View source for Birendra of Nepal

{{Short description|King of Nepal from 1972 to 2001}}
{{Redirect| Birendra}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev<br>{{nobold|श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज वीरेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव}}
| succession   = [[King of Nepal]]
| image        = Birendra Bir Bikram Shah c. 1967 (restoration).jpg
| caption      = Birendra {{circa}} 1967
| reign        = 31 January 1972 – 1 June 2001
| coronation   = 24 February 1975
| cor-type     = [[Coronation of Birendra of Nepal|Coronation]]
| predecessor  = [[Mahendra of Nepal|Mahendra]]
| successor    = [[Dipendra of Nepal|Dipendra]]
| regnal name  = Shree Paanch Maharajadhiraj Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज वीरेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव)
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Queen Aishwarya of Nepal|Queen Aishwarya]]|1970}}
| issue        = [[Dipendra of Nepal|King Dipendra]]<br />[[Princess Shruti of Nepal|Princess Shruti]]<br />[[Prince Nirajan of Nepal|Prince Nirajan]]
| dynasty      = [[Shah dynasty|Shah]]
| father       = [[Mahendra of Nepal|Mahendra]]
| mother       = [[Indra, Crown Princess of Nepal|Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi]]
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|1945|12|29|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Narayanhiti Palace|Narayanhiti Royal Palace]], [[Kathmandu]], [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]]
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|2001|6|1|1945|12|28|df=y}}
| death_place  = Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal
| death_cause  = [[Nepalese royal massacre|Assassination]] (gunshot wounds)
| religion     = [[Hinduism]]
| signature    = 
}}

'''Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev''' ({{langx|ne|श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज वीरेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव}}; 29 December 1945 – 1 June 2001) was [[King of Nepal]] from 1972 until [[Nepalese royal massacre|his assassination]] in 2001.

== Early life and education ==

Birendra was born at the [[Narayanhiti Palace|Narayanhiti Royal Palace]] in [[Kathmandu]] as the second son of the then [[Mahendra of Nepal|Crown Prince Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev]] and his first wife, Crown Princess [[Indra, Crown Princess of Nepal|Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi]]. Despite Birendra not being the eldest son of Mahendra, he was made crown prince and heir apparent due to Mahendra's first son, Rabindra Shah, being born when he was unmarried, and was born to a Gurung woman which made him an "illegitimate child."<ref name="DT">{{Cite news |title=King Birendra of Nepal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1309622/King-Birendra-of-Nepal.html |work=Daily Telegraph |date=23 August 2001 |access-date=21 July 2008 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315200029/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1309622/King-Birendra-of-Nepal.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chandra-thapa.com.np/2014/01/the-late-king-birendra-bir-bikram-shah-childhoow-picture.html|title=The Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah – Childhood Picture|access-date=23 July 2015|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726232512/http://www.chandra-thapa.com.np/2014/01/the-late-king-birendra-bir-bikram-shah-childhoow-picture.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Birendra spent eight years studying at [[St. Joseph's School, Darjeeling|St Joseph's School]], a [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] school in [[Darjeeling]], with his brother [[Gyanendra of Nepal|Gyanendra]]. On 13 March 1955, their grandfather [[Tribhuvan of Nepal|King Tribhuvan]] died and their father succeeded the Nepalese throne. With his father's ascension, Birendra became the [[crown prince]] of Nepal.

In 1959, Birendra was enrolled at [[Eton College]] in the United Kingdom. After studying at Eton until 1964, he returned to Nepal where he began to explore the country by traveling on foot to the remote parts of the country where he lived humbly with what was available in the villages.<ref name="DT" /> He later completed his education by spending some time at the [[University of Tokyo]], before studying political theory at [[Harvard University]] from 1967 to 1968.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news |title=Birendra: Nepal's monarch of change |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1365485.stm |publisher=BBC |date=2 June 2001 |access-date=21 July 2008 |archive-date=22 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722202242/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1365485.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Birendra enjoyed travelling in his youth, and went on trips to Canada, Latin America, Africa, many parts of India, and a number of other Asian countries. He was also an art collector and supporter of Nepalese craftspeople and artists and learned to fly helicopters.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |last=Crossette |first=Barbara |date=3 June 2001 |title=Birendra, 55, Ruler of Nepal's the Hindu Kingdom |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDD143FF930A35755C0A9679C8B63 |access-date=21 July 2008 |archive-date=3 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303085152/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDD143FF930A35755C0A9679C8B63 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Birendra was [[Wedding of Birendra and Aishwarya|married]] to [[Queen Aishwarya of Nepal|Aishwarya Rajya Lakshmi Devi]] from the [[Rana dynasty|Rana family]], his second cousin, on 27 February 1970.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Milestones of History |last=Mainali |first=Pramod |year=2000 |isbn=99946-960-4-1 |page=111 |publisher=Pramod Mainali }}</ref> The wedding, which was billed as one of the most lavish Hindu nuptial ceremonies in history, cost $9.5 million to stage.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Marriage of Convenience |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878784-1,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214175438/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878784-1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=9 March 1970 |access-date=21 July 2008 }}</ref>

Birendra was diagnosed with [[coronary artery disease]] and had undergone [[angioplasty]] in United Kingdom as per reports in the late 1990s.

== Reign ==
=== Early years ===
Birendra ascended to the Nepalese throne on 31 January 1972, at the age of 26, after the death of his father, [[Mahendra of Nepal|King Mahendra]]. However, his [[Coronation of Birendra of Nepal|coronation]] was delayed until 24 February 1975, when he was 29, since the first year was considered to be a mourning period for death of king's father and the second year was deemed to be inauspicious by [[Hindu astrology|religious astrologers]].<ref>{{Cite news | author = Bernard Weinraub |date=24 February 1975 |title=World's Only Hindu King Is Crowned in Nepal Ritual |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/24/archives/worlds-only-hindu-king-is-crowned-in-nepal-ritual-worlds-only-hindu.html |access-date=6 August 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126145419/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/24/archives/worlds-only-hindu-king-is-crowned-in-nepal-ritual-worlds-only-hindu.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] monarch, he had to follow Nepalese tradition.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Bernard Weinraub |date=23 February 1975 |title=Nepal Begins Ritual Of Royal Coronation |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/23/archives/nepal-begins-ritual-of-royal-coronation.html |access-date=6 August 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308141906/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/23/archives/nepal-begins-ritual-of-royal-coronation.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Panchayat era ===
{{Main|Panchayat (Nepal)}}

On his ascension to the throne, Birendra was effectively an [[absolute monarch]], as he inherited a country where political parties were banned and he ruled through a system of local and regional councils known as [[Panchayat (Nepal)|panchayats]].<ref name="NYT" />

