Dipendra of Nepal
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| Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev | |
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| Reign | 1 June 2001 – 4 June 2001 |
| Predecessor | Birendra |
| Successor | Gyanendra |
| Father | Birendra of Nepal |
| Mother | Aiswarya |
| Born | 27 June 1971 Kathmandu |
| Died | 4 June 2001 (aged 29) Kathmandu, Nepal |
Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (27 June 1971 – 4 June 2001) was a member of the Nepalese Royal Family, who briefly reigned in a coma as King of Nepal from the 1 to 4 June 2001. The official report submitted by the investigation team formed by the local government tells that, as the Crown Prince, he killed his family at a royal dinner on 1 June 2001, including his father King Birendra. The report also states that Dipendra was also mortally wounded by a self-inflicted gunshot to the side of the head. However, few really believe what was put forward to the general public. The Nepalese believe that the massacre was the result of a conspiracy rather than the Crown Prince murdering his entire family.[1] He officially became king for three days as he lingered in a coma before dying.
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Education [edit]
Dipendra received his early education at Budhanilkantha School, Kathmandu. He also studied at Eton College in England. After Eton, he attended Tribhuvan University in Nepal and later joined the Military Academy, Kharipati. He studied for his master's degree in Geography at Tribhuvan University and was a PhD student in the same University.
Motive for murder [edit]
Official reports state that Dipendra assassinated family members because of anger over a marriage dispute.[1] Dipendra's choice of a bride was Devyani Rana, daughter of Pashupati SJB Rana a member of the Rana clan, against whom the Shah family of kings have a historic animosity. In recent times, though, Shah kings and princes have married almost exclusively members of the Rana family. The Rana clan had served as the hereditary prime ministers of Nepal until 1951 under the title 'Maharaja', and the two clans have a long history of inter-marriages.
Dipendra's uncle, Prince Gyanendra, is often accused of arranging the murder of all the competitors to the throne. He quickly issued an official statement claiming that the massacre had been the result of an automatic weapon accidentally misfiring. Gyanendra then appointed 2 men to investigate the massacre. According to this official account, Dipendra was denied his choice of a wife by his mother Aiswarya, and so he massacred his family in a much-publicised incident after indulging in a drinking binge. Among the dead were his father King Birendra, mother, brother, and sister. Dipendra survived comatose for three days, and was proclaimed King in his hospital bed. He died of his injuries on 4 June, after a three-day reign, and was succeeded by Prince Gyanendra.[2]
See also [edit]
- Super Star (2002 Indian film) which was loosely based on the love story of Dipendra and Devyani Rana, and the Nepalese royal massacre.
- List of shortest reigning monarchs of all time
- History of Nepal
- Regicide, patricide and fratricide
References [edit]
- ^ a b "Nepal’s royal massacre still a mystery 10 years on | Inquirer News". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ BBC News South Asia.
External links [edit]
- Murder and intrigue in Katmandu (World Tibet News Network)
- Nepal: Murder in Palace, Maoists in Mountains (RWOR)
- Trapped in tradition (Frontline:India's National Magazine)
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Dipendra of Nepal
Born: 27 June 1971 Died: 4 June 2001 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Birendra |
King of Nepal 1 June 2001 – 4 June 2001 |
Succeeded by Gyanendra |
| Nepalese royalty | ||
| Preceded by Birendra |
Crown Prince of Nepal 1971–2001 |
Vacant
Title next held by
Paras |
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