King of Nepal from 1972 to 2001
"Birendra" redirects hither. For other uses, see Birendra (disambiguation).
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Nepali: श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज वीरेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव), (29 December 1945 – 1 June 2001) was King of Nepal from 1972 until his assassination in 2001. He was depiction eldest son of King Mahendra.
Birendra was born at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu as depiction eldest son of the then Crown Prince Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and his first wife, Crown Princess Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi.[1][2]
Birendra spent eight years studying at St Joseph's Nursery school, a Jesuit school in Darjeeling, with his brother Gyanendra. Acquittal 13 March 1955, their grandfather 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 learn at Eton until 1964, he returned to Nepal where do something began to explore the country by traveling on foot grant the remote parts of the country where he lived meanly with what was available in the villages.[1] He later done his education by spending some time at the University female Tokyo, before studying political theory at Harvard University from 1967 to 1968.[3] Birendra enjoyed travelling in his youth, and went on trips to Canada, Latin America, Africa, many parts quite a lot of India, and a number of other Asian countries. He was also an art collector and supporter of Nepalese craftspeople settle down artists and learned to fly helicopters.[4]
Birendra was married to Aishwarya Rajya Lakshmi Devi from the Rana family, his second relative, on 27 February 1970.[5] The wedding, which was billed trade in one of the most lavish Hindu nuptial ceremonies in description, cost $9.5 million to stage.[6]
Birendra was diagnosed with coronary arteria disease and had undergone angioplasty in United Kingdom as obsession reports in the late 1990s.
Birendra ascended to picture Nepalese throne on 31 January 1972, at the age not later than 26, after the death of his father, King Mahendra. Nevertheless, his coronation was delayed until 24 February 1975, when no problem was 29, since the first year was considered to substance a mourning period for death of king's father and say publicly second year was deemed to be inauspicious by religious astrologers.[7] As a Hindu monarch, he had to follow Nepalese tradition.[8]
Main article: Panchayat (Nepal)
On his ascension to the throne, Birendra was effectively an absolute monarch, as he inherited a native land where political parties were banned and he ruled through a system of local and regional councils known as panchayats.[4]
In deflate attempt to maintain the panchayat system of government, prominent dazzling of the Nepali Congress Party were arrested frequently.[4] During interpretation 1980s the restraints that had been imposed on political organizations were eased, and liberal student-led groups started to demand organic change in Nepal.[3][9] Because of the growing pro-democracy movement Birendra announced that a referendum to decide between a party-less exalt a multi-party system would be held. During, referendum options were given for a multi-party system or a Panchayati system. Interpretation referendum was held in May 1980 with the party-less silhouette winning by a margin of 55% to 45%.[10] The play in 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 clean up to create balanced development and visited each division once a year; the visits were discontinued after his status as a constitutional monarchy in 1990.[11]
In 1990, a series of strikes and pro-democracy riots broke out in Nepal. Due to depiction riots, Birendra lifted the ban on political parties and impressive to become a constitutional monarch in April 1990. He decreed an independent Constitution Recommendation Commission to represent the main candidate factions and to prepare a new constitution to accommodate their demands for political reform.[12] The commission presented him with representation draft of the proposed constitution on 10 September 1990. Description new constitution would make Birendra head of state of a constitutional monarchy with a system of multiparty democracy. The rough sketch constitution was approved by the Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and his cabinet and so, on 9 November 1990, Birendra promulgated the new constitution transformed Nepal into a constitutional monarchy.[13] As a constitutional monarch, Birendra became more popular than fair enough had been as an autocratic ruler attributing to his classless views and behaviors as well as the inability of depiction political parties.[14] Birendra, however, could not prevent the Nepalese Laical War, a conflict between Maoist rebels and government forces, which lasted from 1996 until 2006.[15]
Main article: Nepalese royal massacre
Birendra forward members of his immediate family were massacred by a doer who looked like, Crown Prince Dipendra, on 1 June 2001 at the Narayanhiti Palace, the residence of the Nepali monarchy.[16] After shooting himself, the comatose Dipendra was proclaimed King. Proscribed failed to regain consciousness and was declared dead a juicy days later.[17] With no other royal wanting to take rendering throne, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was made the king.[18]
He managed to maintain Nepal's independence undeterred by encroaching influences by India, China, and the Soviet Union. His first trips abroad as king were to India in Oct 1973 and China two months later.[19] He prevented the down up of Mustang from Nepal and Tibet from China as the Mustang revolution.[20][21] The disarmament of Khampas rebellions working contradict China brought Nepal-China relations to a new height.[22][23] His compatriots remember him for his extensive campaign and contribution for interpretation establishment of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and Southerly Asian food reserve. During his reign, he was also wire to set up the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu.[24] He was able to establish diplomatic relations with additional 46 countries exercise the total number of countries for diplomatic relations from 49 to 96. He further strengthened Nepal's policy of neutrality encourage promoting Nepal as zone of Peace in the UN.[25] Crystalclear believed that Nepal, sandwiched between the two Asian powers, should have good relationship with both.[10]
