This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AnomieBOT (talk | contribs) at 11:43, 14 December 2010 (Dating maintenance tags: {{Pov}}). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 11:43, 14 December 2010 by AnomieBOT (talk | contribs) (Dating maintenance tags: {{Pov}})(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article may require cleanup to meet Misplaced Pages's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (December 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev राजा ज्ञानेन्द्र | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| King of Nepal | |||||
| Reign | 7 November 1950 – 8 January 1951 (62 days) | ||||
| Predecessor | Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal | ||||
| Successor | Interim Suspension of Monarchy Until New Constitution is Promulgated | ||||
| Reign | 4 June 2001 – 28 May 2008 (6 years, 359 days) | ||||
| Consort | Queen Komal of Nepal | ||||
| Issue | Paras, Crown Prince of Nepal Princess Prerana | ||||
| |||||
| Dynasty | Shah dynasty | ||||
| Father | Mahendra of Nepal | ||||
| Mother | Crown Princess Indra | ||||
Shree Paanch Maharajadhiraj Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Sarkar (Template:Lang-ne; Jñānendra Vīra Bikrama Śāh) (born 7 July 1947) is the deposed King of the Nepal. During his life, he has held the title of the King twice: first between 1950 and 1951 as a child when his grandfather Tribhuvan was forced into exile with the rest of his family in India; and from 2001 to 2008, following the Nepalese royal massacre. In addition, in accordance with the popular belief of Nepalese King as the "Reincarnation of Lord Vishnu", he is also believed to a form of Lord Vishnu. He is also known by the "Emperor of Hindus" in the world Hindu community.
King Gyanendra's second reign ended in 2008, when the monarchy was abolished and the interim Federal Republic of Nepal formed in its place. Gyanendra became a private citizen and was stripped of his royal status. His decision to impose direct rule under the pretext of restoring law and order in the country caused the Maoist insurgency and the moderate democratic political parties to unite in opposition to his absolute rule, an alliance which under any other circumstances would have been extraordinarily unlikely.
Unable to hold the election on time, the then Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba, repeatedly asked for continuances with the King. Citing the failure of the Prime Minister to hold the election, King Gyanendra sacked the cabinet and assumed power and formed new government. In February 2005, King Gyanendra took complete control of the government, dismissing the elected parliament. He gave assurances that the country will return to normalcy and prosperity in three years.. Some citizens tired of corruption welcomed this move, but the political parties claimed this action as loss of democracy. Following opposition to his direct rule he was forced to return power to the parliament in April 2006, which in turn reduced the King's status to that of a ceremonial monarch. He continued as such until 28 May 2008 when the Constituent Assembly controlled by the Maoists decided to depose him and declared Nepal an interim republic until a republican constitution was promulgated. The constitution drafting deadline expired on May 28, 2010 with no new constitution in place. Legal analysts{{who|Date=December 2010]] have ruled that the interim parliament had only two year term and since it failed to deliver the constitution, the constitution of 1990 which considers Nepal's king as the sovereign, has been automatically reactivated. There are, however, disputes and the expired Assembly still is ruling the nation. There have been some calls from parties loyal to the monarchy for a referendum to decide on the need for a monarchy after the constitutional crisis brought about the resignation of the Maoist-led government.
Since he vacated the palace, Nepal continued in a state of instability. Maoist Supreme Commander Prachanda was elected as the Prime Minister and ruled until he was caught for inflating the number of PLAs, cheating the UN. The deposed monarch started visiting local towns, especially Terai, where his public support was immense. In an event in September, 2010, he was invited to inaugurate the temple where he was openly cited and treated as the ruling monarch. It has also been widely debated whether Nepal can sustain without monarchy and most intellectuals have already felt the need to fill the vacuum left by him. Many Indian news media speculate his come back within few months. In Janakpur, he stated that monarchy has not been abolished, it is rather suspended. A team of nationalists formed under the umbrella of the United Nationalist Nepalese (UNN) to speak on behalf of the helpless, which indirectly has stated the return of monarchy is likely.