In an attempt to maintain the ''panchayat'' system of government, prominent leaders of the [[Nepali Congress Party]] were arrested frequently.<ref name="NYT" /> During the 1980s the restraints that had been imposed on political organizations were eased, and liberal student-led groups started to demand constitutional change in Nepal.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nepalhomepage.com/news/century_poll/english/birendra|title=King Birendra Credentials|access-date=23 July 2015|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117071004/http://nepalhomepage.com/news/century_poll/english/birendra/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Because of the growing pro-democracy movement Birendra announced that a referendum to decide between a party-less or a multi-party system would be held. During, referendum options were given for a multi-party system or a Panchayati system. The referendum was held in May 1980 with the party-less system winning by a margin of 55% to 45%.<ref name="Malhotra">{{Cite news |last=Malhotra |first=Inder |date=4 June 2001 |title=King Birendra of Nepal |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/04/guardianobituaries.nepal |access-date=21 July 2008 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604100326/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/04/guardianobituaries.nepal |url-status=live }}</ref> The result of the election led the king to make mass restructuring of country both economically and politically. After the national referendum, he divided the nation into 5 development regions in order to create balanced development and visited each division once a year; the visits were discontinued after his status as a constitutional monarchy in 1990.<ref name=":5" />

=== Democratic era ===
[[File:Birendra of Nepal with Rajiv Gandhi.jpg|Birendra shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]], 1985|thumb]]
In 1990, a series of strikes and pro-democracy riots broke out in Nepal. Due to the riots, Birendra lifted the ban on political parties and agreed to become a [[constitutional monarch]] in April 1990. He appointed an independent Constitution Recommendation Commission to represent the main opposition factions and to prepare a new constitution to accommodate their demands for political reform.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/nepal/53.htm |title=The Constitution of 1990 |access-date=21 July 2008 |publisher=Country Studies |archive-date=5 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705230937/http://countrystudies.us/nepal/53.htm |url-status=live }} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The commission presented him with the draft of the proposed constitution on 10 September 1990. The new constitution would make Birendra head of state of a constitutional monarchy with a system of multiparty democracy. The draft constitution was approved by the Prime Minister [[Krishna Prasad Bhattarai]] and his cabinet and so, on 9 November 1990, Birendra [[Promulgation|promulgated]] the new constitution transformed Nepal into a constitutional monarchy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/04/guardianobituaries.nepal|title=King Birendra of Nepal A ruler much loved by his people, he bowed to popular will and surrendered absolute power|newspaper=The Guardian|date=4 June 2001|last1=Malhotra|first1=Inder|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604100326/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/04/guardianobituaries.nepal|url-status=live}}</ref> As a constitutional monarch, Birendra became more popular than he had been as an autocratic ruler attributing to his democratic views and behaviors as well as the inability of the political parties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VIEWPOINT |date=2 June 2022 |title=13 Reasons Why Former King Birendra Shah Is the Most Loved Monarch of Nepal |url=https://www.nepwave.com/13-reasons-why-former-king-birendra-shah-is-the-most-loved-monarch-of-nepal/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=NEPWAVE |language=en-US |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716221904/https://www.nepwave.com/13-reasons-why-former-king-birendra-shah-is-the-most-loved-monarch-of-nepal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Birendra, however, could not prevent the [[Nepalese Civil War]], a conflict between [[Maoism|Maoist]] rebels and government forces, which lasted from 1996 until 2006.<ref name=":1">Sharma, S. (2019). ''The Nepal Nexus: An Inside Account of the Maoists, the Durbar and New Delhi''. Penguin Random House India Private Limited.</ref>

=== Murder ===
{{Main|Nepalese royal massacre}}

Birendra and members of his immediate family were massacred on 1 June 2001 at the [[Narayanhiti Palace]], the residence of the [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepali monarchy]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crossette |first=Barbara |date=4 June 2001 |title=Birendra, 55, Nepal's King During Transition to Democracy, Is Dead |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/04/obituaries/birendra-55-nepals-king-during-transition-to-democracy-is-dead.html |access-date=16 July 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=31 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231143809/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/04/obituaries/birendra-55-nepals-king-during-transition-to-democracy-is-dead.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After shooting himself, the comatose Dipendra was proclaimed King. He failed to regain consciousness and was declared dead a few days later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2001 |title=Tragedy in Nepal Royal Family Massacred |url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/september-october-2001/2001-09-tragedy-in-nepal-royal-family-massacred/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107145813/https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/september-october-2001/2001-09-tragedy-in-nepal-royal-family-massacred/ |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=Hinduism Today |language=en-US}}</ref> With no other royal wanting to take the throne, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was made the king.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=West |first1=Julian |date=2 June 2001 |title=Nepal's royal killer is named King as his parents are cremated |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/nepal/1311386/Nepals-royal-killer-is-named-King-as-his-parents-are-cremated.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/nepal/1311386/Nepals-royal-killer-is-named-King-as-his-parents-are-cremated.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Notable works and improvements ==
=== Diplomatic campaign ===
[[File:President Ronald Reagan with King Birendra Bir Kikram Shah Dev of Nepal and Joan Rivers.jpg|thumb|Birendra with US President [[Ronald Reagan]], 1983]]
He managed to maintain Nepal's independence despite encroaching influences by India, China, and the Soviet Union. His first trips abroad as king were to India in October 1973 and China two months later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=King Birendra's Historic China Visit |url=http://peoplesreview.com.np/index.php/articles/item/2446-king-birendra-s-historic-china-visit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723230223/http://peoplesreview.com.np/index.php/articles/item/2446-king-birendra-s-historic-china-visit |archive-date=23 July 2015 |access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref>  He prevented the breaking up of Mustang from Nepal and Tibet from China during the Mustang revolution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2020 |title=खम्पा काण्ड : नेपालबाट मुस्ताङलाई टुक्य्राएर तिब्बत कब्जा गर्न विदेशीले गराएको विद्रोह ! |url=https://www.swadeshnepal.com/2020/01/15628/ |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=Swadesh Nepal |language=en-US |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723013036/https://www.swadeshnepal.com/2020/01/15628/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=देवकी विष्ट |title=खम्पा विद्रोह' मा लिपुलेक नजिक लडाईं लडेका एक प्रहरीको संस्मरण |url=https://www.breaknlinks.com/nepali/news/2593 |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=Breaknlinks |language=ne |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810183457/https://www.breaknlinks.com/nepali/news/2593 |url-status=live }}</ref> The disarmament of Khampas rebellions working against China brought Nepal-China relations to a new height.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Basnyat |first=Prem Singh |title=A forgotten history |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/67819/ |access-date=22 July 2022 |website=My Republica |language=en |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723021548/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/67819/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="premBasnyat">{{Cite book |last=Basnyāta |first=P. |title=Nepalese Army in Tibetan Khampa Disarming Mission |date=2007 |publisher=Sarwochcha Man Singh Basnyat |isbn=978-99946-2-863-6}}</ref> His compatriots remember him for his extensive campaign and contribution for the establishment of [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] and South Asian food reserve. During his reign, he was also able to set up the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Diplomatic achievements of King Birendra: From Peace Zone Proposal to expansion of foreign relations |url=https://english.nepalpress.com/2021/06/02/diplomatic-achievements-of-king-birendra-from-peace-zone-proposal-to-expansion-of-foreign-relations/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=Nepal Press |language=en-US |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001182551/https://english.nepalpress.com/2021/06/02/diplomatic-achievements-of-king-birendra-from-peace-zone-proposal-to-expansion-of-foreign-relations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was able to establish diplomatic relations with additional 46 countries taking the total number of countries for diplomatic relations from 49 to 96. He further strengthened Nepal's policy of neutrality by promoting [[Nepal Zone of Peace Proposition|Nepal as zone of Peace]] in the UN.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NRC0015 – Nepali foreign policy and Zone of Peace: an attempt at neutrality? – NIPoRe |url=https://nipore.org/nrc0015-nepali-foreign-policy-and-zone-of-peace-an-attempt-at-neutrality/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707073318/https://nipore.org/nrc0015-nepali-foreign-policy-and-zone-of-peace-an-attempt-at-neutrality/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He believed that Nepal, sandwiched between the two Asian powers, should have good relationship with both.<ref name="Malhotra" />

