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The Nepalese Royal Massacre

In the middle of the Nepalese Armed Conflict, several members of the Nepalese royal family were killed at the Narayanhity Royal Palace in Kathmandu. While these killings were unrelated to the armed conflict, it was a turning point. After the Nepalese Royal Massacre conflict events increased drastically.

What happened?

The exact events surrounding the massacre are cloaked in speculation, rumor, and controversy. However, a majority of the family members were killed in the backyard behind the palace in June 2001. This included King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, their children, the king’s older brother, and various other members of the royal family.

Why is it controversial?

According to reports, the Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal, the son of the king and queen, killed his family because his parents refused to support his engagement.

However, many Nepalese people believe King Gyanendra (the man who succeed King Birendra and also King Birendra’s younger brother) was behind the attack. After King Gyanendra took power he ordered the building where the killings took place to be destroyed. This action was carried out swiftly and left no opportunity for an external investigation. Others speculate the massacre was carried out by Israel or the United States.

I went to visit the Narayanhity Royal Palace last Monday to see the site of the royal massace. In order to get to the backyard I had to walk through the entire palace. Once I exited the palace, I was directed toward the backyard, which is separated from the palace by a blacktop driveway. When I got to the backyard there was a large map with the location of each killing so as to guide visitors throughout the area.

The only building that was destroyed was the one where Queen Aishwarya was killed. This building was stripped to its foundation. I could barely see the outline of the brick foundation hidden by the overgrown grass. The structure of the building where King Birendra was killed was left standing although there were weeds growing inside because the walls had been torn down. There were also signs that pointed to the “bullet marks” on another building to show visitors the location of stray bullets.

I passed the bridge where Crown Prince Dipendra was found bleeding on the night of June 1st. It was said that he was found unconconscious after attempting to committe suicide and died days later without ever regaining consciousness. Although during this time, because of the rules of succession, Crown Prince Dipendra became King of Nepal until his death.

As I walked though the backyard in its dilapidated state, over cracks in the sidewalks, and went past a foundation full of green water, I couldn’t help but wonder what really happened. Was this fratricide, patricide, matricide, sororcide, and regicide done by an upset Crown Prince? Was it a mass murder planned by a jealous younger brother? Was it an attack carried about by a foreign government?

I don't know. I've read multiple different accounts of that night by Western scholars, Nepalese scholars, newspaper editors, and foreign correspondents, and I don't think anyone will ever know. After speaking with several Nepalese people around the palace on Monday, they didn't know either. When I asked what they remembered most about the massacre, many just shook their heads and spoke about their shock.

We may never know what happened on June 1st, but it changed the lives of the Nepalese people.


WHAT WE KNOW THUS FAR

#1 

To our knowledge, our work will result in the first empirical study that examines how history of conflict impacts natural disaster resilience.

 

#2

8 million individuals in Nepal have been impacted by the 2015 earthquake. 

 

#3

We have succeeded in creating a new variable, partnered with the Geological Sciences Department at Texas A&M University to better estimate earthquake intensity using magnitude and distance.

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