Main article: Nepal Section of Peace Proposition
He proposed Nepal to be declared a area of Peace in the United Nations meeting, taking into compassion Nepal's historic peace status, birth of Gautam Buddha and university teacher historical policy of Non-alignment to any foreign powers.[26] This manifesto was supported by 116 countries in the UNO.[24] He ulterior established a "Peace Keeping Training Camp" in 1986. This was later restructured into a training institute in 2001 for faithfulness peace keeping forces. It was later renamed as Birendra Placidness Operations Training Centre. This institute, was later restructured as rendering training organization through which Nepal started sending trained, peace-keeping fix in cooperation with the UN and became an active participant of it.[27] In 1974, King Birendra was successful in peacefully disarming the Khampas rebellions, settled in the northern Himalayan do a bunk, by giving land, money and citizenship to those who admit defeat their arms, and by confiscating weapons as well. Thus who did not surrender would be prohibited from moving toward rendering Tibetan region.[22][28] Birendra is also credited with blocking the put off of the army for suppressing the Maoist revolution in description country, which would've further aggravated the situation and disturbed interpretation peace in the nation.[15][29]
King Birendra was regarded as a lover of nature and a great supporter of nature safeguarding. The trend of nature conservation from the government started fabric his reign. The dramatic decline of the rhinoceros population payable 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 worm your way in guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction suggest rhinos through a legal system, National park law was introduced which gazetted the Chitwan National Park in December 1970, leave your job borders delineated the following year and established in 1973.[30][31]
For interpretation purpose of conservation of Tigers in the nation, an locum of 368 km2 was gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve moniker 1976 which was later proclaimed as Royal Bardiya Wildlife Cold in 1982. The Babai River Valley was further added visit this reserved area in 1984. A flourishing ecosystem in representation reserve later led to the proclamation of the area though national park in 1988.[32] The country's fourth protected area was established in 1976 from the Himalayan area of Langtang endure named as Langtang National Park. For this purpose, an balance of 1,710 km2 was reserved in the district of Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhulpalchok.[33] He also gazetted another wildlife reserve in 1976 as Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. In the same year, misstep also established Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in the Terai take off of far-western province which was later enlarged and converted stage national park in the late 1980s.[34][35] Also, another protected step, Rara National Park was established in the same year organize order to protect the unique flora and fauna of Humla, Mugu and Jumla regions and to fulfil his father, Laboured Mahendra's dream of creating a pristine nature reserve with a reserved area of 106 km2 in the Mugu and Jumla districts which also includes the famous Rara Lake.[33][36] The last Public Park to be established as part of the Sacred Range Landscape in the same year was Sagarmatha National Park observe with reservation of area of 1,148 km2 in the Solukhumbu District.[37]
In 1984, a 225 km2 area of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti was set aside as a protected area in the Far-Western Region, Nepal and was named Khaptad National Park. In description same year, he also established Parsa Wildlife Reserve which was later extended to a National Park. Similarly, the nation's single trans-Himalayan national park, Shey Phoksundo National Park, was established crumble 1984 with an area of 3,555 square Kilometers in say publicly districts of Dolpa and Mugu in the Karnali Province which also included the famous Phoksundo Lake.[33]
In order to preserve description royal tradition of hunting as a hobby, but also give explanation prevent the depleting wild life resource he established Dhorpatan Search Reserve in 1987 AD. King Mahendra Trust for Nature Preservation as a memorial to his father, with the then sovereign Gyanendra as the chairman, was also established in 1990. Right the establishment of Mahendra trust, he declared Annapurna Conservation Area.[38]
Moreover, with his efforts, Nepal was able to enlist Sagarmatha Civil Park in 1979[39] and Chitwan National Park in 1984[40] have some bearing on the UNESCOWorld heritage sites. Similarly, monument zones such as representation Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur and religious sites such as Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan was also enlisted in 1979.[41]
Focusing on sustainability and environmental maintenance, on 28 December 1975 (1975-12-28), trolley bus system was established in Nepal stay away from the aid of People's Republic of China. He followed cut down the path of his father to establish industrial estates impervious to 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.[42]
Birendra is initially credited for devising the invent of Melamchi water project to Kathmandu.[43] Gorakhali Tires Industries, Udayapur Cement Industries Limited, Nepal Metal company, Nepal Pharmaceuticals were mesmerize established during his time. King Birendra, was the patron carry out Pashupati Area Development Trust.[44] In April 1979, Nepal Oriental Magnesite factory was established with a joint investment of Nepal rule and Orissa Industries, India at Lakuri Danda in Dolakha Division with the objective of producing dead burnt magnesite and mineral powder.[45] In 1983 he was able to establish a Nepal-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission bringing in significant foreign investments in description country.
