Paku Alam I, originally known as Bendara Pangeran Harya Natakusuma, was the first Duke (Adipati) of Pakualaman, rewarded for helping the British quell the conflict in Yogyakarta in June 1812. Pakualaman became a small hereditary Duchy within the Sultanate of Yogyakarta, as a mirror-image of the Duchy of Mangkunegaran within the territory of the Susuhunanate of Surakarta. Paku Alam I ruled from 1812 to 1829 and was buried at Kota Gede.

Subsequent list of rulers

• Paku Alam II, 1829 – 1858
• Paku Alam III, 1858 – 1864
• Paku Alam IV, 1864 – 1878
• Paku Alam V, 1878 – 1900
• Paku Alam VI, 1901 – 1902
• Paku Alam VII, 1903 – 1938
• Paku Alam VIII, 1938 – 1999
• Paku Alam IX, 1999 – 2015
• Paku Alam X, 2016 –