=== Promotion of peace ===
{{Main|Nepal Zone of Peace Proposition}}

He proposed Nepal to be declared a zone of Peace in the United Nations meeting, taking into consideration Nepal's historic peace status, birth of Gautam Buddha and its historical policy of Non-alignment to any foreign powers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |title=Late King Birendra And His Demand For "Peace Zone"Status For Nepal. |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2019/05/15/late-king-birendra-and-his-demand-peace-zonestatus-nepal/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716202712/https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2019/05/15/late-king-birendra-and-his-demand-peace-zonestatus-nepal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This proposal was supported by 116 countries in the UNO.<ref name=":2" /> He later established a "Peace Keeping Training Camp" in 1986. This was later restructured into a training institute in 2001 for training peace keeping forces. It was later renamed as [[Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre]]. This institute, was later restructured as the training organization through which Nepal started sending trained, peace-keeping forces in cooperation with the UN and became an active member of it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BPOTC {{!}} वीरेन्द्र शान्ति कार्य तालिम केन्दर |url=https://bpotc.nepalarmy.mil.np/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=bpotc.nepalarmy.mil.np |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716232532/https://bpotc.nepalarmy.mil.np/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1974, [[King Birendra]] was successful in peacefully disarming the [[Kham]]pas rebellions, settled in the northern Himalayan region, by giving land, money and citizenship to those who surrendered their arms, and by confiscating weapons as well. Thus who did not surrender would be prohibited from moving toward the Tibetan region.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saxena |first=Shobhan |date=30 March 2008 |title=The legion of Betrayed Warriors |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/the-legion-of-betrayed-warriors/articleshow/2910662.cms |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723013041/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/the-legion-of-betrayed-warriors/articleshow/2910662.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Birendra is also credited with blocking the use of the army for suppressing the Maoist revolution in the country, which would've further aggravated the situation and disturbed the peace in the nation.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Nepal Insight |title=Why didn't birendra use the army against Maoist? {{!}} Nepal History |date=20 June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca2FHjNR-z0 |language=ne |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717231824/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca2FHjNR-z0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Environmental protection ===
[[File:Tibetan Snowcock.jpg|thumb|A [[Tibetan snowcock]] at Sagarmatha National Park]]
King Birendra was regarded as a lover of nature and a great supporter of nature conservation. The trend of nature conservation from the government started during his reign. The dramatic decline of the rhinoceros population due to massive Terai migration and the extent of poaching prompted the government to institute the Rhino Patrol force (Nepali: ''गैडा गस्ती'' ) of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction of rhinos through a legal system, National park law was introduced which gazetted the [[Chitwan National Park]] in December 1970, with borders delineated the following year and established in 1973.<ref name="Gurung1983">Gurung, K. K. (1983). ''Heart of the Jungle: the Wildlife of Chitwan, Nepal''. André Deutsch, London.</ref><ref name="adhikari">{{cite journal|author=dhikari, T. R.|date=2002|url=http://www.sosrhino.org/news/Updatepoaching.pdf|title=The curse of success|journal=Habitat Himalaya – A Resources Himalaya Factfile|volume=IX|number=3}}{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324130119/http://www.sosrhino.org/news/Updatepoaching.pdf |date=24 March 2023 }} </ref>
[[File:Greater one-horned rhinoceros at Chitwan.jpg|left|thumb|An [[Indian rhinoceros]] at Chitwan National Park]]
For the purpose of conservation of Tigers in the nation, an area of 368&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> was gazetted as ''Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve'' in 1976 which was later proclaimed as [[Bardiya National Park|Royal Bardiya Wildlife Reserve]] in 1982. The [[Babai River]] Valley was further added to this reserved area in 1984. A flourishing ecosystem in the reserve later led to the proclamation of the area as national park in 1988.<ref name="mk98">Majupuria, T. C., Kumar, R. (1998). ''Wildlife, National Parks and Reserves of Nepal.'' S. Devi, Saharanpur and Tecpress Books, Bangkok. {{ISBN|974-89833-5-8}}</ref> The country's fourth protected area was established in 1976 from the Himalayan area of Langtang and named as [[Langtang National Park]]. For this purpose, an area of 1,710&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> was reserved in the district of [[Nuwakot District|Nuwakot]], [[Rasuwa District|Rasuwa]] and [[Sindhulpalchok District|Sindhulpalchok]].<ref name="nbrb2007">{{cite book |url=http://lib.icimod.org/record/7560/files/Nepal%20Biodiversity%20Resource%20Book.pdf |title=Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites |publisher=International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific |year=2007 |isbn=978-92-9115-033-5 |location=Kathmandu |author1=Bhuju, U. R. |author2=Shakya, P. R. |author3=Basnet, T. B. |author4=Shrestha, S. |access-date=2 June 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726170342/http://books.icimod.org/demo/uploads/ftp/Nepal%20Biodiversity%20Resource%20Book.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> He also gazetted another wildlife reserve in 1976 as [[Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve]]. In the same year, he also established [[Shuklaphanta National Park|Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve]] in the Terai region of far-western province which was later enlarged and converted to national park in the late 1980s.<ref name="majupuria1998">{{Cite book |author=Majupuria, T.C. |title=Wildlife, National Parks and Reserves of Nepal |author2=Kumar, R. |publisher=S. DeviSaharanpur and Tecpress Books |year=1998 |isbn=974-89833-5-8 |location=Bangkok |pages=237–240 |chapter=Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve |name-list-style=amp}}</ref><ref name="Basnet_al2019">{{Cite journal |author1=Basnet, H. |author2=Thakuri, D.C. |author3=Bhetwal, K. |author4=Joshi, D. |author5=Poudyal, L.P. |name-list-style=amp |year=2019 |title=Recent records of threatened birds in the Sukilaphanta Grassland, Suklaphanta National Park, Nepal, with particular focus on White-throated Bushchat ''Saxicola insignis'' and Finn's Weaver ''Ploceus megarhynchus'' |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340730965 |journal=Birding Asia |issue=32 |pages=93–96}}</ref> Also, another protected area, [[Rara National Park]] was established in the same year in order to protect the unique flora and fauna of [[Humla District|Humla]], [[Mugu District|Mugu]] and [[Jumla District|Jumla]] regions and to fulfil his father, [[Mahendra of Nepal|King Mahendra's]] dream of creating a pristine nature reserve with a reserved  area of 106&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>  in the [[Mugu District|Mugu]] and [[Jumla District|Jumla]] districts which also includes the famous Rara Lake.<ref name="nbrb2007" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepali Times {{!}} The Brief » Blog Archive » Remembering Rara |url=https://www.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2017/10/02/remembering-rara/ |access-date=20 July 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923021550/https://nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2017/10/02/remembering-rara |url-status=live }}</ref> The last National Park to be established as part of the [[Sacred Himalayan Landscape]] in the same year was [[Sagarmatha National Park]] in with reservation of area of 1,148&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>  in the [[Solukhumbu District]].<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Gurung, C. P. |title=Conservation Biology in Asia |author2=Maskey, T. M. |author3=Poudel, N. |author4=Lama, Y. |author5=Wagley, M. P. |author6=Manandhar, A. |author7=Khaling, S. |author8=Thapa, G. |author9=Thapa, S. |publisher=Nepal Society for Conservation Biology, Asia Section and Resources Himalaya Foundation |year=2006 |isbn=99946-996-9-5 |editor1=McNeely, J. A. |location=Kathmandu |pages=10–20 |chapter=The Sacred Himalayan Landscape: Conceptualizing, Visioning, and Planning for Conservation of Biodiversity, Culture and Livelihoods in the Eastern Himalaya |editor2=McCarthy, T. M. |editor3=Smith, A. |editor4=Whittaker, O. L. |editor5=Wikramanayake, E. D. |chapter-url=https://conbio.org/images/content_groups/Asia/Chapter%201_Gurung_Himalayan%20Landscape.pdf |name-list-style=amp |author10=Wikramanayake, E. D. |access-date=2 June 2024 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128232904/https://conbio.org/images/content_groups/Asia/Chapter%201_Gurung_Himalayan%20Landscape.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1984, a 225&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> area of [[Bajhang District|Bajhang]], [[Bajura District|Bajura]], [[Achham District|Achham]] and [[Doti]] was set aside as a protected area in the [[Far-Western Region, Nepal]] and was named [[Khaptad National Park]]. In the same year, he also established [[Parsa National Park|Parsa Wildlife Reserve]] which was later extended to a National Park. Similarly, the nation's only trans-[[Himalayas|Himalayan]] national park, [[Shey Phoksundo National Park]], was established in 1984 with an area of 3,555 square Kilometers in the districts of [[Dolpa District|Dolpa]] and [[Mugu District|Mugu]] in the [[Karnali Province]] which also included the famous [[Phoksundo Lake]].<ref name="nbrb2007"/>

