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Created in 1976 from Peshawar Division, it included Kohat, Karak and Hangu districts until divis…

Koofur Orsi (South West State of Somalia) Koofur Orsi Koofur Orsi, also called Koonfur-Galbeed or South West State, is a federal member state in southwestern Somalia with mixed coastal and inland areas, notable towns, and a history ti…

Köprülü family — an Ottoman political dynasty Köprülü family An influential Ottoman family of Albanian origin whose members served as grand viziers in the 17th–18th centuries and led a temporary administrative and military revival known as t…

Kuril Islands dispute A long-standing territorial disagreement between Japan and Russia over four southern Kuril Islands, their history since 1945, diplomatic efforts, and strategic significance in Nort…

Kutch (princely state) Kutch (Cutch or Kachchh) was a princely state in western India ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from traditions dated to the 12th century until accession to India in 1948; centered on B…

La Vallée (district, canton of Vaud) La Vallée (district) Former district in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, centered on Le Chenit and the Vallée de Joux; known for Jura landscapes and watchmaking. It was later incorporated into the Jura…

Lady-in-waiting: role, history, duties and distinctions Lady-in-waiting A lady-in-waiting is a noblewoman appointed to attend a queen, princess or other high-ranking woman. The article explains duties, social role, historical development, variations an…

Land grant (government transfers of land and rights) Land grant A land grant is a transfer of land or related rights by a government or authority, used to reward service, encourage settlement, or promote economic development across history and…

Languages with Official Status in India Overview of languages that hold official recognition in India at the national and subnational levels, including the Eighth Schedule (scheduled languages), state languages, scripts,…

Larkana Division Former administrative division in northern Sindh, Pakistan. Larkana Division coordinated district-level government until the 2000 local government reforms removed the divisional ti…

Leader of the Opposition (parliamentary role) Leader of the Opposition Elected head of the largest political party not in government in Westminster-style parliaments, charged with holding the government to account and leading an alternative cabinet.

Leader of the Opposition (Belize) Official head of Belize’s parliamentary Opposition who leads non-government members in the House of Representatives and performs constitutional and parliamentary duties.

Leader of the Opposition (Greece) The Leader of the Opposition in Greece is the head of the largest parliamentary party not in government, leading scrutiny of the administration and articulating alternative policie…

Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand) The Leader of the Opposition is the head of the largest party not in government in New Zealand’s Parliament, charged with directing opposition policy, holding the government to acc…

Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom) Senior politician who leads the largest non-government party in the House of Commons, heads the Shadow Cabinet, and organises parliamentary scrutiny and alternative policy proposal…