King of Nepal
Mahārājdhirāj
Royal Coat of arms (before 2006)
Last to reign
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah
4 June 2001 — 28 May 2008
Details
StyleHis Majesty
First monarchPrithvi Narayan Shah
Last monarchGyanendra Bir Bikram Shah
Formation25 September 1768
Abolition28 May 2008
ResidenceNarayanhiti Palace, Kathmandu
AppointerHereditary
Pretender(s)Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah

The King of Nepal (traditionally known as the Mahārājdhirāja i.e. Great King of Kings; it can also be translated as "Sovereign Emperor" (Nepali: श्री ५ महाराजधिराज) was Nepal's head of state and monarch from 1768 to 2008. He served as the head of the Nepalese monarchy—Shah Dynasty. The monarchy was abolished on 28 May 2008 by the 1st Constituent Assembly.[1] The subnational monarchies in Mustang, Bajhang, Salyan, and Jajarkot were abolished in October of the same year.[2]

History

Further information: History of Nepal and Kingdom of Nepal

The Kingdom of Nepal was founded on 25 September 1768 by Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha king who succeeded in unifying the kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur into a single state under his Shah dynasty. The Kingdom of Nepal was de jure an absolute monarchy for most of its history. However, from 1846 until the 1951 revolution, the country was de facto ruled by the hereditary prime ministers from the Rana dynasty, reducing the role of the Shah monarch to that of a figurehead. In November 1990, after the Jana Andolan movement, a new constitution was adopted and the country became a constitutional monarchy.

Nepalese Civil War

On 13 February 1996, the Nepalese Civil War was launched by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), with the aim of overthrowing the kingdom and establishing a "People's Republic".

Nepalese royal massacre

Main article: Nepalese royal massacre

On 1 June 2001, nine members of the royal family, including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, were killed in a mass shooting at the royal residence. Crown Prince Dipendra was implicated in an official investigation. There is a huge controversy concerning this, as there was no practical investigation on that which proves his involvement. Many Nepali people believe that there might be many other people involved in the massacre.[3] Immediately after the massacre, Dipendra was proclaimed king while in a coma, but he died on 4 June 2001, after a three-day reign.[4] His uncle, Prince Gyanendra, was appointed regent for the three days, then ascended the throne himself after Dipendra died.

Post-massacre

On 1 February 2005, as the security situation deteriorated in the civil war, King Gyanendra staged a coup d'état, declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and assumed direct control over the country.[5] On 24 April 2006, after the Loktantra Andolan movement, the king agreed to give up absolute power and to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives.[6][7] On 21 November 2006, the civil war was ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord.[8] On 15 January 2007, the King was suspended from exercising his duties by the newly formed interim legislature. Finally, on 28 May 2008, the kingdom was officially abolished by the 1st Constituent Assembly and Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal was declared.[9] The subnational monarchies in Mustang, Bajhang, Salyan, and Jajarkot were also abolished in October 2008.[10]

Note

Main article: Shah dynasty

Prithvi Narayan Shah was the first ruler of "unified" Nepal. However, prior to 1768, the modern-day Nepal consisted of various small kingdoms, among which Shah Kings continued to rule in a few of them (notably in Gorkha). So the actual history of the Shah dynasty dates much before Prithvi Narayan Shah.[11]

Royal Standard & Royal Crown

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  2. ^ "Abolishment of subnational monarchies". Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Why Nepal's Crown Prince Went on a Killing Spree | Public Radio International". Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Nepal mourns slain king". BBC News. 2 June 2001. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  5. ^ Staff writer (1 February 2005). "Nepal's king declares emergency". BBC News. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  6. ^ Sengupta, Somini (25 April 2006). "In a Retreat, Nepal's King Says He Will Reinstate Parliament". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Full text: King Gyanendra's speech". BBC. 24 April 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Peace deal ends Nepal's civil war". BBC News. 21 November 2006. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2006.
  9. ^ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Abolishment of subnational monarchies". Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  11. ^ "The History of Nepal". Archived from the original on 16 August 2009.
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