In order to preserve the royal tradition of hunting as a hobby, but also to prevent the depleting wild life resource he established [[Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve]] in 1987 AD. [[King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation]] as a memorial to his father, with the then prince [[Gyanendra of Nepal|Gyanendra]] as the chairman, was also established in 1990. With the establishment of Mahendra trust, he declared [[Annapurna Conservation Area]].<ref>Croes, K. D. (2006). Conserving the king: Inverting the origin story of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project of Nepal. ''HIMALAYA, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies'', ''26''(1), 6.</ref>

Moreover, with his efforts, Nepal was able to enlist [[Sagarmatha National Park]] in 1979<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Sagarmatha National Park |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/120/ |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028174004/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/120 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Chitwan National Park]] in 1984<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Chitwan National Park |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/284/ |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826120952/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/284/ |url-status=live }}</ref> into the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World heritage sites]]. Similarly, monument zones such as the Durbar squares of [[Kathmandu Durbar Square|Kathmandu]], [[Patan Durbar Square|Lalitpur]] and [[Bhaktapur Durbar Square|Bhaktapur]] and religious sites such as [[Swayambhunath]], [[Boudhanath]], [[Pashupatinath Temple]] and [[Changu Narayan Temple|Changu Narayan]] was also enlisted in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Kathmandu Valley |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/121/ |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104081358/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/121/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Economic reforms ===
[[File:TUTH Emergency Hall.jpg|thumb|One of the blocks of Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, the oldest teaching hospital in Nepal.]]
Focusing on sustainability and environmental conservation, on {{Start date|1975|12|28|df=y}}, trolley bus system was established in Nepal from the aid of [[People's Republic of China]].  He followed in the path of his father to establish industrial estates by establishing Nepalgunj Industrial Area(1973), Pokhara Industrial Area(1974), Butwal Industrial Area(1976), Bhaktapur Industrial Area(1979), Dhankuta Industrial Area(1980), Birendranagar Industrial Area(1981), Gajendranarayan Industrial Area(1986) respectively.<ref>Khatri, M. B. (2018). Industrial development in Nepal: Problems and prospects. ''Economic Journal of Nepal'', ''41''(3-4), 25-40.</ref>

Birendra is initially credited for devising the plan of Melamchi water project to Kathmandu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |title=MELAMCHI PROJECT Water At The Tap |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2021/04/04/melamchi-project-water-tap/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630182510/https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2021/04/04/melamchi-project-water-tap/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Gorakhali Tires Industries, Udayapur Cement Industries Limited, Nepal Metal company, Nepal Pharmaceuticals were all established during his time. King Birendra, was the patron of [[Pashupati Area Development Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAOnline Reports on Nepal – The Royal Tragedy |url=https://www.raonline.ch/pages/story/np/npstory22c.html |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=www.raonline.ch |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811124858/https://www.raonline.ch/pages/story/np/npstory22c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 1979, Nepal Oriental Magnesite factory was established with a joint investment of Nepal government and Orissa Industries, India at [[Lakuri Danda]] in [[Dolakha District]] with the objective of producing dead burnt magnesite and talc powder.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Govt making efforts to revive Nepal Orind Magnesite |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2014/04/01/govt-making-efforts-to-revive-nepal-orind-magnesite |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003072253/https://kathmandupost.com/money/2014/04/01/govt-making-efforts-to-revive-nepal-orind-magnesite |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1983 he was able to establish a [[Nepal-Pakistan relations|Nepal-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission]] bringing in significant foreign investments in the country.

A 60 megawatt [[hydropower]] project at Kulekhani began operation in 1982 with economic aid from the [[World Bank]], [[Kuwait]], and [[Japan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepal {{!}} History, Population, Flag, Language, Map, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nepal |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=12 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312210525/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/409152/Nepal/23651/Health-and-education |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[TU Teaching Hospital]] was established in 1982 with the economic support from [[Japan International Cooperation Agency]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About – Institute of Medicine |url=http://iom.edu.np/about/ |access-date=17 July 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717200810/http://iom.edu.np/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nardevi Ayurvedic Hospital was established in 1974. Nepal Police Hospital was established by the king on the 27th of Chaitra, 2040 BS with an intention to provide free health services to in- service policemen and, their families.

