Born at Narayanhity Royal Palace, Kathmandu
Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah
Deceasedमहेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव
Also known as King Mahendra
King of Nepal who dissolved parliament in 1960 and established the party-less Panchayat system
About
King Mahendra rose to Nepal’s throne in 1955, after his father, Tribhuvan, died. At first, he presided over the country’s first democratic elections, in 1959.
In December 1960, he suspended the constitution. He dissolved the elected parliament. He imprisoned Prime Minister B.P. Koirala. He replaced multi-party democracy with the party-less Panchayat system. This system gathered governing power in the monarchy for the next three decades.
His reign also saw land reform efforts. In foreign policy, he worked to balance relations between India and China. He died of a heart attack in Bharatpur in 1972. His son, Birendra, succeeded him as king.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1920-06-11
- Birthplace
- Narayanhity Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Profession
- Monarch
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 1972-01-31
Previous roles
King of Nepal
Kingdom of Nepal · 1955-03-13–1972-01-31
Career & life timeline
- 1920
- 1955
Ascended the throne upon the death of his father, King Tribhuvan
- 1959
Nepal held its first democratic parliamentary elections under his reign
- 1960-12-15
Suspended the constitution, dissolved parliament, and imprisoned Prime Minister B.P. Koirala, imposing direct royal rule
- 1962
Promulgated a new constitution establishing the party-less Panchayat system
- 1972
Died of a heart attack in Bharatpur; succeeded by his son Birendra
Achievements
Implemented land reform providing land to landless people
Awards & honours
British Field Marshal
Organizations & affiliations
- Shah dynasty
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06