Former King Gyanendra Shah: Who became the king of Nepal twice
Introduction
The last king of Nepal, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, was born into the illustrious Shah dynasty that ruled Nepal for over two centuries. His reign, which witnessed the abolition of the monarchy and the transition to a republic, marked an unprecedented turning point in Nepali political history. Both Gyanendra’s life and reign have been marked by controversies and challenges, making him a prominent and polarizing figure in Nepal’s political and historical narrative. In his honor, Biograph Nepal presents the Biography of Former King Gyanendra Shah.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
- Birth Date: July 7, 1947
- Birthplace: Narayanhiti Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Parent: King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah
- Spouse: Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah
- Children: Paras Shah (son), Prerana Shah Singh (daughter)
- Reign Period: 1950 (as a child king), 2001–2008 (Before the declaration of republic)
- Significant Title: The Last King of Nepal
Early Life
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Hereafter Former King Gyanendra Shah) was born on July 7, 1947, into the royal family of Nepal as the second son of King Mahendra and Queen Indra. According to a statement, an astrologer had told his father, Mahendra, that it would be inauspicious not to look at a newborn son for some time after birth. So, after birth, the infant baby Gyanendra was sent to live with his grandmother for some time.
Coronation in childhood or first-time king
When Gyanendra Shah was born, the political landscape of Nepal was in turmoil. At that time, the Ranas ruled the country with the heir of the Shah dynasty on the throne as a nominal king, taking over the power of the Prime Minister, the General Staff, and all state power. In opposition to this tyranny, some underground parties in Nepal fought against the Rana regime in various ways. While colonialism was ending in India and democracy was being established, Nepal was on the verge of ending the long autocratic Rana regime.
The then King Tribhuvan of Nepal also wanted to see the end of the Rana regime and a new democratic change in the country because the people were fed up with the fascist system of the Rana regime. Therefore, King Tribhuvan also took the side of the then-revolutionary parties of Nepal and started speaking in support of democracy, which the Rana rulers did not like at all, so they began conspiring to overthrow King Tribhuvan. Knowing this secret, King Tribhuvan was forced to go to Delhi, India, to seek the support and sympathy of the leaders of India.
Coronation as nominal child King
At that time, the king and parties supporting democracy in Nepal had good relations with the leaders of the pro-democratic party in India. In such a difficult situation of the country, King Tribhuvan and other members of the royal family left the young Gyanendra in Nepal and went into exile in India. Meanwhile, in the vacant throne in Nepal, the Rana rulers declared the 3-year-old child, the grandson of the then king, Gyanendra, as the King of Nepal. In this way, from November 7, 1950 to January 7, 1951 (two months), Gyanendra Shah was installed on the throne of Nepal for the first time.
Mohan Samsher Rana was then the prime minister of Nepal, taking the country’s main executive power. His idea of deposing the current king and placing a 3-year-old child on the throne was rejected entirely and opposed by the international community, including neighboring India. Therefore, Prime Minister Mohan Samsher Rana agreed to restore Tribhuvan to the throne and ease the situation, after which King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal and resumed his throne.
Thus, on January 7, 1951, Gyanendra Shah’s short-lived reign ended.
Education
Like other high-ranking royal family members, Gyanendra Shah studied at the famous St. Joseph’s School in Darjeeling, India. He then obtained his higher educational degree from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. From an early age, Gyanendra was known for his reserved demeanor and understanding of administrative matters. He is said to have been a quiet and honest student.
Reign and Controversies
While writing and reading the biography of the last king of Nepal, King Gyanendra Shah, we will definitely be sad and depressed. Although he became king twice, both times, he became king in completely uncomfortable and unimaginable conditions in Nepal. It is impossible to write the biography of King Gyanendra without explaining the political upheavals and the awkward situation of the country at that time. So, we must explain the situation and what happened accurately and truthfully. Because history is history, no one can change it or interpret it differently.
Coronation After Royal Massacre (2001) or Second time-King
In 1559, Drabya Shah conquered the Ghale (Gurung) of the Gorkha and established a kingdom in that region, giving rise to the Shah dynasty. However, the Shah dynasty is considered to have officially begun in Nepal after the unification of Nepal, when King Prithvi Narayan Shah was declared the king of the Kingdom of Nepal in 1768. Ultimately, the 240-year-long dynasty ended in 2008 with the establishment of a republic in Nepal during the reign of King Gyanendra.
King Birendra, one of the most popular and generous of the long-ruling Shah dynasty kings in Nepal, was unexpectedly and suddenly assassinated. This grief situation led to King Gyanendra’s succession to the throne of Nepal.
King Birendra reigned for 29 years from 1972. He is the eldest son of King Mahendra and the eldest brother of King Gyanendra. However, on the night of June 1, 2001, King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, along with ten members of the royal family, were unexpectedly assassinated, and several others were injured. Reports blamed Crown Prince Dipendra for the assassination.
