Born at Narayanhiti Palace, Kathmandu
Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah
Deceasedत्रिभुवन वीर विक्रम शाह
Also known as King Tribhuvan, Father of the Nation
King of Nepal who ended over a century of Rana family rule in the 1951 revolution
About
Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah rose to Nepal’s throne at age five. He spent most of his reign as a ceremonial figurehead, under the hereditary Rana Prime Ministers. In November 1950, he took refuge in the Indian embassy in Kathmandu. He fled into exile, as the Ranas briefly installed his grandson, Gyanendra, as a puppet king, a king in name only, controlled by others.
He allied with the Nepali Congress and returned in early 1951, under the Delhi Agreement. This ended more than a century of Rana family rule. It restored governing power to the monarchy. Nepal remembers this turning point as the 1951 revolution. It earned Tribhuvan lasting recognition as the “Father of the Nation.”
Quick facts
- Born
- 1906-06-30
- Birthplace
- Narayanhiti Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Profession
- Monarch
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 1955-03-13
Previous roles
King of Nepal
Kingdom of Nepal · 1911-12-12–1955-03-13
Career & life timeline
- 1906
- 1911
Ascended the throne at age five upon his father's death, with his mother as regent
- 1950-11
Took refuge in the Indian embassy and fled to India as the Ranas installed his grandson Gyanendra as king
- 1951-02
Returned to Nepal and was restored to the throne, ending Rana rule under the Delhi Agreement
- 1955
Died in Zurich, Switzerland at age 48
Achievements
Ended over a century of Rana family rule
1951Allied with the Nepali Congress in the 1951 revolution, restoring monarchical power
Organizations & affiliations
- Shah dynasty
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06