Buddhist stupas A stupa is a sacred shrine built to a stylized structure that symbolizes Buddhist beliefs. Pilgrims perform a ritual clockwise walk around the stupa while spinning the prayer wheels that are set at its base. Two major centuries-old stupas in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal are those at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. These dramatic and colorful structures with their attendant devotees have an undeniable spiritual energy. Boudhanath Stupa near Kathmandu is one of the largest in the world and is a confusion of color and spiritual activity.

Nepal is a country of stark geographical and cultural diversity, and the birthplace of Buddha. The historic center of Nepal lies in the Kathmandu Valley where two of the world's great religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, intermingle in extraordinary old temples and shrines

Gyanendra of Nepal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Gyanendra King of Nepal King of Nepal Reign 7 November 1950 – 8 January 1951 Predecessor Tribhuvan Successor Tribhuvan King of Nepal Reign 4 June 2001 – 28 May 2008 Predecessor Dipendra Successor Monarchy abolished Consort Queen Komal of Nepal Issue Paras, Crown Prince of NepalPrincess Prerana Full name Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev DetailTitles and styles HM The King of NepalHRH Prince Gyanendra of Nepal Dynasty Shah dynasty Father Mahendra of Nepal Mother Crown Princess Indra Born 7 July 1947 (1947-07-07) (age 61)Kathmandu, Nepal Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Nepali: ज्ञानेन्द्र वीर बिक्रम शाह; Jñānendra Vīra Bikrama Śāh) (born 7 July 1947) is the former King of Nepal. He is the only king in Nepal who is throned as a king in his life twice. He reigned as "King Gyanendra" from his accession in 2001 until the dissolution of the monarchy in 2008, when he became a private citizen and was stripped of his royal titles and status. His reign is considered to have been a disaster for the monarchist cause in Nepal; in particular, his decision to impose direct rule resulted in the Maoist insurgency and the moderate, democratic political parties to unite in opposition to his absolute rule, an alliance which under any other circumstances would have been extraordinarily unlikely. He succeeded to the throne upon the death of his nephew Dipendra, who was King for only three days while in a coma, following the massacre of the preceding king (Gyanendra's brother, Birendra) and other members of the royal family. In February 2005 King Gyanendra took complete control of the government, dismissing the elected parliament. Following opposition to his direct rule he was forced to return power to parliament in April 2006, which in turn reduced the king's status to that of a ceremonial monarch. He continued as such until 28 May 2008 when he was peacefully deposed and Nepal became a federal republic. Contents[hide] 1 Early life and first reign 2 Succession 3 Early reign 4 End of direct rule 5 Being stoned at the temple 6 Boycotting the king's birthday 7 Transition to republic 8 Abolition of the monarchy 9 Walking away from the palace 10 Autobiography 11 First public appearance after ousting 12 Dashain Tika 13 Increasing popularity ratings 14 Titles and honours 15 Notes 16 External links // [edit] Early life and first reign Gyanendra was born in Kathmandu as the second son of Crown Prince Mahendra and his wife Crown Princess Indra. After his birth, his father was told by a court astrologer not to look at his newborn son because it would bring him bad luck, so Gyanendra was sent to live with his grandmother.[1] In November 1950, during a political plot, both his father and his grandfather King Tribhuvan along with other royals fled to India, leaving the young Gyanendra as the only male member of the Royal Family in Nepal. He was brought back to the capital Kathmandu by the Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who had him declared king on 7 November 1950. Small Gyanendra was not only crowned but even coins were issued in his name. The Rana PM used to provide three hundred thousand rupee annual budget as a expenditure of the king. [1] After opposition to the hereditary rule of the Rana Prime Ministers from India, a deal was reached in January 1951, and his grandfather King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal and resumed the throne.[2] The actions of Rana regime to depose his grandfather and place him on the throne was not internationally recognized.[3] He studied with his elder brother King Birendra in St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling, India; in 1969, he graduated from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.[4] King Gyanendra served as chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Coronation of his brother Birendra in 1975. He is also a keen conservationist and served as Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation from 1982 until his ascension of the throne in 2001.[5] Gyanendra married Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on 1 May 1970 in Kathmandu; they have two children Paras, Crown Prince of Nepal (born 30 December 1971) Princess Prerana of Nepal (born 20 February 1978). [edit] Succession Main article: Nepalese royal massacre The events surrounding the Royal Massacre on 1 June 2001 have proved very controversial in the country. Some still believe that King Gyanendra is the mastermind behind the royal massacre, because all other royal family members were killed during the incident whilst Gyanendra's immediate family members were spared.