The Nepalese Civil War is initiated in the Kingdom of Nepal by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre).

The Nepalese Civil War: A Decade of Conflict and Transformation

The Nepalese Civil War, often referred to as the Maoist insurgency, was a protracted and devastating armed conflict that gripped the nation of Nepal from 1996 to 2006. This internal struggle pitted the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) against the then-ruling Government of Nepal, profoundly altering the country's political landscape and societal fabric.

Launched on February 13, 1996, the CPN-M's rebellion had the explicit and ambitious goal of dismantling the centuries-old Nepalese monarchy and establishing a "people's republic." This revolutionary aim resonated with segments of the rural population, who felt marginalized and oppressed by the existing feudal structures and the perceived corruption within the government.

The conflict formally concluded with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord on November 21, 2006. This landmark agreement brought an end to active hostilities and paved the way for a new era of political change, including the eventual abolition of the monarchy.

Humanitarian Impact and Atrocities

The Nepalese Civil War was characterized by severe human rights abuses and widespread atrocities committed by both sides. These included summary executions, massacres, political purges, and kidnappings. Such acts constituted grave war crimes and crimes against humanity, leaving deep scars on the nation's collective memory.

The insurgency led to the tragic loss of over 17,000 lives. This grim toll encompassed a wide spectrum of the population: innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, dedicated insurgents fighting for their cause, and courageous army and police personnel defending the state. Beyond the fatalities, the conflict triggered the internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, primarily from the rural regions of Nepal, as they fled violence and sought safety in urban centers or neighboring areas.

In the aftermath of the conflict, efforts to address these abuses began. According to commissioner Madhabi Bhatta, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has received approximately 63,000 complaints, indicating the vast scale of unresolved human rights issues. Similarly, the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappearances (CIED) has recorded around 3,000 cases, highlighting the systematic nature of disappearances during the conflict and the urgent need for justice for the victims and their families.

The Kingdom of Nepal: A Historical Overview

Before the civil war and its eventual transformation into a republic, Nepal existed for 240 years as the Kingdom of Nepal. Also known historically as the Gorkha Empire or Asal Hindustan (meaning "Real Land of the Hindus"), it was a Hindu kingdom formed in South Asia in 1768.

Founding and Early Dynastic Rule

The kingdom was founded by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha monarch who successfully unified numerous small principalities into a single state. Shah, who claimed descent from the Rajput lineage, established the Shah dynasty, which formally ruled Nepal for over two centuries. While the Shah monarchs were nominally at the helm, the degree of their actual power varied significantly throughout the kingdom's long existence, often being overshadowed by powerful aristocratic families.

Early in its history, Nepal's expansionist policies led to conflicts with its neighbors. Following the Nepali forces' invasion of Tibet and the plundering of Digarcha under Prince Regent Bahadur Shah in 1792, the Dalai Lama and Chinese Ambans appealed to the Chinese administration for military support. A joint Chinese and Tibetan force, led by General Fuk'anggan, subsequently attacked Nepal. However, after encountering difficulties at Nuwakot, both sides entered into negotiations, leading to a peace settlement.

Internal political struggles were also rampant. Mulkaji Damodar Pande, the most influential among the four Kajis (ministers), rose to power after the removal of Bahadur Shah. Later, Chief Kaji Kirtiman Singh Basnyat attempted to protect the young King Girvan Yuddha Shah and prevent the former King, Rana Bahadur Shah, from returning to Nepal. However, on March 4, 1804, Rana Bahadur Shah successfully returned, reclaiming power as Mukhtiyar (premier), and subsequently ordered the beheading of Damodar Pande in Thankot.

The Rise of Bhimsen Thapa and the Anglo-Nepalese War

A pivotal moment in Nepalese history was the 1806 Bhandarkhal massacre, which erupted following the assassination of Rana Bahadur Shah. This tragic event paved the way for the authoritative rise of Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa, who effectively became the de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. Thapa's era was marked by significant administrative and military reforms, but also by expansionist ambitions.

During the early nineteenth century, the burgeoning influence and territorial expansion of the British East India Company in India inevitably led to conflict with Nepal. The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) resulted in Nepal's defeat. The subsequent Treaty of Sugauli, signed in 1816, while preserving Nepal's internal independence, exacted significant territorial concessions. This treaty established the Mechi and Sharda rivers as the eastern and western boundaries of Nepalese territories, respectively. The vast territory Nepal controlled before this treaty is sometimes romantically referred to as "Greater Nepal."

The Rana Dynasty and the Diminishment of Monarchy

The political landscape continued to be tumultuous. The death of Mukhtiyar Mathbar Singh Thapa brought an end to the Thapa family's political dominance and set the stage for another bloody episode: the Kot Massacre of 1846. This event, a brutal power struggle, led to the ascendancy of the Rana dynasty, a lineage of Khas (Chhetri) warriors. The Kot Massacre cemented the Rana family's control, making the office of the Prime Minister of Nepal hereditary within their family for the next century, from 1843 to 1951.