He established Securities Exchange Center Ltd in 1976 to manage, promote and support the growth of trade of stocks and capitals in the nation. This center was later developed to what we know today as [[Nepal Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepal Stock Exchange |url=https://www.nepalstock.com.np/about-us/introduction |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=www.nepalstock.com.np |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005162742/https://www.nepalstock.com.np/about-us/introduction |url-status=live }}</ref>

He is also credited for establishing the first television channel of Nepal [[Nepal Television]] in 1984 which started its first channel in 1985 with French aid. Due to these economic reforms, by 1986, there were 2,054 industrial establishments employing about 125 thousand workers in the nation. By 1990, reach of people for television meant that video rental services and satellite dishes were commonly available.

King Birendra in the advice and consent of Rastriya Panchayat in 1986 established Mahendra Sanskrit University to manage [[Sanskrit]] education in Nepal  in Dang which at the time of its commencement was the second university of the country.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Nepal Sanskrit University Act, 2043 English |publisher=Law Commission Nepal |year=1986}}</ref>

=== Roads and transportation ===
Various Studies in 1972 showed that building road connectivity in hilly and rural areas were more expensive than air connectivity.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Eunmo |date=2007 |title=Modernization of Nepal under the Shah Dynasty, 1951–1991 |url=https://www.zum.de/whkmla/sp/0708/eunmo/eunmo1.html#ed |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=www.zum.de |publisher=Korean Minjok Leadership Academy International Program |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005224041/https://www.zum.de/whkmla/sp/0708/eunmo/eunmo1.html#ed |url-status=live }}</ref> So, the then government took the policy of connecting rural areas with airports and build roads only when there was a high amount of traffic flow. Under this policy, [[Baglung Airport]] ([[Balewa Airport]]), Dhorpatan Airport, [[Mahendranagar Airport]] and [[Rukum Chaurjahari Airport]] was established in the year 1973. [[Sanphebagar Airport|Sanphebagar airport]] was established in 1975. [[Simikot Airport]] was established on 18 March 1977, [[Dolpa Airport]], was established in 1978 and [[Ramechhap Airport|Ramechhap airport]] in 1979. [[Doti Airport]], also known as Silgadhi Airport  was established in 1973 with the blacktopped runway. [[Talcha Airport]], also known as [[Rara Airport]] was built in 1975.[[Taplejung Airport]] located in [[Phungling Municipality|Phungling]], also called [[Suketar Airport]], Jiri Airport and [[Phaplu Airport]] and [[Bajhang Airport]] was built in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2020 |title=Timeline of Nepal Aviation, glimpse from 1949 to 2020 |url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/timeline-of-nepal-aviation-glimpse-from-1949-to-2020/ |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=Aviation Nepal |language=en-US |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925200550/https://www.aviationnepal.com/timeline-of-nepal-aviation-glimpse-from-1949-to-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rolpa Airport]] in 1980, [[Manang Airport]] in 1981, [[Bajura Airport|Bajura airport]]  in 1984 and Darchula Airport in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adventures |first=Third Rock |title=Airports in Nepal – 50 Places That Connect the Country to the World |url=https://www.thirdrockadventures.com/blog/airports-in-nepal |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=Third Rock Adventures |language=en |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526132209/https://www.thirdrockadventures.com/blog/airports-in-nepal |url-status=live }}</ref>

Similarly, The Lamosangu-Jiri road leading to Solukhumbu was commissioned in 1985 with Swiss government aid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SHRESTHA |first=PRAGYA |date=2005 |title=The great green road |url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=496#.YuBdc7pBzDc |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=archive.nepalitimes.com |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308142006/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=496#.YuBdc7pBzDc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Switzerland – Nepal: A close partnership lasting more than 50 years – Nepal {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/switzerland-nepal-close-partnership-lasting-more-50-years |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=reliefweb.int |date=4 August 2009 |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726233223/https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/switzerland-nepal-close-partnership-lasting-more-50-years |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Promotion of agriculture ===
The government, during Birendra's reign, focused highly on agriculture promotion. As a result, almost 90% of the population was directly or indirectly involved in agriculture by 1990. Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper was established in 1985 under the Companies Act 2021 ([[Bikram Sambat]]) with support from the [[People's Republic of China]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chitrakar |first=Tara Devi |year=2012 |title=Performance of Bhrikuti Paper and Pulp Limited: Before and After Privatization |url=https://www.pyc.edu.np/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=604:performance-of-bhrikuti-paper-and-pulp-limited-before-and-after-privatization&catid=97:volume-v-2012&Itemid=530 |journal=PYC Nepal Journal of Management |volume=5 |pages=44–54 |doi=10.3126/pycnjm.v5i1.81346 |via=[[Public Youth Campus]] |access-date=2 June 2024 |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727084203/https://www.pyc.edu.np/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=604%3Aperformance-of-bhrikuti-paper-and-pulp-limited-before-and-after-privatization&catid=97%3Avolume-v-2012&Itemid=530 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=6 December 2011 |title=Largest Paper Mill in Nepal Closing |url=https://www.globalpapermoney.com/largest-paper-mill-in-nepal-closing--cms-5946 |access-date=27 July 2021 |website=Global Paper Money |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727082210/https://www.globalpapermoney.com/largest-paper-mill-in-nepal-closing--cms-5946 |url-status=live }}</ref> Increase in agricultural lands and agricultural workforce provided increased supplies of food, resulting in better nutrition. Corn production was increased to over 1 million tons in 1991 from 500,000 tons in 1961. Lumbini Sugar Mills at Sunwal, [[Nawalparasi District|Nawalparasi]] was built with the technical assistance from China in 1982.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 1964 |title=NEPAL GETS HELP OF EAST AND WEST; Aid Projects were sped by China, Russia, U. S. and India. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/13/archives/nepal-gets-help-of-east-and-west-aid-projects-sped-by-china-russia.html |access-date=26 July 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726233223/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/13/archives/nepal-gets-help-of-east-and-west-aid-projects-sped-by-china-russia.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4" /> The establishment of Gorakhali rubber Industries led to the cultivation of rubber for the first time in [[Jhapa District|Jhapa]], [[Ilam, Nepal|Illam]] and many other places of eastern Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rubber industry readied for operation in Jhapa |url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/27/166439/ |access-date=30 July 2022 |website=Khabarhub |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730180632/https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/27/166439/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Poudel, M., Adhikari, P., Dhungana, S., Paudel, S., Thapa, K., Bidari, A., & Manandhar, R. (2020). Economics of rubber production in Jhapa, Nepal. ''Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources'', ''3''(1), 198-208.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=BHANDARI |first=TILAK |date=1 March 2021 |title=Saving Rubber Industries and Save Environment in Nepal |work=TILAK |url=https://www.irjr-n.org/rubber/saving-rubber-industries-and-save-environment-in-nepal/ |access-date=2 June 2024 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001090258/https://www.irjr-n.org/rubber/saving-rubber-industries-and-save-environment-in-nepal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Similarly. establishment of agriculture based industries such as Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper, Hetauda Textile and huge number of carpet and garment industry were established to convert raw agricultural produce which contributed greatly to the economy.<ref>Kharel, K. R., & Upadhyaya, Y. M. (2021). Contribution of Cottage and Small Scale Industries for Boosting Nepalese Economy. ''Tribhuvan University Journal'', ''36''(01), 45-57.</ref>

