Royal Palace Massacre (2001)

Description

The Royal Palace Massacre occurred on June 1, 2001 (Jestha 19, 2058 BS) at Narayanhiti Royal Palace, resulting in the tragic deaths of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and eight other royal family members.

Key Events

The Incident: Crown Prince Dipendra was officially named as the perpetrator who shot the family members during a royal gathering before shooting himself.
Casualties: King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti, and other close relatives were killed.
Aftermath: Crown Prince Dipendra was declared King while in a coma but died three days later. King Gyanendra (Birendra's brother) then ascended the throne.
Consequences: The tragedy severely weakened public reverence and credibility for the monarchy, accelerating its eventual downfall in 2008.

Period

Democracy

Year (BS)

2058

Year (AD)

2001

CMAT Significance

A pivotal event that severely eroded public faith in the monarchy, paving the way for the establishment of a republic.