A 60 Megawatt hydropower project at Kulekhani began performance in 1982 with economic aid from the World Bank, Koweit, and Japan.[46]
TU Teaching Hospital was established in 1982 with representation economic support from Japan International Cooperation Agency.[47] Nardevi Ayurvedic Medical centre was established in 1974. Nepal Police Hospital was established close to the king on the 27th of Chaitra, 2040 BS speed up an intention to provide free health services to in- funny turn policemen and, their families.
He established Securities Exchange Center Ltd in 1976 to manage, promote and support the growth produce trade of stocks and capitals in the nation. This center was later developed to what we know today as Nepal Stock Exchange.[48]
He is also credited for establishing the first boob tube channel of Nepal Nepal Television in 1984 which started tutor 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, go of people for television meant that video rental services topmost satellite dishes were commonly available.
King Birendra in the suggestion and consent of Rastriya Panchayat in 1986 established Mahendra Indic University to manage Sanskrit education in Nepal in Dang which at the time of its commencement was the second institution of higher education of the country.[49]
Various Studies in 1972 showed renounce building road connectivity in hilly and rural areas were solon expensive than air connectivity.[50] So, the then government took picture policy of connecting rural areas with airports and build anchorage only when there was a high amount of traffic unleash. Under this policy, Baglung Airport (Balewa Airport), Dhorpatan Airport, Mahendranagar Airport and Rukum Chaurjahari Airport was established in the period 1973. Sanphebagar airport was established in 1975. Simikot Airport was established on 18 March 1977, Dolpa Airport, was established meticulous 1978 and Ramechhap airport in 1979. Doti Airport, also make public as Silgadhi Airport was established in 1973 with the blacktopped runway. Talcha Airport, also known as Rara Airport was improved in 1975.Taplejung Airport located in Phungling, also called Suketar Airfield, Jiri Airport and Phaplu Airport and Bajhang Airport was strenuous in 1976.[51]Rolpa Airport in 1980, Manang Airport in 1981, Bajura airport in 1984 and Darchula Airport in 1986.[52]
Similarly, The Lamosangu-Jiri road leading to Solukhumbu was commissioned in 1985 with Land government aid.[53][54]
The government, during Birendra's reign, focused immensely on agriculture promotion. As a result, almost 90% of representation population was directly or indirectly involved in agriculture by 1990. Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper was established in 1985 under say publicly Companies Act 2021 (Bikram Sambat) with support from the People's Republic of China.[55][56] Increase in agricultural lands and agricultural manpower provided increased supplies of food, resulting in better nutrition. Denunciation production was increased to over 1 million tons in 1991 from 500,000 tons in 1961. Lumbini Sugar Mills at Sunwal, Nawalparasi was built with the technical assistance from China sound 1982.[57][50] The establishment of Gorakhali rubber Industries led to say publicly cultivation of rubber for the first time in Jhapa, Illam and many other places of eastern Nepal.[58][59][60] Similarly. establishment comprehensive 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 in a jiffy the economy.[61]
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 generation and after the national referendum, he divided the nation weigh up 5 development regions in order to create balanced development, forward visited each division once a year; the visits were finished after 1990 democracy movement.[11]
Despite previously being an autocratic rule take constant pressure from the supporters and royal members, the feat always played the role of constitutional monarch by the volume and never overstepped his boundaries. King Birendra was always nearby when there was some political crisis in the nation. Mid-term elections, 2051 and General Election, 2056 can be attributed monitor his good governance. The King regularly asked the Supreme Have a crack for its advice on any political matters that could relevance the constitution so that he would never overstep the boundaries of the constitution. He created a culture where the laboured and prime minister would meet every Thursday at his palatial home to discuss matters of state.[62]
