Birendra of Nepal

He married his second cousin Queen Aishwarya Rasjya Laxmi Devi who belonged to the Rana family on February 27, 1970 in a ceremony that is described as the most lavish nuptial ceremony.

They had three children, Prince Dipendra, Princess Shruti and Prince Niranjan who also died during the royal palace massacre.

He died on June 1, 2001 in the royal palace massacre that took place there during a dinner party where the whole royal family except a few including Prince Gyanendra, were present.

King Birendra of Nepal was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the ‘Narayanhiti Royal Palace’ on December 29, 1945. His father was King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and mother was Crown Princess Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi.

He was the eldest son of his parents and had two younger brothers, King Gyanendra and Prince Dhirendra.

He had two elder sisters, Princess Shanti and Princess Sharada and a younger sister named Princess Shobha.

H did initial schooling at the Jesuist school, ‘St. Joseph College’ in Darjeeling, India.

He became the ‘Crown Prince of Nepal’ while at school when his grandfather King Tribhuvan died on March 13, 1955.

He became the king of Nepal on January 31, 1972 after his father King Mahendra died.

When he ascended the throne absolute power was vested in him with no other form of government in place. All political parties were banned and he ruled with the help of the panchayat system which comprised of regional and local councils.

He resented the absolute power that was vested in him and maintained that his government was actually a democracy run by the people’s representatives instead of being run by a costly alternative of multiple political parties.

He travelled to India in October 1973 and also to China two months later.

He maintained the sovereignty of the country in spite of all foreign influences.