Early life and first reign
Gyanendra was born in Narayanhity Royal Palace, Kathmandu, as the second son of Crown Prince Mahendra and his wife Crown Princess Indra. After his birth, his father was told by a court astrologer not to look at his newborn son because it would bring him bad luck, so Gyanendra was sent to live with his grandmother.
In November 1950, during a political plot, both his father and his grandfather King Tribhuvan, along with other royals, fled to India, leaving the young Prince Gyanendra as the only male member of the royal family in Nepal. He was brought back to the capital Kathmandu by the Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who had him declared King on 7 November 1950. Gyanendra was not only crowned but coins were issued in his name. The Rana Prime Minister provided a three hundred thousand rupee annual budget as expenditure for the King. After opposition to the hereditary rule of the Rana Prime Ministers from India, a deal was reached in January 1951, and his grandfather King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal and resumed the throne. The actions of the Rana regime to depose his grandfather and place Gyanendra on the throne was not internationally recognized.
He studied with his elder brother King Birendra in St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling, India; in 1969, he graduated from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.
Prince Gyanendra served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Coronation of his brother King Birendra in 1975. He is a keen conservationist and served as Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation from 1982 until his ascension to the throne in 2001.
Gyanendra married Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on 1 May 1970 in Kathmandu. They have two children.
- Prince Paras Shah of Nepal (born 30 December 1971)
- Princess Prerana Singh of Nepal (born 20 February 1978).
Succession
Main article: Nepalese royal massacreThe events surrounding the Royal Massacre on 1 June 2001 have proved very controversial in the country. A two-man investigation team appointed by Gyanendra, and made up of Keshav Prasad Upadhaya, then Supreme Court Chief Justice, and Taranath Ranabhat, then speaker of the House of Representatives, carried out a week-long investigation. After interviewing more than 100 people—including eyewitnesses, palace officials, guards, and staff, they concluded that, indeed, Crown Prince Dipendra had carried out the massacre, but did not draw any further conclusions. As his nephew lay in a coma, Gyanendra was named regent; but following Dipendra's death on 4 June 2001, Gyanendra ascended the throne.
Early reign
| Nepalese royal family |
|---|
 |
|
Descendants of King Mahendra:
Descendants of King Tribhuvan: Princess Trilokya |
During his early years on the throne, King Gyanendra sought to exercise full control over the government because of the failure of all parties. In May 2002, he supported the popularly-elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba when he dismissed the parliament elected in 1999. In October 2002, he dismissed Deuba and consolidated his power for the first time. During the years 2002 to 2005 he chose and subsequently dismissed three prime ministers, finally dismissing Deuba for the second time and taking over as absolute ruler on 1 February 2005. His brother King Birendra had negotiated a constitutional monarchy during his rule in a delicate manner in which he, as King, played a minor role in government. Thus, King Gyanendra's confrontational approach with the established political parties was met with widespread censure.
When King Gyanendra took complete control for the second time, on 1 February 2005, he accused Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's government of failing to make arrangements for parliamentary elections and of being unable to restore peace in the country, then in the midst of a civil war led by Maoist insurgents.
King Gyanendra promised that "peace and effective democracy" would be restored within three years, but the period of direct rule was accompanied by repression of dissent. International organizations expressed grave concerns about the safety of journalists, following the king's decision to restrict civil liberties, including freedom of the press, the constitutional protection against censorship and the right against preventive detention Gyanendra countered, saying that "democracy and progress contradict one another" as a necessary step in restoring peace to the country.
In April 2006, the Maoists and Sister Organizations staged protests and strikes in Kathmandu against King Gyanendra's direct rule. The royal government exercised minimum restraint but responded by declaring a curfew to control the deteriorating situation, which was enforced with live firearms and tear gas. On 21 April 2006, King Gyanendra announced that he would yield executive authority to a new prime minister chosen by the political parties to oversee the return of democracy. Several party leaders rejected the offer and again demanded that the King call a council to determine the monarchy's future role in politics. An agreement was reached between the parties, King under the supervision of Indian ruling Congress including Dr. Karan Singh that monarchy would have a place in the new constitution. Girija Prasad Koirala was appointed prime minister in the interim. Girija Prasad, as the main leader, had talks with the King and the agreement for monarchy's space. As such, on 24 April 2006, King Gyanendra reinstated the previous parliament in a televised address to the nation.
