Seif Palace is the palace of government in Kuwait. The palace was built in 1904 during the reign of Sheikh Mubarak the Great. It was developed during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in 1961. The construction of the Seif Palace took on the Islamic architectural character using Islamic arches and motifs, in addition to touches of the ancient Kuwaiti heritage. Simple raw materials of clay, sea stone, wood and metal were used in its construction. The palace is now the official residence of the Emir, the Crown Prince and the Council of Ministers.
Al Otob tribe fled to State of Kuwait away from the terrible drought which perished the Arab Peninsula. They chose Sabah bin Jaber as their governor in 1756. As time passed, the small town of Kuwait benefited from its location overlooking the head of the Arabian Gulf and thrived through trade, fishing and pearl fishery. Hence, Kuwait became one of the most prosperous countries in the region. Since 1756, fourteen rulers from Al Sabah family ruled Kuwait.
The rulers from Al Sabah family who ruled State of Kuwait since 1756 are:
- Sheikh Sabah, the First: 1756
- Sheikh Abdullah: 1762
- Sheikh Jaber, the First: 1812
- Sheikh Sabah, the Second: 1859
- Sheikh Abdullah, the Second: 1866
- Sheikh Mohamed, the First: 1892
- Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah: 1896
- Sheikh Jaber, the Second: 1915
- Sheikh Salem Al Mubarak: 1917
- Sheikh Ahmed Al Jaber: 1921
- Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem: 1950
- Sheikh Sabah Al Salem: 1965 - 1977
- Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah: 1977 - 2006
- Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah: 2006
- Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah: 2006 - 2020
- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah: 2020 - 2023
- Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah protect him: 2023 to the present.