[6] This theory is held among some sections of the population[who?], mainly due to the fact that Gyanendra succeeded the massacred royals to the throne. A two-man investigation team appointed by Gyanendra, and made up of Keshav Prasad Upadhaya, then Supreme Court Chief Justice, and Taranath Ranabhat, then speaker of the House of Representatives, carried out a week-long investigation.[7] After interviewing more than 100 people — including eyewitnesses, palace officials, guards, and staff — they found that Dipendra had carried out the massacre, but did not draw any further conclusions.[8] As his nephew lay in a coma, Gyanendra was named regent; but following Dipendra's death on 4 June 2001, Gyanendra ascended the throne.[9] Recently, a Nepali writer, Ashutosh Shrivastav, alleged that Indian and Nepali political parties were complicit in this crime [1], as part of an Indian expansionist policy towards Nepal that the author alleges exists[2]. [edit] Early reign Nepalese Royal Family HM The KingHM The Queen HRH The Crown PrinceHRH The Crown Princess HRH Princess Purnika HRH Prince Hridayendra HRH Princess Kritika HRH Princess Prerana HM The Queen Mother HRH Princess Shova HRH Princess Puja HRH Princess Dilasha HRH Princess Sitashma HRH Princess Jotshana v • d • e During his early years on the throne, Gyanendra sought to exercise full control over the government because of the failure of all parties. In May 2002 he supported the popularly elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba when he dismissed the parliament elected in 1999. In October 2002 he dismissed Deuba and consolidated his power for the first time. During the years 2002 to 2005 he chose and subsequently dismissed three prime ministers, finally dismissing Deuba for the second time and taking over as absolute ruler on 1 February 2005.[4] His brother King Birendra had negotiated a constitutional monarchy during his rule in a delicate manner in which he, as King, played a minor role in government, so King Gyanendra's confrontational approach with the established political parties was met with widespread censure. When King Gyanendra took complete control for the second time on 1 February 2005, he accused prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's government of failing to make arrangements for parliamentary elections and of being unable to restore peace in the country, then in the midst of a civil war led by Maoist insurgents.[10] King Gyanendra promised that "peace and effective democracy" would be restored within three years,[11] but the period of direct rule was accompanied by repression of dissent.[12] International organizations expressed grave concerns about the safety of journalists, following the king's decision to restrict civil liberties, including freedom of the press, the constitutional protection against censorship and the right against preventive detention[13] Gyanendra countered, saying that "democracy and progress contradict one another" as a necessary step in restoring peace to the country. In April 2006 the constitutionalists staged protests and strikes in Kathmandu against King Gyanendra's direct rule. The royal government responded by declaring a curfew, which was enforced with live firearms and tear gas. The government's response drew condemnation from other countries including India and the United States. On 21 April 2006 King Gyanendra announced that he would yield executive authority to a new prime minister chosen by the political parties to oversee the return of democracy. Several party leaders rejected the offer and again demanded that the king call a council to determine the monarchy's future role in politics. On 24 April 2006 King Gyanendra reinstated the previous parliament in a televised address to the nation. [edit] End of direct rule On 10 June 2006, the parliament scrapped the major powers of the king, including his right to veto laws. This ended the idea of a "King in Parliament," and he was reduced to a figurehead, though for a time he continued to offer felicitations and to receive diplomats. According to Article 167 of the constitution, all executive powers as well as those enjoyed by the king in the previous Constitution are now vested in the prime minister. All powers of the 239-year-old monarchy were stripped, making King Gyanendra a civilian king under the interim constitution. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who previously supported the continuation of the monarchy, said in March, 2007 that he thought the king should step down.[14] In June, Koirala repeated his call for King Gyanendra to abdicate in favour of his grandson Prince Hridayendra.[15] On 23 August 2007 Nepal's transitional government nationalised all the properties King Gyanendra inherited from his brother including the Narayanhity Royal Palace. The move did not affect the properties he owned before his ascension to throne.[16] [edit] Being stoned at the temple On the occasion of the Maha shivaratri, the king was there at the Pashupatinath temple for worshipping lord Shiva. The cars escorting the car of Gyanendra were stoned by unknown persons at the temple area. After having worshipped, the king returned back from the western gate on foot. While he was about to enter into his car, some stone were thrown at the king at the temple from the northern part of the religious area. After the car proceeded, more of the stone were thrown at the car of the king which was driven by the king himself. The thrown stone got into the cars escorting the king’s car and the car of the king as well. After the incident, hundreds of armed forces creating a circular chain of security led the king’s car forward to Gaushala. While the king was entering the temple, the people protested against monarchy and the king. Because of the protest