End of direct rule
Mysteriously, the agreement between the parties and King under Indian supervision was not honored by the parties. It is widely believed that the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad saw an opportunity to become the first president of Nepal by declaring Nepal a republic state. On 10 June 2006, the Parliament scrapped the major powers of the King, including his right to veto laws. This ended the idea of a "King in Parliament", and he was reduced to a figurehead, though for a time he continued to offer felicitations and to receive diplomats. According to Article 167 of the constitution, all executive powers as well as those enjoyed by the King in the previous Constitution were now vested in the prime minister. All powers of the 239-year-old monarchy were stripped, making King Gyanendra a civilian king.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who previously supported the continuation of the monarchy, said in March, 2007 that he thought the King should step down. In June, Koirala repeated his call for King Gyanendra to abdicate in favour of his grandson Prince Hridayendra.
On 23 August 2007, Nepal's transitional government nationalised all the properties King Gyanendra inherited from his brother including the Narayanhity Royal Palace. This was cited as the gross violation of a citizen of Nepal by constitutional experts since as per the Nepal laws, he should be inheriting the properties of his brother who was slain apparently by Nepal Maoists and few political parties. The move did not affect the properties he owned before his ascension to the throne.
Speculation of Returning to Power
Though the interim constitution drafting committee declared King Gyanendra a commoner in 2008 and today, claims his right to attend all the public programmes he wants to, the sudden spurt in these attendances has caused his former archenemy, the Maoists, wariness. King Gyanendra inaugurated a Saptarisheshwar Mahadev temple in Futung. Since March 2010, when he attended a mahayajna on the Pashupatinath temple grounds calling for the reinstatement of a Hindu state in Nepal, the deposed king of Nepal has been especially heading for towns in the southern plains, a region once neglected by his dynasty for generations but now turning out to be the staunchest bastion of Hinduism. Not just the king, even his son Paras, who was a target of public dislike during his days as a prince and crown prince, has also begun foraying in the Terai plains, inaugurating a temple, a school and even a community eye hospital. Call it a coincidence or part of the new strategy, even Paras' wife, the crown princess Himani, last month inaugurated a drinking water project in Dolakha in northern Nepal. The frequency of these programmes is now worrying the Maoists, cornered by the failure of their chief, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, to win the prime ministerial race sixteen times in a row. The local Maoist cadres tried to disrupt Princess Himani's programme in Dolkha where she has pledged to make the village a "model village" through her non profit, calling it a ploy to campaign for the restoration of monarchy.
Subsequently, the Times of India reported that four years after King Gyanendra's attempt to rule the country directly with the help of the army misfired, people have begun to forget the atrocities committed by the royal regime, thanks to the failure of the deposed king's successors. The political parties' inability to put selfish interests before national ones and give people good governance has alienated them while the recurring failure to elect a new prime minister has made them the butt of ridicule. Though the parties had pledged to promulgate a new constitution in May, they failed to keep their commitment and plunged the country into an unprecedented crisis. While the crisis was averted for a year with parliament giving them another 12 months to accomplish the deed, more than four months have elapsed since then with the task of constitution-drafting coming to a standstill. The failure to deliver a new constitution in May 2011 will bolster royalists, who are already calling for a referendum to decide if monarchy should be given a second chance.
In the two years that followed his removal from the throne Gyanendra kept a low profile, rarely speaking to the media and confining himself to his hunting lodge on the outskirts of Kathmandu. But in recent weeks the deposed monarch and his son, crown prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah, have appeared at a series of engagements, raising speculation that the family may be returning to public life. During Dashain festival in 2010, the most important of the year in majority-Hindu Nepal, King Gyanendra visited more than 10 temples across the country in just two days. Traditionally revered as an incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu, he was greeted wherever he went with chants of "long live our king" and "our king, our country, dearer than our soul". Crown Prince, in a series of recent media interviews, has expressed regret for his past misdeeds and hinted at a return to public life. "My father left the throne for the people. Anything can happen if it is what the people want. The monarchy could return," the Nepali-language daily Naya Patrika quoted him as saying.The idea of a figurehead monarch without power has some support, notably among Hindu & Buddhist devotees who still view the former king as their religious leader and the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. On October 18, the day when the king for centuries gave blessings to the people, thousands of people lined up outside King Gyanendra's palace to receive the traditional vermilion "tika" on their foreheads. Speaking to journalists afterwards, King Gyanendra refused to comment on the protracted political deadlock in Nepal.