Although Crown Prince Dipendra was proclaimed king immediately after the assassination, some do not recognize him as king because, at that time, he was in a coma in the hospital, could not sit on the throne, and ascended to heaven three days later. According to royal tradition, King Gyanendra was automatically the heir to the throne of Nepal after Crown Prince Dipendra also passed away.
A challenging coronation in a time of mourning
Gyanendra Shah became the King of Nepal again on 4 June 2001, taking over the vacant throne after the royal palace massacre. His accession to the throne was sudden, unexpected, and tearful for him and all Nepalese, as the loss of the royal family was difficult for all Nepalese to digest.
Meanwhile, various speculations and suspicions of conspiracy had surfaced in the Nepali public and media regarding the murder. However, these details are not within our biography’s scope.
However, the various suspicions regarding the murder caused a lot of pain to King Gyanendra and his family. On the one hand, King Gyanendra Shah was overwhelmed by the new experience of running the country. At the same time, the various allegations and criticisms created a state of mental stress and pressure for him.
Another important fact is that at that time, the Maoist insurgency was at its peak in Nepal, and people were fighting for a republic in Nepal. There was instability and insecurity everywhere in the country. In such a situation of challenges from all sides, it was not easy for King Gyanendra Shah to run the royal institution of Nepal.
Fall of the Monarchy and Transition to a Republic
The tenure of King Gyanendra Shah, who came to power in a state of mourning, was not easy and fruitful. The country was affected by the increasing political instability and the Maoist conflict. Still, apart from this, King Gyanendra Shah could not bring any successful and popular action plan to the people. Although he was said to give a sense of new changes in the country and find a peaceful solution to the Maoist conflict when he became king, this could not be possible. Therefore, he became unpopular day by day in the eyes of the Nepali people. Not only that, parties also started accusing him of being a dictatorial king.
King Gyanendra’s most tremendous success was finding a solution to the Maoist conflict. Still, he earned even more remarkable unpopularity by repeatedly dissolving his government from 2002 to 2005, accusing him of failing to hold elections in Nepal. This created more unrest in the country and directly benefited the Maoists.
Eventually, the two major parties in Nepal, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, who were sympathetic to the monarchy, distanced themselves from him and became closer to the rebel Maoists. As a result, the Second People’s Movement took place in Nepal, and both those parties and the Maoists were involved. Finally, King Gyanendra Shah could not bear the impact of the people’s movement, which lasted about a month, and he reached an agreement with the parties on the condition that they accept the decision of the parliament (Constitutional assembly) through new elections.
Dissolution of the monarchy and establishment of a republic
The rebel Maoist Party emerged as the most powerful party in the first Constituent Assembly elections held after the People’s Movement. According to the Maoist agenda, the Constituent Assembly declared the establishment of a republic in Nepal. This agenda was supported by the two major parties of Nepal, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, which had previously defended the monarchy. This was a significant event in the history of Nepal, which marked a substantial change in the country’s political landscape.
On May 28, 2008, the newly elected Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, ending the 240-year-old monarchy. Thus, King Gyanendra saw the end of the century-old monarchy and the establishment of a republic in Nepal during his tenure.
In short, King Gyanendra Shah was unable to find a proper solution to the Maoist conflict, could not bring any new popular action plan, and could not keep the two major political parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, close to him, which led to the creation of the People’s Movement (People’s Movement II) in 2006. The parties forced King Gyanendra Shah to relinquish executive power based on the power of that people’s movement and political pressure. As a result, the Constituent Assembly held in 2008 formally ended the monarchy by declaring Nepal a federal democratic republic. This historic event ended the 239-year rule of the Shah dynasty, and King Gyanendra became an ordinary citizen.
The leadership of the monarchist faction
Even after the monarchy was abolished and a republic was established in Nepal, a significant group still believed in the monarchy or the king. The republic did not come with the full support of the Nepali people. The abolition of the monarchy in Nepal was a political and technical process. Therefore, some parties and groups dissatisfied with that process believe in the return of the monarchy. Despite being a commoner in his political capacity, former King Gyanendra Shah has emerged as a key figure in leading the community that believes in the monarchy, and his influence is evident in the political views of that community.
In interviews with former King Gyanendra Shah in the media from time to time, he has believed in the return of the monarchy in Nepal. For this, he says that he has the political trust of a large community and that he cannot run away from that responsibility.
Post-Monarchy Life
After abdicating the throne, Former King Gyanendra Shah moved to the Nagarjuna Palace and then to Nirmal Niwas. Despite leading a quiet life, he occasionally appears in public and expresses his views on Nepal’s socio-political issues. Former king or Gyanendra’s supporters are advocating for the restoration of the monarchy, citing Nepal’s historical and cultural identity. He meets with people and leaders who are close to him. Participates in various ceremonies and programs organized by the supporters of the monarchy. He listens to the people’s views and assures them that the monarchy will return.
Former King Gyanendra Shah is entirely dissatisfied with the distorted political practices of the current parties, so he expresses his deep concern about the country’s state. Although he is like an ordinary citizen, the former king is not sitting quietly. He is also seen traveling to various places in the country and abroad.