=== Political achievements ===
[[File:Nepal development regions.png|thumb|Administrative division of Nepal with 5 development regions]]
During the reign of King Birendra, referendum was held in 2037 BS for democracy wherein options were a multi-party system or a Panchayati system. During the Panchayat era and after the national referendum, he divided the nation into 5 development regions in order to create balanced development, and visited each division once a year; the visits were discontinued after 1990 democracy movement.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Khadka |first=Narayan |date=1991 |title=Nepal's Stagnant Economy: The Panchayat Legacy |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2645224 |journal=Asian Survey |volume=31 |issue=8 |pages=694–711 |doi=10.2307/2645224 |jstor=2645224 |issn=0004-4687 |access-date=2 June 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308142638/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2645224 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Despite previously being an autocratic rule and constant pressure from the supporters and royal members, the king always played the role of constitutional monarch by the book and never overstepped his boundaries. King Birendra was always there when there was some political crisis in the nation. Mid-term elections, 2051 and General Election, 2056 can be attributed to his good governance. The King regularly asked  the Supreme Court for its advice on any political matters that could concern the constitution so that he would never overstep the boundaries of the constitution. He created a culture where the king and prime minister would meet every Thursday at his palace to discuss matters of state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=King Birendra's 30-year reign- Nepali Times |url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=8412#.YtSEQ0xBzDc |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=archive.nepalitimes.com |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717220315/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=8412#.YtSEQ0xBzDc |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Social reforms ===
Recognizing low literacy levels as the main hindrance to national progress, King Birendra made development of education system his national priority. The five year plan starting from 1971 was mainly focused in building new educational institutions and upgrading the efficiency of the current education system. On the auspicious occasion of his coronation, King Birendra declared primary education to be free for all Nepalese citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thirty years of King Birendra's reign- Nepali Times |url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=11394#.YtMnxkxBzDc |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=archive.nepalitimes.com |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716220150/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=11394#.YtMnxkxBzDc |url-status=live }}</ref> Similarly,  in 1978 with a royal approval all educational material started to be distributed free of costs to educational institutions.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/45242336 | jstor=45242336 | title=The Role of Free Compulsory Primary Education Policy for the Political Development in Nepal | last1=Janjua | first1=Saba Javeed | journal=Strategic Studies | year=2006 | volume=26 | issue=1 | pages=100–131 | access-date=2 June 2024 | archive-date=18 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418221903/https://www.jstor.org/stable/45242336 | url-status=live }}</ref> King Birendra became the patron of [[Nepal Academy of Science and Technology|Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology]] which worked in the field of developing science and technology in the nation. He established [[Mahendra Sanskrit University]] in 1986 to preserve the language and culture in the region. Dowry system was criminalized in Nepal in 1976 under the Social Practices Reform Act (2033 B.S). Under the five year plan, King Birendra started the policy of National Service which required the post-graduate students to contribute their one-year of service to the development works in the rural areas. He initiated the process of preserving the history by establishing [[Natural History Museum of Nepal|Natural History Museum]] in 1975. On 22 September 1976 he enacted Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033  prohibiting the trade, smuggling or any kind of drug trafficking in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=diwakar |date=25 May 2021 |title=Narcotics law in Nepal: Everything you need to know about – OnlineKhabar English News |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/narcotics-law-in-nepal-everything-you-need-to-know-about.html |access-date=18 July 2022 |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718023120/https://english.onlinekhabar.com/narcotics-law-in-nepal-everything-you-need-to-know-about.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahat |first=Sunny |title=How the ban came about andhow long it will stay in place |url=https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/how-the-ban-came-about-andhow-long-it-will-stay-in-place-1479 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=The Annapurna Express |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718023121/https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/how-the-ban-came-about-andhow-long-it-will-stay-in-place-1479 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Development policy ===
Birendra took the policy of road development according to the population and daily road traffic and connecting the rural areas with airports. He restructured many governmental organization for the purpose of achieving developmental goals. He stressed roadbuilding, sanitation and scientific as well as technical trainings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Montgomery |first=Paul L. |date=24 February 1975 |title=King With a Sense of Mission |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/24/archives/king-with-a-sense-of-mission-birendra-bir-bikram-shah-dev.html |access-date=24 July 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=24 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724230827/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/24/archives/king-with-a-sense-of-mission-birendra-bir-bikram-shah-dev.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A comprehensive study performed regarding the central planning agency triggered the restructuring of the National Planning Commission in 1972 and minor changes in 1987.<ref name=":4" /> The government policy focused mainly on environment conservation, agriculture and education.

== Criticism ==
=== Stagnant economy ===
Though King Birendra is remembered as a development-friendly king, he is also criticized for his inability to drive the country towards rapid development efforts like his father [[Mahendra of Nepal|King Mahendra]]. He had the political will but simply not the skill through which development efforts could be rapidly gained. His policy of sustainable development, shown by his nature conservation efforts, culture, and history became hindrances for economic development. The Panchayat regime created a stagnant economy during his reign as an autocratic ruler.<ref name=":5" />

=== Administrative failure ===
Historians point out that the Panchayat Regime under King Birendra was a failure. He was not able to bring in much direct foreign investment during his reign, and all the programs he brought, or all the reforms he made were the continuation of his father's legacy. He restructured various organization previously established by his father, and implemented various development plan envisioned by his father.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattarai |first=Kamal Dev |title=Six decades of American aid |url=https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/six-decades-of-american-aid-1746 |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=The Annapurna Express |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730173822/https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/six-decades-of-american-aid-1746 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Sarthak Mani |date=3 September 2015 |title=High time to lift ban |url=https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/cannabis-high-time-to-lift-ban,2548 |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=nepalitimes |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723020000/https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/cannabis-high-time-to-lift-ban,2548 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Can WATER Change Nepal's FUTURE? – VisualPolitik EN | date=3 May 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HDQs1H32LI |language=en |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723020000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HDQs1H32LI |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Failed development efforts ===
Birendra restructured various organization and brought many development plans, but his development efforts were mostly a failure; which hindered any radical change in the country. Many airports and roads built during his era were rarely used, and eventually had to be closed down. Moreover, the reason the newly built roads were rarely used was due to very low vehicle ownership or access to vehicles; so rarely contributing to economic development.<ref name=":4" />

=== Fall of the Panchayat system ===
Some historians and anti-egalitarians blame Birendra solely for the fall of Panchayat regime. During the 1980s, the restraints that he had eased against political organizations provided a breeding ground for political parties which had previously been powerless and virtually non-existent until then.<ref name="BBC" />