Nevertheless, he said that he was saddened by the "increased suffering of the people" brought about by what he called a deterioration in law and order and the weakening of the already fragile economy. "Put your political questions to the members of parliament. The time has not yet come for me to speak on those issues," he said. "I want to work for the benefit of the people and the country." So far, there have been no clashes between the former king's followers and supporters of the Maoists, who waged a decade-long insurgency to try to topple the monarchy and who now hold the highest number of seats in the parliament. But religious festivals threaten to become a flashpoint. Some devotees say King Gyanendra should be allowed to maintain his role as spiritual leader and argue that the interim Head of State while the country drafts a new constitution has no place at religious ceremonies.
Attack at the temple
On the occasion of the Maha Shivaratri, the King went to the Pashupatinath temple for worshipping lord Shiva. The cars escorting Gyanendra were stoned by unknown persons (predicted as Maoists) in the temple area. While the King was entering the temple, some people protested against the monarchy and the King.
After worship, the King returned from the western gate on foot. While he was about to enter into his car, stones were thrown at the King from the northern part of the temple. As the car proceeded, more stones were thrown at the car which was driven by the King himself. After the incident, hundreds of armed forces creating a circular chain of security led the King’s car on to Gaushala. Because of the protest and traffic obstruction, the King returned almost forty-five minutes late to the palace.
Security personnel tried to clear the crowd who were protesting with foul language. The situation worsened after the same mass were protesting as the King was about to return to the palace. To control the agitated crowd, the Nepal army, armed police force and the Nepal police were brought in large numbers. In the darkness, the King was being stoned from the north. A queue of people, in their impatience to enter the temple to worship, supported the protesters against the King.
The home minister said that the incident was very sad. He also said that the incident would not occur again and that the incident occurred on the effort of those who wanted no peace and stability in the country. King Gyanendra, who was unpopular among some people, was the first to face such an incident in the long history of the Shah dynasty. It is said this incident was all staged by Maoist to topple monarchy and come into absolute power.
King's birthday
The 60th birthday of King Gyanendra was boycotted by government officials including the ambassadors for Nepal who were invited at the King’s birthday. The royal palace requested for more security forces for the birthday party but the government refused the proposal stating that there were enough security arrangements already made. On the other hand, the palace insisted that the security situation in the country had worsened and so more security was must. About eight hundred people were invited but only about one hundred and fifteen people were present at the party.
According to one of the royal members only a few ministers of the Panchayat regime, royal members, about ten Major generals who were approaching retirement and some former army officials were present at the party of the King. Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Marichman Singh and ministers from Gyanendra’s regime were present at the occasion. The Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of parliament, ministers and other high ranking officials weren’t present at the night party organized at the royal palace.
The army chief, Rookmangud Katawal, also was not present in the function. However, at the earlier birthday of the King, the army chief was present. The royal activists according to their scheduled plan held a rally marking the auspicious occasion of the King’s birthday. The student organization of the seven party alliance and the Maoist activists released a press statement that they would obstruct the gathering of the royal activists. During a clash between the group of students and the royal activists, a few were injured. King Gyanendra appealed to everyone to work for peace and democracy in the country on the occasion also known as ‘Hirak Janmahotsav’. He made this appeal to the well-wishers at the royal palace. The third day of the birthday party was organized by Prince Paras Shah. The party members of Rastriya Prajatantra party were present during the feast. The King refused to speak to the media at the party. According to some witnesses, people meeting the King asked him to save the country and preserve its integrity and nationality.