and traffic obstruction, the king returned almost forty five minutes late to the palace. The security personnel tried to clear out the mass protesting against the king and monarchy with foul language. The situation worsened after the same mass protested while the king was about to return to the palace. To control the agitating mass, Nepal army and armed police force as well as the Nepal police was allocated in a huge number. In the darkness, the king was being stoned from the north region. The queue of people waiting for worshipping became impatient as the king took a long time inside the temple and supported the protestors protesting against the king. The home minister of the then government said that the incident which happened was very sad and that there is no reason to stone the king who has a purpose of worshipping and nothing more than that. He also said that the incident wouldn’t occur again and also stated that the deed was of those who want no peace and stability in the country. This was the first time in the history of Nepal that a king was being stoned at. King Gyanendra who was ‘unpopular’ among the people faced such an incident during such a long history of the Shah dynasty. [edit] Boycotting the king's birthday The 60th birthday of king Gyanendra was boycotted by the government officials including the ambassadors for Nepal who were invited for the king’s birthday. The royal palace requested security forces for the birthday party but the government refused the proposal stating that there were enough security arrangements made already and no need of extra forces. On the other hand, the palace insisted that the security situation in the country had worsened and so the party needed more security. About eight hundred people were invited but only about hundred and fifteen people were present at the party. According to one of the royal members only few ministers of the Panchayat regime, royal members, about ten Major generals who were to get retirement in the near future and some former army officials were present in the party of the king. Former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Marichman Singh and the ministers during Gyanendra’s regime were present during the occasion. The ambassadors of the member countries of the European Union weren’t present at the party of the royal palace according to their former decision. The Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the parliament, ministers and other high ranking officials weren’t present at the night party organized at the royal palace. The prime minister, the government officials including the foreign ambassadors had already decided not to participate at the king’s party. The invitation was given to all in the name of queen Komal. The army chief, Rukmangat Katuwal also remained absent at the function but at the earlier birthday of the king, the army chief was present. The royal activists according to their scheduled plan performed a rally marking the ‘spacious’ occasion of the king’s birthday. The student organization of the seven party alliance and the Maoist activists released a press statement that they would obstruct the gathering of the royal activists. There was a clash between the group of the students and the royal activists in which few persons were injured. The government of Nepal in the earlier birthday of the king, decided not to participate at the king’s birthday but send a written felicitations of well wishes and congratulations to him. King Gyanendra appealed everyone to work for peace and democracy in the country on the occasion of his 60th birthday known as ‘Hirak Janmahotsav’. He made this appeal to those who came to wish him for his birthday at the royal palace. The third day of the birthday party was organized by Prince Paras Shah. The party members of Rastriya Prajatantra party were present during the feast. The king refused speaking to media persons at the party. According to some people present at the party, people meeting the king asked him to save the country and preserve its integrity and nationality. [edit] Transition to republic King Gyanendra, in an interview[17] with foreign reporters, expressed dissatisfaction over the decision made by the Interim Parliament to abolish monarchy after the April 10 Constituent Assembly elections. The interview was published in Japan's leading newspaper Daily Yomiuri. Speaking to a selected group of Japanese correspondents at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on February 4, King Gyanendra said, "(The decision) doesn't reflect the majority view of the people. This isn't democracy." He, however, conceded that the people do have the right to choose the fate of monarchy. The king also said the law and order situation of the country was deteriorating, questioning the Interim Government's ability to govern the country even after he had accepted the roadmap of the seven-party alliance. Citing the recent survey which showed 49 percent of respondents favored the continuation of the monarchy in some form, King Gyanendra claimed, "A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. Let us hope." Gyanendra had broke his closely guarded silence in an interview with a Nepali pro-monarchist weekly paper in which he said he remained silent to "let the peace process succeed." The King said, "Nepalese people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic." He claimed that his attempt on 1 February, 2005 was for a good purpose of restoring peace and stability in the country. He said that his attempt wasn’t a success and so the countrymen are suffering at present. In an interview taken with the king’s ‘advisor’, Bharat Keshar Singh, he claimed that the bill passed from