== Personality ==
From a very young age, Birendra was described by his [[Eton College|Eton]] teachers as a kind prince.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A king who could do no wrong- Nepali Times |url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=13873#.Yt3PbLpBzDc |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=archive.nepalitimes.com |archive-date=5 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305183749/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=13873#.Yt3PbLpBzDc |url-status=live }}</ref> He was remembered by his Eton classmates as a "very, very nice bloke who was embarrassed when his full title was read out at the school assembly."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malhotra |first=Inder |date=4 June 2001 |title=Obituary: King Birendra of Nepal |url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/04/guardianobituaries.nepal |access-date=15 May 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Very famous Nepalese media personality, [[Neer Shah]] describe Birendra as kind and development loving king.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 June 2019 |title=Investigation into royal massacre was designedly flawed: Neer Shah (With video) |url=https://nepalireporter.com/2019/06/256010 |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=Reporters Nepal |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124230408/https://nepalireporter.com/2019/06/256010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Royalist around the king and various scholars define him as a simple king who was able to listen to others view.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Swiss author pens Nepali classic |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-author-pens-nepali-classic/2211924 |access-date=30 July 2022 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=20 September 2001 |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102065712/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-author-pens-nepali-classic/2211924 |url-status=live }}</ref> They also criticize him for his weakness of not being able to deny the requests of people around him and his habit to act like a clerk and work himself rather than order others.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Khanal |first=Rewati Raman |title=अनिभूति र अभिव्यक्ति (आत्म कथा) |publisher=Pradipta Printing and Publishing |year=2016 |edition=First |location=Kathmandu |language=ne}}</ref>

Birendra allowed the 2036 B.S. ''Janmat Sangraha'' (1980 [[Referendum]]) which was considered a move towards democracy. However, the leaders advocating for democracy and historians have claimed that the referendum was rigged.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kullabs.com/classes/subjects/units/lessons/notes/note-detail/1971 |title=Political Events from 2036 to 2046 B.S. |access-date=23 July 2019 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727000243/https://www.kullabs.com/classes/subjects/units/lessons/notes/note-detail/1971 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> After [[1990 People's Movement|People's Movement I]] that resulted in few hundred deaths, he established a [[constitutional monarchy]] in Nepal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 November 1990 |title=Nepal's King Gives Way to Multiparty Democracy |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/11/world/nepal-s-king-gives-way-to-multiparty-democracy.html |access-date=23 July 2019 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123071716/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/11/world/nepal-s-king-gives-way-to-multiparty-democracy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some historians have speculated that Birendra's democratic views and simple nature may have led to the success of the People's Movement I (1990).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Katawal |first1=Rookmangud |title=Aatmakatha ["Autobiography"] |date=2014 |isbn=978-9937874076 |edition=paperback |location=Nepal |language=ne |author-link1=Rookmangud Katawal|publisher=Publication nepalaya pvt. Limited}}<!--|access-date=29 September 2015--></ref> He is credited for introducing [[SAARC]] in Asia in order to strengthen the foreign relations of Nepal with the other South Asian countries.

== Memorial ==
Many structures, institutions and honors have been built in the memory of King Birendra. Monuments erected in his name were renamed after the restoration of the parliament in 2063 BS and the end of the monarchy in 2065 BS. After the political changes of 2063 BS, an attempt was made to rename the highway built in the name of the king as Lok Marg.
[[File:King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya Statue 20180227 GDK.jpg|thumb|300px|King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya Statue]]

=== Statues ===
# Birendra statue, Dhamboji Chowk, ([[Nepalgunj]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=Tension in Dhamboji after late king Birendra's monument erected |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/4858/ |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=My Republica |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811013608/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/4858/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
# Birendra statue ([[Dang District, Nepal|Dang]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=KING BIRENDRA {{!}} Elizabeth Dalziel |url=https://www.elizabethdalziel.com/image/I0000F7nesd8Xfno |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=www.elizabethdalziel.com |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810180432/https://www.elizabethdalziel.com/image/I0000F7nesd8Xfno |url-status=live }}</ref>
# Birendra statue, [[Birendranagar]] ([[Surkhet District|Surkhet]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=TV |first=Danfe |date=30 December 2021 |title=A statue of King Birendra was placed in Surkhet |url=https://eng.danfetv.com/?p=52394 |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=Danfe TV- English |language=en-US |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102065716/https://eng.danfetv.com/?p=52394 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# Birendra statue, Swargapuri ([[Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park|Shivapuri]])
# Birendra statue, [[Jawalakhel]] ([[Lalitpur, Nepal|Lalitpur]])
# Birendra statue, [[Bindhyabasini Temple]] ([[Pokhara]])
# Birendra statue, [[Pashupatinath Temple]] ([[Kathmandu]])

=== School ===
# Shree Birendra Higher Secondary School, [[Bhadrapur Municipality|Bhadrapur]], [[Jhapa District|Jhapa]]
# Shree Birendra Higher Secondary School, [[Charghare]], [[Nuwakot District|Nuwakot]]
# Shree Birendra Sarwajanik Higher Secondary School, [[Morang District|Morang]]
# Shree Birendra secondary school, [[Lakhantari]], [[Morang District|Morang]]
# Shree Birendra secondary school, [[Belbari Municipality|Belbari]], [[Morang District|Morang]]
# Shree Birendra Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, [[Jhorahat]], [[Morang District|Morang]]
# Birendra Secondary School, [[Katahari]], [[Morang District|Morang]]
# Birendra Secondary School, [[Arghakhanchi District|Argakhanchi]]
# Birendra Secondary School, [[Dasharathchand]]a, [[Baitadi District|Baitadi]]
# Birendra secondary school, [[Badikedar Rural Municipality|Badikedar]], [[Doti District|Doti]]
# Birendra Secondary School, [[Syangja District|Syangja]]
# Birendra Secondary School, [[Nuwakot District|Nuwakot]]
# Birendra Secondary School, [[Parbat District|Parbat]]
# [[Birendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya]], Bhaktapur
# Birendra jyoti Secondary School, Solukhumbu Sotang

=== College ===
# Birendara Bidhya Mandir Campus, [[Tikapur]], [[Kailali District|Kailali]]<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2018 |title=Institutional Overview |url=https://www.birendracampus.edu.np/about/institutional-overview |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=Birendra Bidhya Mandir Campus |language=en-US |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202104303/https://www.birendracampus.edu.np/about/institutional-overview/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
# [[Birendra Multiple Campus]], [[Bharatpur, Nepal|Bharatpur]]
# Birendra Memorial College, [[Dharan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://bmcdharan.edu.np/about-us/ |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=Birendra Memorial College |language=en-US |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706044603/https://bmcdharan.edu.np/about-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
# [[Birendra Multiple Campus]]

=== Location ===
# [[Birendranagar]], [[Surkhet District|Surkhet]]
# [[Birendranagar, Chitwan]]
# Birendra Chowk, ([[Birendranagar]])
# Birendra chowk, [[Kageshwari-Manohara]] Municipality
# Birendra chowk, [[Phungling Municipality]]
# Birendra Chowk, [[Dharan]]
# Birendra Chowk, [[Tulsipur, Dang|Tulsipur]], ([[Dang District, Nepal|Dang]])
# Birendra Chowk, ([[Birendranagar|Nepalgunj]])
# Birendra Chowk, ([[Itahari]])
# Birendra Chowk, ([[Beni, Myagdi]])
# [[Birendra Lake]] (Birendra Tal), [[Gorkha District|Gorkha]]
# Birendra Aishwarya Park, [[Dhangadhi|Dhangadi]]
# Birendra Aishwarya Park, [[Baglung]]

=== Structure ===
# [[Birendra Museum]], [[Kathmandu Durbar Square]]
# [[Birendra Hospital|Birendra Army Hospital]]
# [[Surkhet Airport|Birendranagar Airport]]

=== Others ===
# Birendra Beer, [[Zürich]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |title=Swiss brewery defends choice of Nepalese monarch on beer bottle |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/birendra-beer_swiss-brewery-defends-choice-of-nepalese-monarch-on-beer-bottle/44076202 |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=26 April 2018 |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630152552/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/birendra-beer_swiss-brewery-defends-choice-of-nepalese-monarch-on-beer-bottle/44076202 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# [[Birendra Memorial Cup]]
# [[Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre]]
# [[Birendranagar Jaycees]] [[File:Narayanhiti Palace Museum, crop.jpg|thumb|[[Narayanhiti Palace]] where the [[Nepalese royal massacre]] occurred.]]