Transition to interim republic
King Gyanendra, in an interview with foreign reporters, expressed dissatisfaction over the decision made by the interim parliament to abolish the monarchy after the 10 April Constituent Assembly elections. The interview was published in Japan's leading newspaper, Daily Yomiuri. Speaking to a select group of Japanese correspondents at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on 4 February, King Gyanendra said, "(The decision) doesn't reflect the majority view of the people. This isn't democracy." He, however, conceded that the people do have the right to choose the fate of the monarchy.
The King also said the law and order in the country was deteriorating, questioning the interim government's ability to govern the country even after he had accepted the roadmap of the seven-party alliance. Citing the recent survey which showed 49 percent of respondents favoured the continuation of the monarchy in some form, King Gyanendra claimed, "A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. Let us hope."
Gyanendra had broken his closely guarded silence in an interview with a Nepali pro-monarchist weekly paper in which he said he remained silent to "let the peace process succeed." The King said, "Nepalese people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic." He claimed that his attempt on 1 February 2005 was for a good purpose—restoring peace and stability in the country. He said that his attempt wasn’t a success and so the countrymen are suffering at present.
In an interview taken with the King’s ‘advisor’, Bharat Keshar Singh, he claimed that the bill passed from the parliament was a bluff. Replying to the question raised regarding the King’s silence even after the bill was passed declaring the state a republic, he said that there was nothing for which the King had to respond. He claimed that the parliament which declared a republic was reinstated by the King himself and has no authority to dethrone the same King. He claimed that the King was examining the activities of the government and the parliament and was waiting for a suitable time for responding to them. He said that no people would accept the ‘bill’ unless decided by a referendum or elected members in the constituent assembly.
On 15 January 2007, the interim parliament was set up with CPN-M included, and on 1 April 2007, the interim government joined by CPN-M was formed. On 28 December 2007, the Nepali interim parliament approved a bill for the amendment to the constitution of 1990 promulgated on 15 January 2007, with a clause stating that Nepal will turn into a federal democratic republic, to be implemented by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly elections.
Interim Suspension of the monarchy
It was announced on 24 December 2007, that the monarchy would probably be suspended in 2008, following the approval, as part of a peace deal with Maoist rebels, of the Nepalese Parliament in favour of a bill that would see the constitution amended so as to make Nepal a republic.
On 27 May 2008, the meeting decided to give the King fifteen days to vacate the palace, and decided that the first meeting would be held the next day at 11am (but was delayed due to the indecision among the leading parties on power-sharing and the nomination of 26 members of the Constituent Assembly).
On 28 May 2008, the monarchy was officially given no space in the amended constitution of 1990 and replaced with a republic by the Constituent Assembly instead of referendum. King Gyanendra accepted the decision in the following days. As he was required to leave Narayanhiti, he asked the government to make residential arrangements for him on 1 June, and on 4 June the government decided to give Nagarjuna Palace to Gyanendra.
King Gyanendra departed the Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu on 11 June 2008, moving into the Nagarjuna Palace. His new residence consists of ten buildings including the royal residence Hemanta Bas, three guest houses (Barsha Bas, Sharad Bas and Grishma Bas), one office secretariat and one staff quarters. Gyanendra and his family moved into the two-storey Hemanta Bas. Following his departure the Narayanhiti Palace was turned into a museum, while Gyanendra's diamond- and ruby-encrusted Crown and royal sceptre, along with all the other crown jewels and royal assets, became government property. The royal family's departure from the palace was reported as being a “major symbolic moment in the fall of the Shah dynasty, which had unified Nepal in the 1760s. Subsequently, it has been reported that the ornaments and previous metals have been sold the politicians. ”
Departure from the palace
The King organized a press conference in the Kaski Hall of the royal palace before he departed. After finishing his twenty-minute-long speech, the King thanked all media personnel for attending the conference. During his speech, the King rejected the accusations made against him for the royal massacre, and denied that he had accumulated illegal money during his reign. He also denied other charges, such as the riches of his brother Birendra, Dhirendra, and other members of the Royal Family being transferred to his name.
He clarified that there were no changes in the monetary status of royal members during this period, and that his intimacy towards a sovereign Nepal will remain despite his constitutional position or status. He would also not leave Nepal and wanted to contribute more in the process of building a new Nepal and to contribute in the peace process by staying in the nation itself.
