Introduction: A King Who Changed Nepal’s Political Destiny
Nepal’s brief experiment with democracy came to a sudden and dramatic end in 1960, when King Mahendra staged a royal coup, dissolved the parliament, and declared absolute monarchy. In a single moment, Nepal’s multi-party democracy was crushed, and the country was thrown into an era of centralized rule under the Panchayat system.
The coup was a turning point in Nepal’s history. But why did King Mahendra do it? What led him to dismantle democracy, and how did this decision shape Nepal’s politics for decades?
This blog explores the rise of King Mahendra, his dissatisfaction with democracy, the dramatic events of the coup, the establishment of the Panchayat system, and its long-lasting impact on Nepal’s governance.
1. Who Was King Mahendra?
King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascended the throne in 1955 after the death of his father, King Tribhuvan—the very monarch who had supported Nepal’s transition to democracy. However, Mahendra was different from his father.
He was a nationalist, a visionary, and a strong believer in centralized rule. While he initially allowed democratic governance to continue, he never fully trusted the political parties that had emerged after the fall of the Rana regime.
Unlike his father, who saw democracy as a way forward, Mahendra viewed it as a threat to Nepal’s unity and stability. Over the next few years, his frustrations with the democratic system grew, and by 1960, he was ready to take matters into his own hands.
2. Why Was King Mahendra Dissatisfied with Democracy?
1. Political Instability and Corruption
After the fall of the Rana rule, Nepal’s democratic system was weak. The Nepali Congress, led by B.P. Koirala, won the first general elections in 1959. However, Mahendra saw the new government as inefficient, corrupt, and incapable of leading Nepal into a strong future.
2. Fear of Losing Royal Power
Under a democratic system, the king’s powers were limited. The new parliament and prime minister held executive control, which Mahendra found unacceptable. He believed that Nepal needed a strong ruler—not elected politicians—to guide the country.
3. Anti-India Sentiments and Nationalism
Mahendra suspected that the Nepali Congress had strong ties with India, which had recently gained independence and was influencing Nepal’s democracy. Fearing that Nepal would become too dependent on India, Mahendra wanted to establish a uniquely Nepali system of governance—one that kept him in control.
4. His Own Vision for Nepal
Mahendra wanted a strong, centralized government based on Nepali traditions rather than Western democracy. He believed political parties encouraged division and instability, and that a king-led system would keep Nepal united.
By late 1960, Mahendra had made up his mind—democracy had to go.
3. The Royal Coup – Dissolution of Parliament (1960)
On December 15, 1960, Nepal woke up to a political earthquake. King Mahendra, in a bold and unexpected move, dissolved the Parliament, dismissed the elected Prime Minister B.P. Koirala, and arrested top political leaders.
How Did It Happen?
The military was deployed overnight to seize control of Kathmandu.
B.P. Koirala and his cabinet were arrested and sent to Sundarijal prison.
Mahendra declared a state of emergency, claiming that the democratic system had failed Nepal.
Political parties were banned, and all power was transferred to the monarchy.
It was a moment of shock and disbelief. The democratic dream that had started in 1951 was now crushed under royal boots. Nepal was no longer a democracy—it was once again under absolute monarchy.
Mahendra justified the coup by saying that democracy had led to corruption, instability, and foreign influence, and that he had to take control to save Nepal’s future.
But what followed was a dramatic transformation of Nepal’s governance.
4. The Establishment of the Panchayat System (1961-1990)
After dissolving the parliament, Mahendra introduced a new political system—the Panchayat system—which remained in place for nearly 30 years.
What Was the Panchayat System?
A King-Centric System: All power was held by the king; there were no political parties.
Decentralized Governance: Nepal was divided into local councils (Panchayats) controlled by royal-appointed officials.
No Political Opposition: Democracy was banned, and all political leaders who opposed Mahendra were jailed or exiled.
Nationalism and Royal Propaganda: The Panchayat system promoted the idea that Nepal was a "Hindu Kingdom," with the king as the sole protector of Nepali culture.
This system gave Mahendra total control over Nepal’s governance, and for three decades, Nepal functioned as an absolute monarchy.
But while the Panchayat system brought some economic and infrastructural developments, it also led to political repression, lack of freedom, and growing dissatisfaction among the people.
5. How King Mahendra’s Coup Affected Nepal for Decades
King Mahendra’s royal coup in 1960 changed Nepal’s political landscape for generations. Its impact was felt even after his death in 1972 and continued into modern Nepal.
Short-Term Effects (1960s-1980s):
✅ Nepal remained under an absolute monarchy for 30 years.
✅ Political parties were banned, and opposition leaders were forced into exile.
✅ Censorship increased, and freedom of speech was heavily restricted.
✅ Nepal's international relations shifted, as the country moved away from Indian influence and grew closer to China.
Long-Term Effects (1990s-Present):
✅ The 1990 People’s Movement (Jana Andolan I) finally ended the Panchayat system, leading to the restoration of democracy.
✅ The monarchy’s role was permanently weakened, leading to its complete abolition in 2008.
✅ Political instability became a long-term issue, as Nepal struggled to recover from decades of centralized rule.
✅ The Maoist insurgency (1996-2006) was partly a response to the suppression of political voices during the Panchayat era.
King Mahendra’s coup delayed Nepal’s democratic progress by decades. While he justified his actions as a move to save the country, the consequences of his rule shaped Nepal’s political struggles for generations.
Conclusion: Was King Mahendra’s Coup a Mistake?
Even today, King Mahendra remains a controversial figure in Nepal’s history. Some admire him as a nationalist who modernized Nepal and protected its sovereignty, while others see him as the king who destroyed Nepal’s first democracy.
What is certain is that his 1960 coup reshaped Nepal’s political future, leading to decades of struggle between monarchy and democracy.
Would Nepal have been better off if democracy had been allowed to grow in 1960? Or was Mahendra right in thinking that Nepal was not ready for a multi-party system?
These questions remain debated, but one fact is clear—his actions changed Nepal forever.
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