This note fills the period between the Panchayat system and the People’s Movement 2062/63. Questions usually ask for dates, leaders and “first” events.
1. People’s Movement 2046 (Jana Andolan I)
- Started on 2046 Falgun 7 (18 February 1990), the same day as Democracy Day.
- Led jointly by the Nepali Congress (supreme leader Ganesh Man Singh) and the United Left Front.
- Ended on 2046 Chaitra 26 when King Birendra lifted the ban on political parties and the Panchayat system ended.
- An interim government was formed under Krishna Prasad Bhattarai.
2. Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047
- Promulgated on 2047 Kartik 23 (9 November 1990).
- Established multiparty parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy.
- Sovereignty was declared to lie with the people; fundamental rights were guaranteed.
- Parliament had two houses: Pratinidhi Sabha (House of Representatives) and Rastriya Sabha (National Assembly).
3. Elections and governments
| Year (BS) | Event |
|---|---|
| 2048 | First general election under the new constitution; Nepali Congress won; Girija Prasad Koirala became Prime Minister |
| 2051 | Mid-term election; Man Mohan Adhikari (CPN-UML) became the first communist Prime Minister of Nepal |
| 2056 | Third general election; Nepali Congress won again |
| 2052–2061 | Frequent changes of government and political instability |
4. Maoist armed conflict (“People’s War”)
- The CPN (Maoist) began its armed struggle on 2052 Falgun 1 (13 February 1996) after submitting a 40-point demand.
- The conflict lasted about ten years and killed more than 13,000 people.
- A state of emergency was declared in 2058 and the army was mobilised.
5. Royal massacre and royal takeover
- 2058 Jestha 19 (1 June 2001): King Birendra and most of his family were killed in the Narayanhiti royal palace. Gyanendra became king.
- 2059 Asoj 18: King Gyanendra dismissed the elected Prime Minister.
- 2061 Magh 19 (1 February 2005): the king took over full executive power and declared emergency rule.
6. Towards the 2062/63 movement
- The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists signed the 12-point understanding in New Delhi on 2062 Mangsir 7 (22 November 2005).
- This led to the People’s Movement 2062/63, the restoration of the House of Representatives and, later, the end of monarchy.
The two People’s Movements compared
| Point | Movement of 2046 | Movement of 2062/63 |
|---|---|---|
| Main demand | End of the Panchayat system, multiparty democracy | End of the king’s direct rule, restoration of Parliament |
| Who led it | Nepali Congress and the United Left Front | Seven Party Alliance, with the Maoists under the 12-point understanding |
| Result | Ban on parties lifted; Constitution of 2047 | House of Representatives restored; Interim Constitution of 2063 |
How the events connect
These events are easier to remember as a chain. The 2047 constitution brought multiparty politics but kept a constitutional monarchy. Frequent changes of government and unresolved social demands formed the background to the Maoist conflict, which began in 2052. After the royal massacre of 2058 the throne passed to King Gyanendra, whose takeover in 2061 pushed the parties and the Maoists towards the same goal. Their 12-point understanding made the movement of 2062/63 possible, and the Comprehensive Peace Accord followed on 2063 Mangsir 5 (21 November 2006).
Short-answer practice
- When did the 2046 movement begin and end? It began on 2046 Falgun 7 and ended on 2046 Chaitra 26.
- When was the 2047 constitution promulgated? On 2047 Kartik 23.
- When did the Maoist armed struggle begin? On 2052 Falgun 1.
- When and where was the 12-point understanding reached? On 2062 Mangsir 7, in New Delhi.
- Which document ended the armed conflict? The Comprehensive Peace Accord of 2063 Mangsir 5.
📌 Key points to remember
- Jana Andolan I began on 2046 Falgun 7 and ended on 2046 Chaitra 26.
- Ganesh Man Singh was the supreme leader of the 2046 movement.
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal: 2047 Kartik 23.
- First election under it: 2048; PM Girija Prasad Koirala.
- First communist PM: Man Mohan Adhikari (2051).
- Maoist conflict began 2052 Falgun 1; royal massacre 2058 Jestha 19; royal takeover 2061 Magh 19.
- 12-point understanding: 2062 Mangsir 7 in New Delhi.
Test yourself: Nepal from 2046 to 2062 BS
50 questions check what you read about People’s Movement 2046 (Jana Andolan I), Maoist armed conflict (“People’s War”) and Towards the 2062/63 movement. Each attempt picks 25 at random.