He said that the Parliament was reinstated in the price for peace and democracy in Nepal. He stated that he played a role in implementing the verdict of the government putting ahead the people’s mandate and wishes ahead of his own. The King controlled his emotions during the departure but Queen Komal was not able to control herself and her emotions poured out. The Queen had asked the King to request the government for Trishul Sadan or any other palace other than the main palace, but King Gyanendra refused it. But according to the King’s request the government of Nepal provided a place for his mother Ratna and his grandmother Sarala Shah inside the Narayanhiti Palace itself.
King Gyanendra also demanded Nagarjuna Palace in acknowledgment of the creative ending of the monarchy. The protesters protested against the monarchy as the King's car departed from the gate of the royal palace, while other groups were shouting in favour of the King and monarchy and asking the King not to leave the palace.
Autobiography
Gyanendra has reportedly started writing his autobiography. Leading a low-key life in virtual exile, his autobiography in English is to have five segments.
Growing Public Support & House Arrest
Telegraph reported that after the caretaker Government of Nepal imposed ban on Nepal's Hindu King Gyanendra Shah from taking part in a program where he was to felicitate nine former Kumaris (the living Goddesses), the organizers of the program declared that they will also bar Nepal's interim head of state Dr. Ram Baran Yadav from taking part in the Indra-Jatra festival to be held on September 22, 2010. The caretaker government led by Constituent Assembly Election defeated prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in a hasty decision had stopped Nepal King from taking part in the program to be held at Basantapur Durbar Square area in Kathmandu on September 21, 2010. It is reported that the government had kept the King under house arrest following security threats. But, that did not deter the organizers. The program to felicitate the Nine Kumaris and 504 pre-pubescent girls began right by felicitating the King not in person but his glass framed picture. The organizers who were in an enraged mood after the government decision decided to straight head towards Nirmal Nivas where the King resides along with his family members. It was earlier planned that the monarch would arrive at the Basantapur Square at 11:00 AM. Attractive banners with catchy slogans like "His Majesty the King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev" were put on display in the vicinity of the program venue. The security personnel later had uprooted the welcome gates constructed at the Basantapur Square and tore apart the banners mentioning His Majesty the King. Reports have it that the enraged organizers made a telephone call to the King and were told that the King was ready to felicitate the Kumaris at his personal residence. The ceremony began at 06:00 PM. "I would like to heartily thank you for supporting me even when the government has kept me under house arrest", commented the former King upon meeting the program organizers along with the former Kumaris who had arrived at his personal residence. While the felicitation program was being held at Nirmal Nivas, hundreds of Armed Police Personnel were positioned by the government at the main gate of the King's residence. Reports however claim that the government has already told King Gyanendra that he will not be allowed to take part in any programs or whatsoever until the approaching Dashain and Tihar Festivals were over. Bhim Acharya, the chief whip of the United Marxist Leninists' Party just the other day had warned the king and his family members to stop being involved in religious activities or else they will be put under arrest by the government.
First public appearance after ousting
In his first public appearance since the declaration of a republic, King Gyanendra visited a shrine of a Hindu religious sect in Bhaktapur on 2 October 2008. Speaking briefly to journalists after visiting Shyama Shyam Dhama in Thimi, Bhaktapur, the ex-King said he wanted peace in the country. He also wished for a peaceful festival (Dashain) for Nepali people. "Let there be peace and every Nepali must be able to live in peace and prosperity," the cheerful former monarch said. He, however, dodged political questions.
On meeting Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the leader of a Hindu sect, he stayed for nearly an hour. It was not known what transpired during the meeting, but the ex-King is known to have gone there to receive blessings from the Indian guru.
He had left Nargarjuna Palace, his new home in the middle of a forest in the northwestern suburb of Kathmandu, at 11am, without security escort.
Gyanendra has lived a reclusive life since he moved to Nagarjuna Palace on 11 June after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic on 28 May 2008.