the parliament was a bluff. Replying to the question raised regarding the king’s silence even after the bill was passed declaring the state a republic, he said that there was nothing for which the king had to respond. He claimed that the parliament which declared a republic was reinstated by the king himself and has no authority to dethrone the same king. He claimed that the King was examining the activities of the government and the parliament and was waiting for a suitable time frame for responding them. He said that no people would accept the ‘bill’ unless decided by a referendum or elected members in the constituent assembly. On January 15, 2007, the Interim Parliament was set up with CPN-M included, and on April, 1, 2007, the Interim Government joined by CPN-M was formed. On December 28, 2007, the Nepali Interim Parliament approved a bill for the amendment to the Interim Constitution promulgated on January 15, 2007, with clause reading Nepal will turn into a federal democratic republic, which is to be implemented by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly. [edit] Abolition of the monarchy It was announced on 24 December 2007, that the monarchy would probably be abolished in 2008, following the approval, as part of a peace deal with former Maoist rebels, of the Nepalese Parliament in favor of a bill that would see the constitution amended so as to make Nepal a republic.[18][19] On 27 May 2008, the meeting decided to give the king fifteen days to vacate the palace, and decided that the first meeting would be held the next day at 11AM (but was delayed due to the indecision among the leading parties on power-sharing and the nomination of 26 members of the Constituent Assembly) which was widely believed to abolish the monarchy. [20] On 28 May 2008, the monarchy was officially abolished and replaced with a secular federal republic by an overwhelming vote (560-4) of the Constituent Assembly.[21] Gyanendra accepted the decision in the following days.[22] As he was required to depart Narayahiti, he asked the government to make arrangements for his residence on 1 June, and on 4 June the government decided to give another palace, the Nagarjuna Palace, to Gyanendra.[23] Gyanendra departed the Narayanhiti palace in Kathmandu on 11 June 2008 moving into the Nagarjuna Palace. His new residence consists of 10 buildings including the royal residence Hemanta Bas, 3 guest houses (Barsha Bas, Sharad Bas and Grishma Bas), one office secretariat and one staff quarters. Gyanendra and his family moved into the 2-storey Hemanta Bas. Following his departure the Narayanhiti palace was turned into a museum, while Gyanendra's diamond and ruby-encrusted crown and royal scepter along with all the other crown jewels and royal assets, became government property. The Royal family's departure from the palace was reported as being a “major symbolic moment in the fall of the Shah dynasty, which unified Nepal in the 1760s.”[24][25] [edit] Walking away from the palace The king organized a press conference in the Kaski Hall of the royal palace before he departed. After finishing his twenty minutes long speech, the king thanked all media personnel for attending the conference. During his speech, the king rejected the accusation made against him for the royal massacre, and denied that he had accumulated illegal money during his regime. He also denied other charges, such as that he transferred the riches of his brother Birendra, Dhirendra, and other members of the royal family into his own name. He clarified that there was no changes in the monetary status of the royal member during his period, neither increased nor decreased. He said that his intimacy towards a sovereign Nepal will remain despite his constitutional position or status. He said that he would leave Nepal and wanted to devote more in the process of making a new Nepal. He stated that he wanted to contribute to the peace process staying in Nepal itself. He said that the parliament was reinstated for the cost of peace and democracy in Nepal. He stated that he played a role in implementing the verdict of the government putting ahead the people’s mandate and wish. The king controlled his emotions during the departure but Queen Komal was unable to control her emotions during the departure time. The queen had asked the king to request the government for the Trishul Sadan or any other palace besides the main palace but King Gyanendra refused it. But according to the king’s request the government of Nepal provided a place for his mother Ratna, and his grandmother Sarala Shah inside the Narayanhiti Palace itself. King Gyanendra also demanded Nagarjuna palace as a proposal for the creative ending of the monarchy. The protesters protested against the monarchy while the car of the King departed from the gate of the royal palace. While the other groups were shouting in favor of the king and monarchy asking the king not to leave the palace. [edit] Autobiography Gyanendra has reportedly started writing his autobiography. Leading a low-key life in virtual exile, his autobiography in English is to have five segments. It starts with his turbulent childhood, when he was crowned king as a toddler and his life was in jeopardy after his grandfather Tribhuvan and father Mahendra fled to India seeking asylum, taking his elder brother Birendra with them but abandoning him. The momentous incident is believed to have affected the boy profoundly, triggering a latent desire for power and two years ago, moving him to stage a coup. When he quit the Narayanhity royal palace on June 11th, the deposed king referred to the childhood crowning, saying fate had taken a hand in making him king. The other parts of