Gyanendra Shah is a former king of Nepal, having reigned from 1950 to 1951 and again from 2001 to 2008. He was the last monarch of the country before the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, which led to the establishment of a federal democratic republic. Gyanendra was born on July 7, 1947, and became king after the tragic assassination of his brother, King Dipendra. During his reign, Gyanendra faced significant political challenges, including a decade-long civil conflict and growing demands for democracy. His rule was marked by a controversial move to dissolve the parliament in 2002, which led to widespread protests. After the monarchy was abolished, Gyanendra became a private citizen and has since lived a relatively low-profile life.