Religious Duties
He offers 'Tika' on the occasion of Vijayadashami, one of the most important festivals of the Nepalese people. Arrangements are made by his secretariat. In the past, as the head of state, the King used to offer 'Tika' and 'jamara' to the people during the dashain festival. President Ram Baran Yadav was does the same at his residence at Shital Niwas. However, as he has been believed to be the "Emperor of Hindus", general people prefer to seek King's blessings in religious festivals. This trend has been established from the early seventeenth century.
Titles, styles and honours
Titles
- His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra of Nepal (1947–1950, 1951–2001)
- His Majesty The King of Nepal (1950–1951, 2001–2008)
- His Majesty King Gyanendra of Nepal (titular, 2008-present)
He was crowned two times. His official full style during his reign was: His Holy Majesty, King of the Lands of the Nepalese People and Knight of the Holy and Most Majestic Order of the Rose of Jordan.
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange (The Netherlands), 1967
- Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Thailand), 1979
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (France), 1983
- Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (United Kingdom), 1986
- Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain), 1987
See also
Notes
- Ghimire, Subhash (2009-05-10). "Nepalese Prime Minister Resigns, Country Plunges Deeper Into Political Crisis". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
- ^ Chowdhuri, Satyabrata Rai (2001-07-27). "Monarchy in Nepal". The Hindu. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- "Homeward Bound". Time Magazine. 1951-01-22. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- Buyers, Christopher. "Nepal". Royal Ark. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ Staff writer (2006-04-20). "Troubled times saw king's rise". CNN.
- "Royal Biography of Nepal". MeroNepal.com.np. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- Nepal massacre inquiry begins, at long last
- Prince blamed for Nepal massacre
- Nepal mourns slain king
- Staff writer (2005-02-01). "Nepal's king declares emergency". BBC News.
- Staff writer (2005-02-01). "Nepal's king sacks government". CNN.com.
- Staff writer (2005-02-03). "Nepal's king acts against dissent". BBC News.
- "State of Emergency Imperils Information Flow". International Freedom of Expression eXchange. Retrieved 2006-11-27.
- Nepal's king is made to cut staff
- King urged to let boy, 5, be Nepal’s saviour
- Nepal nationalises royal palaces
- "Nepal king, facing ouster, urges people to vote "
- "Nepalese monarchy to be abolished". BBC. 2007-12-24. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- Vote to abolish Nepal's monarchy
- Telegraph Nepal : Nepal King allowed 15 days to vacate
- "Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic", Nepalnews, 28 May 2008.
- "Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti", Nepalnews, 2 June 2008.
- "Govt decides to give Nagarjuna palace to ex-King", Nepalnews, 4 June 2008.
- BBC NEWS, Former Nepal king to leave palace
- thaindian.com, Former King Gyanendra prepares to leave Narayanhiti Palace
External links
- Unofficial translation of the commission report on the palace incident
- "Profile: Nepal's King Gyanendra". BBC News. 28 May 2008.
- King of Nepal is stoned by crowd. BBC 16 February 2007
- archived biography at archive.org
| Gyanendra of Nepal House of ShahBorn: 07 July 1947 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byTribhuvan | King of Nepal 1950–1951 |
Succeeded byTribhuvan |
| Preceded byDipendra | King of Nepal 2001–2008 |
Monarchy Suspended Until New Constitution is Promulgated Republic declared |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded byDipendra | Head of State of Nepal 2001–2007 |
Succeeded byRam Baran Yadav |
| Titles in pretence | ||
| Loss of title Monarchy Suspended Until New Constitution is Promulgated |
— TITULAR — King of Nepal 2008 – present |
Incumbent Heir: Paras |
- Articles needing cleanup from March 2009
- Cleanup tagged articles without a reason field from March 2009
- Misplaced Pages pages needing cleanup from March 2009
- Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from December 2010
- 1947 births
- Living people
- Nepalese monarchs
- Field Marshals
- Hindu monarchs
- Pretenders
- Child rulers from Asia
- Rulers deposed as children
- Knights Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
- Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Grand Croix of the Ordre national du Mérite
- Grand Crosses of the Order of the House of Orange
- Recipients of the Order of Isabella the Catholic