the autobiography deal with his experience of working as the chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, a role that was taken away after his regime fell, his days on the throne as the unexpected king of Nepal after Birendra and his entire family perished in a midnight massacre in the palace, the fall of monarchy and conclusion. [edit] First public appearance after ousting In his first public appearance since the declaration of Republic, former King Gyanendra visited a shrine of a Hindu religious sect in Bhaktapur on 2 October 2008[citation needed]. Speaking briefly to journalists after visiting Shyama Shyam Dhama in Thimi, Bhaktapur, the ex-King said he wanted peace in the country. He also wished for a peaceful festival (Dashain) for Nepali people."Let there be peace and every Nepali must be able to live in peace and prosperity," the cheerful former monarch said. He, however, dodged political questions[citation needed]. He stayed there for nearly an hour when he met Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the leader of the Hindu sect. It was not known what transpired during the meeting, but the ex-King is known to have gone there to receive blessings from the Indian god-man[citation needed]. He had left Nargarjuna 'palace', his new home in the middle of a forest in the northwestern suburb of Kathmandu, at 11am, without security escort[citation needed]. Gyanendra has lived a reclusive life ever since he moved to Nagarjuna palace on June 11 after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic on May 28 2008 [edit] Dashain Tika The former king offered 'Tika' on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, one of the most important festival of the Nepalese people. The arrangements was made by the secretariat of the former king. In the past, as the head of the state, the king used to offer 'Tika' and 'jamara' to the people during the dashain festival. President Ram Baran Yadav was doing the same at his residence at Shital Niwas. [edit] Increasing popularity ratings In a poll conducted on October 2008 Gyanendra's rock-bottom popularity ratings were reported to be slowly increasing. [edit] Titles and honours Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange (The Netherlands), 1967 Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Thailand), 1979 Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (France), 1983 Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (United Kingdom), 1986 Grand Cross of Order of Isabel la Católica (Spain), 1987 His Holy Majesty, King of the Lands of the Nepalese People and Knight of the Holy and Most Majestic Order of the Rose of Jordan (2001-2008) [edit] Notes ^ a b Chowdhuri, Satyabrata Rai (2001-07-27). "Monarchy in Nepal". The Hindu. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/27/stories/05272524.htm. Retrieved on 25 December 2007. ^ "Homeward Bound". Time Magazine. 1951-01-22. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,888899,00.html. Retrieved on 25 December 2007. ^ Buyers, Christopher. "Nepal". Royal Ark. http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Nepal/nepal13.htm. Retrieved on 2007-12-25. ^ a b Staff writer (2006-04-20). "Troubled times saw king's rise". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/04/19/nepal.king.gyanendra/index.html. ^ "Royal Biography of Nepal". MeroNepal.com.np. http://meronepal-com-np.f2g.net/atglance/royalbiography.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-25. ^ Nepal's Royal Massacre in Its Sixth Year ^ Nepal massacre inquiry begins, at long last ^ Prince blamed for Nepal massacre ^ Nepal mourns slain king ^ Staff writer (2005-02-01). "Nepal's king declares emergency". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4224855.stm. ^ Staff writer (2005-02-01). "Nepal's king sacks government". CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/02/01/nepal.govt/. ^ Staff writer (2005-02-03). "Nepal's king acts against dissent". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4233729.stm. ^ "State of Emergency Imperils Information Flow". International Freedom of Expression eXchange. http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/64189/. Retrieved on 2006-11-27. ^ Nepal's king is made to cut staff ^ King urged to let boy, 5, be Nepal’s saviour ^ Nepal nationalises royal palaces ^ "Nepal king, facing ouster, urges people to vote " ^ "Nepalese monarchy to be abolished". BBC. 2007-12-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7158670.stm. Retrieved on 2007-12-25. ^ Vote to abolish Nepal's monarchy ^ Telegraph Nepal : Nepal King allowed 15 days to vacate ^ "Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic", Nepalnews, May 28, 2008. ^ "Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti", Nepalnews, June 2, 2008. ^ "Govt decides to give Nagarjuna palace to ex-King", Nepalnews, June 4, 2008. ^ BBC NEWS, Former Nepal king to leave palace ^ thaindian.com, Former King Gyanendra prepares to leave Narayanhiti Palace [edit] External links Unofficial translation of the commission report on the palace incident "Profile: Nepal's King Gyanendra". BBC News. 28 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4225171.stm. King of Nepal is stoned by crowd. BBC 16 February 2007 archived biography at archive.org Gyanendra of Nepal House of ShahBorn: 07 July 1947 Regnal titles Preceded byTribhuvan King of Nepal1950 – 1951 Succeeded byTribhuvan Preceded byDipendra King of Nepal2001 – 2008 Monarchy abolished; Republic of Nepal declared Political offices Preceded byDipendra Head of State of Nepal2001 – 2007 Succeeded byGirija Prasad Koirala Titles in pretence Loss of title — TITULAR —King of Nepal2008 – present IncumbentDesignated heir:Paras