As a former royal family member, he also has a lot of property and investments in various places. He has had many financial transactions in tea gardens, industries, and businesses. He also has a lot of land. Therefore, he has the responsibility to protect all that property. Thus, he spends days after becoming an ordinary citizen post-monarch participating in such activities.
Contributions
It is an injustice to see only the king’s faults and not his good deeds. History and the people have evaluated how much King Gyanendra Shah gave to the country and the people due to the time and circumstances. However, while writing his biography, the love and contribution he made to this country can never be forgotten. Therefore, his contributions can be mentioned in the following points.
Environmental Advocacy
Former King Gyanendra Shah is known for his interest in environmental conservation. During his reign, he supported many initiatives to conserve Nepal’s natural resources and biodiversity. He highlighted the importance of the Himalayas, forest conservation, and sustainable tourism as essential aspects of Nepal’s environmental policy. Even before becoming king, Gyanendra Shah led various environmental conservation projects and advised King Birendra on related work. He had a habit of being close to nature since childhood.
Support for Cultural Heritage
Former king Gyanendra Shah played a significant role in preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage. He prioritized the restoration of temples, monuments, and historical sites, ensuring that Nepal’s identity as a land of original traditions and architecture remained intact. Even in recent days, he has visited various monasteries and temples around the country in his spare time, performed pujas, and instilled a deep sense of faith and enthusiasm for his religion and culture.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Even after the end of the monarchy, Gyanendra Shah has been involved in various philanthropic works. He has donated to education programs, disaster relief efforts, and religious institutions, earning praise for his contributions to society. He visits the people from time to time to understand their suffering and listen to their complaints. If he can do some service work, he helps them.
In today’s era, it is impossible for a king to share his wealth with the poor. But former King Gyanendra Shah encourages and hopes those who come to him will share their suffering or give them his heart. He himself feels the pain, which is a quality that a good man should have. Therefore, in recent years, he has also earned the sympathy and popularity of the people.
Personal Life
Gyanendra Shah married Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah in 1970, and they have two children. His son Paras Shah and daughter Prerana Shah Singh live their own lives. His daughter-in-law, Himani Shah, has become a famous social worker in Nepal. People and many women highly appreciate her work for the public’s welfare.
Many people know about the personal and daily lives of the king or royal family. It is natural for them to be a little more special than the general public. Former King Gyanendra Shah was 77 years old when writing this biography. This age is considered very old or the age of resting in bed. But he does not look like that, and looking at his physical condition, he looks much younger than his age, which is a surprising aspect of his personal life.
King Gyanendra does not feel old at all. On the contrary, he still has a lively enthusiasm for being the king of this country or doing something for the country, which is a positive thing. Only some things about the daily life of the king or members of the royal family are revealed, but since most of the important events are known to everyone, it is unnecessary to mention them here.
Legacy and Impact
Some see Gyanendra Shah’s legacy as complex and divisive. Others see him as a strong ruler who tried to stabilize Nepal in difficult times. However, his critics criticize his authoritarian style and failure to address the growing demand for democracy in the country.
As the last king of Nepal, Gyanendra represents the end of an era in Nepal’s history and the beginning of a new democratic chapter. His reign poignantly reflects the changing nature of power and governance in the 21st century.
Most importantly, no political personality can be free from criticism, no matter how liberal. Hence, former King Gyanendra’s spirit of sacrifice and dedication to the country is a mark of a great personality compared to his indifference. He easily gave up his throne to make the landing of Maoists in Nepal and make the situation in the country easy and peaceful. He could have caused a military revolt as a large part of the Nepali army was inclined towards monarchy in Nepal, but he did not want to lead the country to bloodshed. Instead, he agreed to give up the monarchy, which has centuries of legacy. , This is not a common thing. क्In this sense, Gyanendra Shah is also a great ascetic and generous king.
King is also a symbol of cultural splendor
The king is not just a politician. From Nepal’s point of view, the king was also a symbol of cultural splendor. The institution of the monarchy was also a symbol of the unity of Nepal. A great king like Tribhuvan, who worked together with the people to bring democracy to Nepal, was also born in Nepal. Gyanendra is also his grandson. Therefore, the legacy of the monarchy should be evaluated as the pride and honor of Nepal. Although now there is a republic in Nepal, however, the legacy and sacrifice of the former king should be given high respect and importance as he is one of the heroes of Nepal.
Summary
Gyanendra Shah’s life has encompassed the test of leadership, the fragility of the monarchy, and the challenges of political transition. His life journey, from being crowned as a child to witnessing the downfall of his dynasty, is a product of a unique set of circumstances that arose in Nepal. Millions of Nepalese still respect and look up to him as a king; many others may be his critics. But in any case, former King Gyanendra Shah is a great figure in Nepali politics and a unique star in Nepal’s cultural and royal heritage. May the rest of his life be joyful. Many best wishes from Biograph Nepal.
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