Dipendra of Nepal

Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (27 June 1971 – 3 June 2001) was the thirteenth King of Nepal. He reigned from 1 to 3 June 2001^[1] whilst in a coma following an incident in which he fatally shot his father (the reigning king) and other family members.

Education

King Dipendra received his early education at Budhanilkantha School, Kathmandu. Later, he attended the Eton College in England. After Eton, he attended the Tribhuvan University in Nepal and later joined the Military Academy, Kharipati, Nepal. He studied Geography at Tribhuvan University for his master's degree and was a PhD student in the same University. He had military training from Academy of Royal Nepalese Gurkha Army, and piloting training from civil aviation Department.

Interests

He was interested in the fields of social service and had a keen enthusiasm for sports. He used to show presence in various national and international sports ceremonies where the Nepalese players participated. He was the patron of the National Sports Council and Nepal's Scouts. He had an active contribution in the devastating earthquakes of 1988 and 1993. He also had an interest in literary works. His articles were published in the periodicals frequently. His writing were on the motif of nation, nationality, life and world. Dipendra also became a keen karateka by the time studying in England and had received black belt around age of twenty. He was captain of British karate team.

Motive for murder

Official reports state that Dipendra massacred his own family members including both his parents because of anger over a marriage dispute.^[2] Dipendra's choice of bride was Devyani Rana, daughter of Pashupati Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, a member of the Rana clan. According to the official account, Dipendra was denied his choice of a wife by his mother Queen Aishwarya, 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 3 June, after a three-day reign, and was succeeded by Prince Gyanendra.^[3]

Honours

Prince Dipendra in Military attire.

National Honours

• Sovereign of the Order of Nepal Pratap Bhaskara
• Sovereign of the Order of Ojaswi Rajanya
• Sovereign of the Order of Nepal Taradisha
• Sovereign of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta
• Sovereign of the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu
• Most Glorious Mahendra Chain
• King Birendra Investiture Medal (24/02/1975)
• Commemorative Silver Jubilee Medal of King Birendra (31/01/1997)

Foreign Honours

•  Denmark : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog (17/10/1989)^[4]
•  Germany : Knight Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1997)^[4]
•  Japan : Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (12/04/2001)^[4]

Ancestry

See also

• List of shortest reigning monarchs of all time
• History of Nepal
• Regicide, patricide and fratricide

References

External links

• Murder and intrigue in Katmandu (World Tibet News Network)
• Trapped in tradition (Frontline:India's National Magazine)