Nepal Information Almanac: NepalUp-to-date information on: Government, Economy, Population & Culture Encyclopedia: NepalIn-depth entries covering: Economy, Government, History, Land & People

History The first civilizations in Nepal, which flourished around the 6th century B.C., were confined to the fertile Kathmandu Valley where the present-day capital of the same name is located. It was in this region that Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born c. 563 B.C. Gautama achieved enlightenment as Buddha and spawned Buddhist belief. Nepali rulers' early patronage of Buddhism largely gave way to Hinduism, reflecting the increased influence of India, around the 12th century. Though the successive dynasties of the Gopalas, the Kiratis, and the Licchavis expanded their rule, it was not until the reign of the Malla kings from 1200–1769 that Nepal assumed the approximate dimensions of the modern state. The kingdom of Nepal was unified in 1768 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who had fled India following the Moghul conquests of the subcontinent. Under Shah and his successors Nepal's borders expanded as far west as Kashmir and as far east as Sikkim (now part of India). A commercial treaty was signed with Britain in 1792 and again in 1816 after more than a year of hostilities with the British East India Company. In 1923, Britain recognized the absolute independence of Nepal. Between 1846 and 1951, the country was ruled by the Rana family, which always held the office of prime minister. In 1951, however, the king took over all power and proclaimed a constitutional monarchy. Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah became king in 1955. After Mahendra died of a heart attack in 1972, Prince Birendra, at 26, succeeded to the throne. In 1990, a pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties. The first free election in three decades provided a victory for the liberal Nepali Congress Party in 1991, although the Communists made a strong showing. A small but growing Maoist guerrilla movement, seeking to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and install a Communist government, began operating in the countryside in 1996. On June 1, 2001, King Birendra was shot and killed by his son, Crown Prince Dipendra. Angered by his family's disapproval of his choice of a bride, he also killed his mother and several other members of the royal family before shooting himself. Prince Gyanendra, the younger brother of King Birendra, was then crowned king. King Gyanendra dismissed the government in October 2002, calling it corrupt and ineffective. He declared a state of emergency in November and ordered the army to crack down on the Maoist guerrillas. The rebels intensified their campaign, and the government responded with equal intensity, killing hundreds of Maoists, the largest toll since the insurgency began in 1996. In Aug. 2003, the Maoist rebels withdrew from peace talks with the government and ended a cease-fire that had been signed in Jan. 2003. The following August, the rebels blockaded Kathmandu for a week, cutting off shipments of food and fuel to the capital. King Gyanendra fired the entire government in Feb. 2005 and assumed direct power. Many of the country's politicians were placed under house arrest, and severe restriction on civil liberties were instituted. In Sept. 2005, the Maoist rebels declared a unilateral cease-fire, which ended in Jan. 2006. In April, massive pro-democracy protests organized by seven opposition parties and supported by the Maoists took place. They rejected King Gyanendra's offer to hand over executive power to a prime minister, saying he failed to address their main demands: the restoration of parliament and a referendum to redraft the constitution. Days later, as pressure mounted and the protests intensified, King Gyanendra agreed to reinstate parliament. The new parliament quickly moved to diminish the king's powers and selected Girija Prasad Koirala as prime minister. In May, it voted unanimously to declare Nepal a secular nation and strip the king of his authority over the military. The Maoist rebels and the government signed a landmark peace agreement in November 2006, ending the guerrilla’s 10-year insurgency that claimed some 12,000 people. In March 2007, the Maoists achieved another milestone when they joined the interim government. Just months later, in September 2007, however, the Maoists quit the interim government, claiming that not enough progress had been made in abolishing the monarchy and forming a republic. They agreed to rejoin the interim government in December, when Parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and become a federal democratic republic. In April 2008, millions of voters turned out to elect a 601-seat Constituent Assembly that will write a new constitution. The Maoist rebels, who recently signed a peace agreement with the government that ended the guerrilla’s 10-year insurgency, won 120 out of 240 directly elected seats. In May, the assembly voted to dissolve the 239-year-old monarchy, thus completing the transition to a republic. King Gyanendra vacated Narayanhiti Palace in June and began life as a commoner. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala resigned in June, after two years in office. In July, the Maoists said they would not participate in the government when their candidate for president, Ramraja Prasad Singh, was defeated. Other parties in the Constituent Assembly united to elect Ram Baran Yadav as the country's first president. The move seemed to jeopardize the peace process. A Maoist was elected prime minister in August, however. The Constituent Assembly voted 464 to 113 in favor of Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, over Sher Bahadur Deuba, a member of the Nepali Congress Party who served as prime minister three times. In a compromise, the Maoists say they will not hold posts in the party’s armed faction and will return private property it seized from opponents. See also Encyclopedia: Nepal U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: NepalCentral Bureau of Statistics http://www.cbs.gov.np/ . Information Please® Database, © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Nauru Countries Netherlands Cite Print Email //') //]]> HotWords Bookmark Add bookmark Add to del.icio.us Digg It! Add to Reddit More on Nepal from Infoplease: Nepal - Nepal Nepal , independent nation (2005 est. pop. 27,677,000), c.54,000 sq mi (139,860 sq km), ... Nepal - Nepal Profile: People, History, Government and Political Conditions, Economy, Defense, Foreign Relations, U.S.-Nepal Relations Nepal: meaning and definitions - Nepal: Definition and Pronunciation Nepal - Map of Nepal & articles on flags, geography, history, statistics, disasters current events, and international relations. Nepal: Bibliography - Bibliography See D. R. Regni, Medieval Nepal (4 vol., 1965–66); N. B. Thapa and D. P. Thapa, ... Premium Partner Content Related content from HighBeam Research on: Nepal Salt in the wound. (relations between Nepal and India) (Asia) (The Economist (US)) The parable of the yam. (India and Nepal) (The Economist (US)) Church and mission relationship in Nepal - forty years behind.(International Review of Mission) (International Review of Mission) Availability and acceptability of medical abortion in Nepal: health care providers' perspectives. (Reproductive Health Matters) Tea-time on the roof of the world. (Nepal's tea estates) (Tea & Coffee Trade Journal) Rivers, Technology and Society: Learning the Lessons of Water Management in Nepal (Internationales Asien Forum. International Quarterly for Asian Studies) Nepal improving but still bears watching (The Quill) Water and politics. (relations between Nepal and India) (The Economist (US)) Urban Space and the Mediation of Political Action in Nepal: Local Television, Ritual Processions and Political Violence as Technologies of Enchantment (The Australian Journal of Anthropology) Hands across the water: India and Nepal. (possible hydro-electric joint venture) (The Economist (US)) Search HighBeam Research for: Additional search results provided by HighBeam Research, LLC. © Copyright 2005. All rights

