Written by: Aavash Malla - 26001, Grade X
Posted on: 05 December, 2023
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the final reigning monarch of Nepal and a member of the Shah dynasty, is a significant historical figure in the country's history. Born in 1947, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is a notable figure in Nepalese history as the last member of the Shah family to rule the country.
He was the second son of King Mahendra and Queen Indra Rajya Laxmi. Gyanendra is descended from a long-standing Nepalese royal line, the Shah dynasty. He was introduced to the traditions and practices of the Nepalese monarchy during his early schooling as a young prince. The rights and obligations that accompanied his royal rank shaped his early years. In 1972, Gyanendra's life changed dramatically with the accession of his elder brother, King Birendra, to the throne. Gyanendra served in the military and held various roles in the administration when Birendra was king, gaining experience for a future role in the monarchy. The circumstances surrounding Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev's ascension to the Nepali monarchy were peculiar and sad. Something terrible happened in the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu on the evening of June 1, 2001. Gyanendra's nephew and heir apparent, Crown Prince Dipendra, went on a shooting spree that claimed the lives of several royal members of the family, including Queen Aishwarya, King Birendra, Gyanendra's elder brother, and other relatives. Gyanendra personally served as the chairman of the Council of Ministers, which decided to crown him as monarch. On June 4, 2001, this choice was announced.
During his reign, King Gyanendra took an active part in Nepalese politics. In 2002, he overthrew the democratically elected government, alleging its inability to effectively manage the Maoist insurgency that had been waging since 1996. Political instability and protests were sparked by his assumption of executive powers. During his rule, the Maoist insurgency became more violent, growing despite efforts to end it, resulting in serious fighting and losses. King Gyanendra made a contentious move in February 2005 when he once again overthrew the elected government and assumed full authority. Numerous people opposed this action, sparking countrywide demonstrations and calls for the return of democracy. A large-scale demonstration in 2006, called Jana Andolan II or People's Movement, compelled King Gyanendra to renounce his executive authority and reinstate the House of Representatives. The People's Movement of 2006, referred to as Jana Andolan II, marked the beginning of the monarchy's downfall. The fall of the democratically elected government in 2005 signaled the start of King Gyanendra's direct rule, which was the subject of this massive protest movement. The people's movement was an anti-autocratic countrywide demonstration against the king's policies.
Nepal's history underwent a significant and profound shift with the fall of the monarchy. With the transition from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic, it signaled a significant change in Nepal's political system. The People's Movement of 2006 was a large-scale demonstration against King Gyanendra's despotic leadership that set off the collapse of the monarchy. On May 28, 2008, the monarchy was formally abolished as a result of subsequent political accords and the election of the Constituent Assembly in April 2008.