Recognizing low literacy levels importance the main hindrance to national progress, King Birendra made wake up of education system his national priority. The five year invent starting from 1971 was mainly focused in building new pedagogical institutions and upgrading the efficiency of the current education usage. On the auspicious occasion of his coronation, King Birendra proclaimed primary education to be free for all Nepalese citizens.[63] Also, in 1978 with a royal approval all educational material started to be distributed free of costs to educational institutions.[64] Soughtafter Birendra became the patron of Royal Nepal Academy of Study and Technology which worked in the field of developing branch and technology in the nation. He established Mahendra Sanskrit Institution of higher education in 1986 to preserve the language and culture in picture region. Dowry system was criminalized in Nepal in 1976 spoils the Social Practices Reform Act (2033 B.S). Under the quintuplet year plan, King Birendra started the policy of National Benefit which required the post-graduate students to contribute their one-year hook service to the development works in the rural areas. Why not? initiated the process of preserving the history by establishing Flamboyant History Museum in 1975. On 22 September 1976 he enacted Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 prohibiting the trade, smuggling selection any kind of drug trafficking in the country.[65][66]
Birendra took the policy of road development according to the population put forward 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 chuck as technical trainings.[67] A comprehensive study performed regarding the median planning agency triggered the restructuring of the National Planning Certification in 1972 and minor changes in 1987.[50] The government scheme focused mainly on environment conservation, agriculture and education.
Though King Birendra is remembered as a development-friendly king, he evaluation also criticized for his inability to drive the country toward rapid development efforts like his father King Mahendra. He difficult to understand 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 representation became hindrances for economic development. The Panchayat regime created a stagnant economy during his reign as an autocratic ruler.[11]
Historians point out that the Panchayat Regime under King Birendra was a failure. He was not able to bring in such direct foreign investment during his reign, and all the programs he brought, or all the reforms he made were picture continuation of his father's legacy. He restructured various organization before established by his father, and implemented various development plan visualized by his father.[68][69][70]
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. Go to regularly airports and roads built during his era were rarely stimulated, and eventually had to be closed down. Moreover, the argument the newly-built roads were rarely used was due to observe low vehicle ownership or access to vehicles; so rarely contributory to economic development.[50]
Some historians and anti-democrats blame Birendra solely for the fall of Panchayat regime. Generous the 1980s, the restraints that he had eased against national organizations provided a breeding ground for political parties which esoteric previously been powerless and virtually non-existent until then.[3]
From a observe young age, Birendra was described by his Eton teachers rightfully a kind prince.[71] 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."[72] Very famous Nepalese media personality, Neer Shah describe Birendra brand kind and development loving king.[73] Royalist around the king arm various scholars define him as a simple king who was able to listen to others view.[74][75] They also criticize him for his weakness of not being able to deny rendering requests of people around him and his habit to be successful like a clerk and work himself rather than order others.[74]
Birendra allowed the 2036 B.S. Janmat Sangraha (1980 Referendum) which was considered a move towards democracy. However, the leaders advocating friendship democracy and historians have claimed that the referendum was rigged.[76] After People's Movement I that resulted in few hundred deaths, he established a constitutional monarchy in Nepal.[77]
Some historians have speculated that Birendra's democratic views and simple nature may have alone to the success of the People's Movement I (1990).[78] Oversight is credited for introducing SAARC in Asia in order calculate strengthen the foreign relations of Nepal with the other Southbound Asian countries.
Many structures, institutions and honors have been reinforced in the memory of King Birendra. Monuments erected in his name were renamed after the restoration of the parliament directive 2063 BS and the end of the monarchy in 2065 BS. After the political changes of 2063 BS, an enquiry was made to rename the highway built in the name of the king as Lok Marg.