Jung Bahadur Rana, the first Rana ruler, systematically reduced the Shah monarch to a mere figurehead, effectively concentrating all executive power in the hands of the Rana Prime Minister. The Rana rule, lasting for over a century, is widely characterized by tyranny, unchecked debauchery, systematic economic exploitation of the populace, and instances of religious persecution.

Restoration of Democracy and the End of Rana Rule

In July 1950, a newly independent Republic of India signed a friendship treaty with Nepal, signaling a new geopolitical dynamic. Both nations formally agreed to respect each other's sovereignty. Later that year, in November, India played a crucial role in supporting King Tribhuvan. The then-Rana leader, Mohan Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, had attempted to depose Tribhuvan and replace him with his infant grandson, who would later become King Gyanendra.

With crucial Indian backing and the support of the Nepali Congress, a political party advocating for democratic reforms, King Tribhuvan successfully ended the autocratic Rana regime in 1951, ushering in an era of multi-party democracy and direct monarchical rule.

Attempts at Reform and Renewed Instability

Despite the end of the Rana era, attempts to implement lasting democratic reforms and adopt a stable constitution proved challenging throughout the 1960s and 1970s. An economic crisis toward the end of the 1980s reignited popular discontent, leading to a significant pro-democracy movement. This movement successfully compelled the monarchy to introduce parliamentary elections and adopt a new constitution in 1990, establishing Nepal as a constitutional monarchy.

However, the 1990s also marked the ominous beginning of the Nepalese Civil War (1996-2006). This decade-long conflict further destabilized the already fragile political situation, culminating in the shocking 2001 Nepalese royal massacre, which eliminated most of the royal family and brought King Gyanendra back to the throne.

The Abolition of Monarchy and the Birth of a Republic

The 2001 Nepalese royal massacre profoundly impacted the legitimacy and stability of the monarchy. King Gyanendra, who ascended to the throne as a result of this tragedy, initially struggled to unify the nation amidst the ongoing civil war and widespread public mistrust.

His imposition of direct rule in 2005, sidelining the democratically elected government, proved to be a critical misstep. This authoritarian move provoked a widespread protest movement, unprecedented in its scale, that effectively unified the Maoist insurgency with pro-democracy activists. This alliance, driven by a common desire for greater political freedom and an end to direct monarchical rule, ultimately forced King Gyanendra to restore the House of Representatives.

In 2007, the reinstated House of Representatives adopted an interim constitution that significantly curtailed the powers of the Nepalese monarchy, effectively rendering it ceremonial. Following a landmark election held the following year, the newly formed Nepalese Constituent Assembly convened for its first session on May 28, 2008. In this historic sitting, the Assembly formally abolished the Kingdom of Nepal and declared the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Until the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, Nepal held the unique distinction of being the world's only country to have Hinduism as its state religion, deeply embedding religious identity within its national framework. However, with its transformation into a republic, Nepal officially transitioned to a secular state, ensuring religious freedom and equality for all its citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nepal's Transformation

When did the Nepalese Civil War take place?
The Nepalese Civil War, also known as the Maoist insurgency, occurred between 1996 and 2006.
Who were the main parties involved in the Nepalese Civil War?
The primary belligerents were the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) and the Government of Nepal.
What were the stated goals of the Maoist insurgents?
The CPN-M aimed to overthrow the Nepalese monarchy and establish a "people's republic."
How did the Nepalese Civil War end?
The conflict concluded with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord on November 21, 2006.
What was the human cost of the Nepalese Civil War?
Over 17,000 people were killed, and hundreds of thousands were internally displaced. The conflict was also marked by severe human rights abuses, including summary executions and enforced disappearances.
When was the Kingdom of Nepal founded?
The Kingdom of Nepal was founded in 1768 through the unification efforts of King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Which dynasties ruled Nepal during its time as a kingdom?
Nepal was primarily ruled by the Shah dynasty, but significant power was also wielded by the Rana dynasty, who made the prime minister's office hereditary for a century.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Sugauli?
Signed in 1816 after the Anglo-Nepalese War, the Treaty of Sugauli resulted in significant territorial losses for Nepal but preserved its internal independence.
When did the Rana rule end in Nepal?
The autocratic Rana rule ended in 1951, largely due to Indian support for King Tribhuvan and the Nepali Congress party.
What was the 2001 Nepalese royal massacre?
It was a tragic incident in which most of the Nepalese royal family was killed, leading to King Gyanendra's ascension to the throne.
When was the Nepalese monarchy abolished?
The Nepalese monarchy was formally abolished on May 28, 2008, by the Nepalese Constituent Assembly.
What replaced the monarchy in Nepal?
Nepal was declared the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Did Nepal have a state religion?
Yes, until the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, Nepal was the world's only country to have Hinduism as its state religion. It is now a secular state.