महाराज
महेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव
शासनकाल ११ जून १९२० – ३ जनवरी १९७२
महाराजाधिराज महेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव नेपालका नवौं शाह राजा हुनुहुन्थ्यो, जसले सन् १९५५ देखि १९७२ सम्म शासन गर्नुभयो। लोकतान्त्रिक नेपालको उत्तराधिकार पाउने पहिलो शाह राजा भएकाले, जसले हालसालै विश्वसामु आफ्ना ढोका खोलेको थियो, महाराजाधिराजले विदेशी शक्तिसँग कूटनीतिक सम्बन्ध स्थापित गर्न र नेपाललाई एक स्वतन्त्र, सार्वभौम राष्ट्रको रूपमा स्थापित गर्न कुनै समय खेर फाल्नुभएन।
नेपाललाई अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय मञ्चमा स्थापित गर्न महेन्द्रले निभाएको भूमिका अद्वितीय छ। उहाँले नेपाललाई एक स्वतन्त्र राष्ट्रको रूपमा स्थापित गर्न संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघ (UN) को सदस्यता प्राप्त गर्ने कार्यको सुरुवात गर्नुभयो।
खोसेको रोटीले मेरो पेट भरिन्न
मागेको धोतिले मेरो लाज छोपिन्न
धसिएर हातपाउ झरि जाउन औँला
तर कोही अगाडि यो हात जोडिन्न
He successfully enlisted Nepal as a member of the United Nations, further securing Nepal against external control.
HM King Mahendra and Queen Indra during a foreign state visit.
EARLY LIFE
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah was the first born son of His Majesty King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Kanti Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah. He was born on 11 June 1920 at the Narayanhiti Palace. He has six younger siblings, HRH Prince Himalaya Bir Bikram Shah, HRH Princess Trilokya Rajya Lakshmi Shah, HRH Princess Vijaya Rajya Lakshmi Shah, HRH Princess Bharati Rajya Lakshmi Shah, HRH Prince Basundhara Bir Bikram Shah and HRH Princess Nalini Rajya Lakshmi Shah.
Like his father and siblings, HRH Prince Mahendra did not receive a formal education. He was privately educated inside the palace and learned politics, economics and Nepali literature, history and culture.
Like his father and siblings, HRH Prince Mahendra did not receive a formal education. He was privately educated inside the palace and learned politics, economics and Nepali literature, history and culture.
FAMILY LIFE
On 8 May 1940, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mahendra married Miss Indra Rajya Lakshmi Rana, daughter of General Hari Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana. Together they had three sons, HRH Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, HRH Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah and HRH Prince Dhirendra Bir Bikram Shah, and three daughters, HRH Princess Shanti Rajya Lakshmi Shah, HRH Princess Sharada Rajya Lakshmi Shah and HRH Princess Shobha Rajya Lakshmi Shah.
On 4 September 1950, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah died due to a complication following the birth of their sixth child, HRH Prince Dhirendra. Following her death, the kingdom’s first maternity hospital, the Prasuti Griha, was built in the grounds of Charburja Durbar in her memory.
After the death of the Crown Princess, HRH Crown Prince Mahendra married Her Late Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra’s younger sister and his sister-in-law, Miss Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Rana. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah chose not to bear any children of her own as a mark of respect to her late sister.
On 4 September 1950, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah died due to a complication following the birth of their sixth child, HRH Prince Dhirendra. Following her death, the kingdom’s first maternity hospital, the Prasuti Griha, was built in the grounds of Charburja Durbar in her memory.
After the death of the Crown Princess, HRH Crown Prince Mahendra married Her Late Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra’s younger sister and his sister-in-law, Miss Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Rana. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah chose not to bear any children of her own as a mark of respect to her late sister.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
His Majesty King Mahendra was a sharp, courageous, and farsighted Head of State. He chose his words carefully and knew exactly what to say and when to say it. When not busy fulfilling the responsibilities of the crown, His Majesty was a passionate writer and poet. He penned many songs and poems under the name MBB Shah. Some of his most remarkable works included poems titled Lolayeka Tee, Gajalu Tee Thula Thula Aakha, Garchin Pukar Aaama, Aakashma Tirmire, Kina Kina Timro Tasbir, Ma Mare Pani Mero Desh Bachi Rahos and Rara ki Apsara. Many of his poems were later made into songs.
कस्ले सिकायो ?
भन न ए रारा
तिमिलाई
प्रत्येक छालमा
रत्न जड्न
घोलेर पिलाउन भुलाउन
अमृतका घुड्का
सासका घुडेकै पिच्छे?
“Let’s defeat anger with love, quarrel with harmony and darkness with light.”
On 13 March 1955, His Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascended to the throne as a constitutional monarch after his father’s death. His coronation took place on 2 May 1956.
As a King, His Majesty supported the multi-party democratic system in Nepal and promulgated the constitution in 1959(2015 B.S) to take the country towards a parliamentary system. However, on 15 December 1960, King Mahendra used his emergency powers and took charge of the State once again because the leading Congress government had fostered corruption, promoted party above national interest and failed to maintain law and order. His Majesty suspended the constitution, dissolved the elected parliament and the cabinet, imposing direct rule and imprisoned the then-prime minister B. P. Koirala and his closest government colleagues. Political parties were outlawed. This led to the introduction of the Panchayat system on 13 April 1961, a partyless political system of village, district and national councils.
