Dipendra of Nepal

His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal (June 27, 1971 – June 4, 2001) was the reigning monarch of Nepal from June 1 to June 4 2001. Educated at England's exclusive Eton College, the intelligent and well-liked prince was thought to have a good future ahead of him, until he suddenly slaughtered his family at a royal dinner on June 1 2001. Dipendra was also fatally shot, either by his own hand or at the hands of the palace guard.

Motive for Murder

His motivation was reportedly anger over a dispute about his marriage plans. Dipendra's choice for marriage was Devyani Rana, a member of the royal family of Gwalior. Unfortunately, Devyani also was a member of the Rana clan, whose scions had served as the hereditary prime ministers of Nepal during the previous dynasty, with the title Maharaja. There was historical animosity between the Rana clan and the Shah family of kings but there was also a long history of inter-marriage between the two Kshatriya caste groups.

Related Topics:
Devyani Rana - Gwalior - Rana - Maharaja - Kshatriya - Caste

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According to official accounts, Dipendra was denied his choice of marriage by his mother, and so he massacred his family in a much-publicised incident. Among the dead were his father (His Majesty King Birendra), mother, brother, and sister. After the event, he survived comatose for three days, and was proclaimed king in his hospital bed. He died of his injuries on June 4 2001 and was succeeded by his uncle, HRH Prince Gyanendra.

Related Topics:
Massacre - His Majesty King Birendra - King - June 4 - 2001 - Gyanendra

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Gyanendra (not as beloved in the country as his brother, Birendra) had been third in line to the throne before the massacre. He was out of town (in Pokhara) during the massacre and was the closest surviving relative of the king. Gyanendra's son, Crown Prince Paras, was reportedly in the royal palace during the massacre but escaped injury. Paras is unpopular in Nepal because of a prior history of debauchery, including at least one incident of vehicular homicide for which he was never prosecuted.

Related Topics:
Pokhara - Paras

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Conspiracy theories circulate in Nepal that suggest the official account of the massacre may differ from the actual events.

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