Dear Valued Clients:~The Kingdom of Nepal is a narrow sliver of land squeezed between burgeoning India to the south and the vast Tibetan plateau to the north. She rises from plain to plain, valley to valley, mountain to mountain - a precipitous staircase that ends at the roof of the world, the Abode of Snows. Eight of the world's 10 highest summits, including Mt. Everest, lie within her borders. At their base 50 ethnic groups work, play and worship, commonly celebrating 30 different festivals annually. The tiny nation is a living, cultural museum. For her size and population, Nepal is the least roaded country in the world. To see her, you must travel as her people do ~ on foot. We specialize in taking visitors trekking to remote areas of the country, giving them the chance to observe local people living their lives the way they have for centuries. We travel with care and respect, incorporating ecological and cultural conservation practices. Our company is guided by the conviction that it is possible to honor the beliefs, dignity and environment of our countrymen, while exchanging ideas and information on the outside world. Since its inception in 1984, Above the Clouds ~ Nepal has introduced thousands of people around the world to the spectacular high peaks of the Himalayas, from Nepal to Tibet to Bhutan. While most are drawn by the mountains, their lasting memories are of the extraordinary people who inhabit them. We invite you to join us, and create your own memories of this special come world. Few areas capture peoples' hearts and imagination like the Himalayas. For a free brochure with lots of information and colorful photos, please inquire here. Presented by the Visit Nepal Network - www.visitnepal.comCopyright 2002- All Rights Reserved