As a King, His Majesty supported the multi-party democratic system in Nepal and promulgated the constitution in 1959(2015 B.S) to take the country towards a parliamentary system. However, on 15 December 1960, King Mahendra used his emergency powers and took charge of the State once again because the leading Congress government had fostered corruption, promoted party above national interest and failed to maintain law and order. His Majesty suspended the constitution, dissolved the elected parliament and the cabinet, imposing direct rule and imprisoned the then-prime minister B. P. Koirala and his closest government colleagues. Political parties were outlawed. This led to the introduction of the Panchayat system on 13 April 1961, a partyless political system of village, district and national councils.
Nepal with the World
The role played by His Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in establishing Nepal in the international arena is unparalleled. He initiated the task of receiving membership of the United Nations (UN) to establish Nepal as an independent nation.
On 14 December 1955, Nepal also became a member of the UN. Rishikesh Shah became the first Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN. Under his guidance and policy, Nepal was elected as a Member of the UN Security Council in 1969. Nepal was elected in the Security Council the second time again in 1988. Nepal established its image as a committed member of the UN and Nepal was well recognized by the member countries. HM King Mahendra established diplomatic relations with 45 countries to further strengthen Nepal’s position as an independent nation.
His Majesty’s reign is also seen as a golden age for Nepal in foreign relations. In addition to establishing diplomatic relations with many countries, the government was able to establish close ties with the Chinese government. Adopting the principle of Panchsheel and non-aligned foreign policy, he maintained diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, China and India. One of the historical diplomatic achievements of His Majesty is his success in the Nepal-China Boundary Treaty of 1961. The border adjustments were made on grounds of equality by performing land-swapping with Nepal gaining more land than it gave. After the treaty Nepal gained 302.75 square kilometers more land from China.
On 31 January 1972, His Majesty passed away from a heart attack. His heir to the throne was HRH Crown Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah.
On 14 December 1955, Nepal also became a member of the UN. Rishikesh Shah became the first Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN. Under his guidance and policy, Nepal was elected as a Member of the UN Security Council in 1969. Nepal was elected in the Security Council the second time again in 1988. Nepal established its image as a committed member of the UN and Nepal was well recognized by the member countries. HM King Mahendra established diplomatic relations with 45 countries to further strengthen Nepal’s position as an independent nation.
His Majesty’s reign is also seen as a golden age for Nepal in foreign relations. In addition to establishing diplomatic relations with many countries, the government was able to establish close ties with the Chinese government. Adopting the principle of Panchsheel and non-aligned foreign policy, he maintained diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, China and India. One of the historical diplomatic achievements of His Majesty is his success in the Nepal-China Boundary Treaty of 1961. The border adjustments were made on grounds of equality by performing land-swapping with Nepal gaining more land than it gave. After the treaty Nepal gained 302.75 square kilometers more land from China.
On 31 January 1972, His Majesty passed away from a heart attack. His heir to the throne was HRH Crown Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah.
His
Queens
Queens
A portrait photograph of HRH Crown Princess Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.
HRH Crown Princess Indra Rajya
Lakshmi Devi Shah
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah was born to Honorary General Hari Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana and his wife, Megha Kumari Rajya Lakshmi on 25 July 1926.
At the age of 14, on 8 May 1940, she was married to the then His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah, making her the Crown Princess of Nepal. Soon after, she gave birth to her first child, HRH Princess Shanti Rajya Lakshmi Shah, who was followed by HRH Princess Sharada Rajya Lakshmi Shah. On 28 December 1945, she gave birth to HRH Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, who was second in line to the throne after HRH Crown Prince Mahendra.
At the age of 14, on 8 May 1940, she was married to the then His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah, making her the Crown Princess of Nepal. Soon after, she gave birth to her first child, HRH Princess Shanti Rajya Lakshmi Shah, who was followed by HRH Princess Sharada Rajya Lakshmi Shah. On 28 December 1945, she gave birth to HRH Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, who was second in line to the throne after HRH Crown Prince Mahendra.
Following the birth of Prince Dhirendra, Her Royal Highness suffered with a postpartum hemorrhage which led to her untimely death at the age of 24.
HRH Prince Birendra was followed by HRH Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, HRH Princess Shova Rajya Lakshmi Shah and Prince Dhirendra Bir Bikram Shah.
Following the birth of Prince Dhirendra, Her Royal Highness suffered with a postpartum hemorrhage which led to her untimely death at the age of 24 on 4 September 1950. Her death led to the building of the kingdom’s first maternity hospital. Named after her, Paropakar Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi Prasuti Griha, popularly known as Prasuti Griha, was established on 26 September 1959. The hospital was built in the grounds of Charburja Durbar.
A painting of HRH Crown Princess Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah.
A portrait photograph of HM Queen Mother
Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah.
Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah.
HM Queen Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah
Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah was born on 19 August 1928 to Honorary General Hari Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana and mother, Megha Kumari Rajya Lakshmi. Her older sister, Her Late Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah was married to the then Crown Prince Mahendra until her demise on 4 September 1950.
Titles &
Honours
Honours
1971
Commemorative Medal of the 2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire
1971
Collar of the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Raja
1970
Collar of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
1967
Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
1964
Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II
1964
Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit
1961
Mahendra Mala Manapadvi
1961
Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain
1960
Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum
1960
Grand Cross of the Order of Saint James of the Sword
1960
Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Detroit Mercy
1956
Grand Cross of the Order of Legion of Honour
1955
Sovereign of the Order of Ojaswi Rajanya
1955
Sovereign of the Order of Nepal Pratap Bhaskara
1955
Sovereign of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta
1955
Sovereign of the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu
1936
Sovereign of the Order of Nepal Taradisha
1936
Commemorative Silver Jubilee Medal of King Tribhuvan
THE KING THROUGH
THE YEARS
THE YEARS
OFFICIAL
PORTRAITS
PORTRAITS
