Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev

At the age of twenty he married Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi on May 8, 1940. The Royal couple was blessed with six children (3 daughters - Shanti, Sharada, and Shobha and 3 sons- Birendra, Gyanendra, Dhirendra).

After her death in 1950, the King remarried two years later on December 10, 1952. The new Queen Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi was the younger sister of the deceased queen.

He ruled the country for 17 years and died at Diyalo Bungalow in Chitwan, Bharatpur, Nepal, on 31st January 1972, due to a heart failure.

King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was born to King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Kanti Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on June 11, 1920 at Narayanhity Royal Palace in Kathmandu, Nepal.

He studied politics, economics, english language and Nepali language and culture, privately in the Palace. He was a deep admirer of Nepalese literature and composed several poems.

On the sudden death of his father, King Tribhuvan (March 13, 1955) in Zurich Canton Hospital (Switzerland), Mahendra ascended the throne. The Coronation Ceremony of King Mahendra was held on May 2, 1956.

In 1950s the discontent among Nepalese due to a weak autocratic regime of the ruling dynasty of the Ranas had caused a revolt. The revolution of November 1950 brought an end to the Rana empire that had ruled the country for 104 years, since 1846 A.D. The personal safety of the royals was critical. Subsequently, the Ranas agreed to form a coalition government under the captive King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev and they shared power equally with the Nepali Congress. However, the political situation was threatening as the government was formed by different parties who wanted to control and rule the country.

When Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascended the throne in 1955, he found the political situation of Nepal deteriorating. Subsequently, he took a stringent measure on 15 December 1960 and dissolved the elected parliament, suspended the constitution, imposed direct rule and imprisoned the ruling Prime Minister Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala and his closest government colleagues.

He introduced several reforms for improving the administration, political system and society.

In 1960 the King established the Panchayat System, using his emergency powers. It was a hierarchical system to maintain law and order and involved village, district and national councils.

To achieve efficient administration and bring rapid progress and development in the country, King Mahendra established the National Planning Council. This agency had to make recommendations to the King for the development projects in Nepal. For the convenience of administration, he divided the kingdom of Nepal into 14 Zones and 75 Districts.

He laid down the foundation of the East-West Highway (Mahendra Highway) that serves as a trade route between Nepal and its neighboring countries.

He created and introduced the New Civil Code (Muluki Ain) on 17th August 1963 to protect the rights of women, children and weaker sections of the society.

For the development of education across the country, King Mahendra established the Tribhuvan University, the Janak Education Material Centre and Teacher's Training Institute.

For the development of culture, arts and sports he created the National Sports Council, Rastriya Nachghar, Rastriya Sabhagriha and Dasarath Stadium.

He also focused on developing tourism in Nepal. Subequently, he constructed numerous, rest-houses, inns and water taps in this beautiful country.