population in nepal

Nepal Population‎ - more info » Nepal‎ This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, ... 1 of 264 placemarks in CIA The World Factbook Population Data‎ - bbs.keyhole.com Pokhara‎ - more info » Nepal‎ population: 216034 division: Nepal reference: World Gazetteer ... 1 of 1000 placemarks in World Gazetteer: Asia‎ - world-gazetteer.com Kathmandu‎ - more info » Nepal‎ Nepal; Population: 26 Million In all Nepal. the four-storey Agam House at Pashupatinath caught fire on the night of Saturday, June 25, 2005, and continued ... 1 of 27 placemarks in Pacific Rim‎ - By: s-cgutierrez‎ - maps.google.com Kathmandu Nepal‎ - more info » Nepal‎ The population of Kathmandu, Nepal is 822930. What makes Kathmandu unique is that it is know as the City of Temples. The name comes from the Buddhist and

gupha

GUPHA is for girls only, not boys. Boys have BRATABANDHA.and mongolian(matwali)gurung,kirat,tamang.magar boys meaning mongolian have chewar GUPHA means 'cave'. The prepubescent girl is placed in a room away from sunlight for 12 days. She is prepared for a 'marriage' with the SUN-god... -Gyami

Nepali National Languages

Language Percentage of Speakers Nepali 47.8% Maithili 12.1% Bhojpuri 7.4% Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8% Tamang 5.1% Nepal Bhasa 3.5% Magar 3.3% Awadhi 2.4% Other 10% Unspecified 2.5%

ethnic groups in nepal

Ethnic Groups Ethnic Percentage in Population Brahman-Hill 12.5% Magar 7% Tharu 6.6% Tamang 5.5% Newar 5.4% Kami 3.9% Yadav 3.9% Other 32.

about nepal

Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल [neˈpaːl] (help·info)) is a landlocked nation in South Asia. It is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by India. Kathmandu, the nation's capital, is its largest city. Nepal has been a monarchy throughout most of its history. Prithvi Narayan Shah, a nobleman, unified the many small kingdoms in the Himalayan valley in 1768. Since then, the country has been ruled by a dynasty of kings, until a civil war between monarchist forces and the Communist Party of Nepal led to the abdication of King Gyanendra and the establishment of a federal democratic republic in 2008. [3] Nepal is a country of highly diverse geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north contains eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. Although Hinduism is practiced by a majority of the population, the nation also has a strong Buddhist tradition, as the birthplace of Siddharta Gautama.