== Honours ==
; National orders
* [[File:Nepal Pratap Bhaskara.svg|70px]] Sovereign of the [[Nepal Pratap Bhaskara|Order of Nepal Pratap Bhaskara]]
* [[File:Order of Ojaswi Rajanya (Nepal) - ribbon.svg|70px]] Sovereign of the [[Order of Ojaswi Rajanya]]
* [[File:Most Refulgent Order of the Star of Nepal.PNG|70px]] Sovereign of the [[Order of the Star of Nepal|Order of Nepal Taradisha]]
* [[File:Order of Tri Shakti Patta - ribbon bar.svg|70px]] Sovereign of the [[Order of Tri Shakti Patta]]
* [[File:Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu.svg|70px]] Sovereign of the [[Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu]]
* [[Mahendra Chain|Most Glorious Mahendra Chain]]
* [[File:King Mahendra Investiture Medal 1956.gif|70px]] Recipient of the King Mahendra Investiture Medal (02/05/1956)

; Foreign orders
* {{flag|Thailand}}: Knight of the [[Order of the Rajamitrabhorn]] (1986)<ref>{{cite book|title=ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ [สมเด็จพระราชาธิบดี สมเด็จพระราชินี แห่งเนปาล พร้อมด้วยคณะ]|url= https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/1573241.pdf|access-date= 9 April 2025|language=TH}}</ref>
* {{flag|Denmark}}: Knight of the [[Order of the Elephant]], (17 October 1989)
* {{flagu|Japan}}: Knight Grand Cordon with Collar of the [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]] (1975)
* {{flag|Cyprus}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Makarios III of Cyprus]] (1980)
* {{flag|Kingdom of Laos|1952}}: Knight Grand Cordon with Collar of the [[Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol]] (1970)
* {{flagu|Netherlands}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau]], (22 March 1975)
* {{flagu|France}}: Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]], (02/05/1983)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ambafrance-np.org/Bilateral-relations,651|title=Bilateral relations|website=La France au Népal|access-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018050841/http://www.ambafrance-np.org/Bilateral-relations,651|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Germany}}: Grand Cross Special Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]] (1986)
* {{flagu|Spain}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Charles III|Order of Carlos III]], (19 September 1983)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1983/09/20/pdfs/A25810-25810.pdf|title=Boletín Oficial del Estado|access-date=8 September 2018|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729092616/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1983/09/20/pdfs/A25810-25810.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: [[Nishan-e-Pakistan]] (1983)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Sami |date=27 May 2019 |title=How many Foreign Personalities got Nishan-e-Pakistan? |url=https://pakmcqs.com/pakistan-current-affairs-mcqs/how-many-foreign-personalities-got-nishan-e-pakistan |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=PakMcqs |language=en-US |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102065714/https://pakmcqs.com/pakistan-current-affairs-mcqs/how-many-foreign-personalities-got-nishan-e-pakistan |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Star of Romania]] (1975)
* {{flag|Chile}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Merit (Chile)|Order of Merit of Chile]] (1989)
* {{flag|Finland}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the White Rose of Finland|Order of the White Rose]] (1988)
* {{flag|Egypt}}: Collar of the [[Order of the Nile]] (1974)
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}}: Great Star of the [[Order of the Yugoslav Star]], (2 February 1974)
* {{flag icon|Romania|1965}} [[Socialist Republic of Romania|Romania]]: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of 23 August (1987)
* {{flagu|United Kingdom}}: Recipient of the [[Royal Victorian Chain]] (23 February 1975)

; Association honours
* {{flagu|Japan}}: [[Golden Pheasant Award]] of the [[Scout Association of Japan]] (1978)

== Ancestry ==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''King Birendra of Nepal'''
|2= 2. [[Mahendra of Nepal|King Mahendra of Nepal]]
|3= 3. [[Indra, Crown Princess of Nepal|Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi]]
|4= 4. [[Tribhuvan of Nepal|King Tribhuvan of Nepal]]
|5= 5. [[Queen Kanti of Nepal|Kanti Rajya Lakshmi Devi]]
|6= 6. Hari Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana
|7= 7. Megha Kumari Rajya Lakshmi
|8= 8. [[Prithvi of Nepal|King Prithvi of Nepal]]
|9= 9. [[Queen Divyeshwari of Nepal|Divyeshwari Rajya Lakshmi Devi]]
|10= 10. Arjan Singh Sahib, Raja of [[Chatra district|Chhatara]], [[Saharanpur district|Barhgaon]] and [[Awadh|Oudh]]
|11= 11. Krishnavati Devi Sahiba
|12= 12. [[Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana|Juddha Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski]]
|13= 13. Padma Kumari
|14= 14. N. Bikram Shah
|15=
}}

== See also ==
*[[List of heads of state and government who were assassinated or executed]]
*[[List of state visits made by Birendra of Nepal]]
*[[Wedding of Birendra of Nepal and Aishwarya]]
*[[Coronation of Birendra of Nepal]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef | rows=2 | before=[[Mahendra of Nepal|Mahendra]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Crown Prince]] of Nepal | years=1955–1972}}
{{s-aft | rows=2 | after=[[Dipendra of Nepal|Dipendra]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl | title=[[List of monarchs of Nepal|King of Nepal]] | years=1972–2001}}
{{s-end}}

{{Heads of State of Nepal}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2001 murders in Nepal]]
[[Category:Kings of Nepal]]
[[Category:British field marshals]]
[[Category:21st-century murdered monarchs]]
[[Category:21st-century monarchs in Asia]]
[[Category:Nepalese Hindus]]
[[Category:Nepalese murder victims]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Nepal]]
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
[[Category:University of Tokyo alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:People murdered in Nepal]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Star of Romania]]
[[Category:Recipients of Nishan-e-Imtiaz]]
[[Category:Shah dynasty]]
[[Category:Murder–suicides in Asia]]
[[Category:People of the Nepalese Civil War]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Assassinated heads of state in Asia]]
[[Category:Nepalese anti-communists]]
[[Category:Politicians assassinated in 2001]]
[[Category:Nepalese recipients of the Royal Victorian Chain]]
[[Category:20th-century monarchs in Asia]]