# Mahendra I of Nepal

> King of Nepal (1920-1972)

**Wikidata**: [Q313110](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313110)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahendra_of_Nepal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mahendra-i-of-nepal

## Summary
Mahendra I of Nepal served as the King of Nepal from his ascension until his death in 1972. He reigned from 1955 to 1972, preceding Birendra of Nepal and succeeding Tribhuvan I of Nepal, and was a member of the Nepalese monarchy.

## Biography
- **Born:** [Date not provided]
- **Nationality:** Nepal
- **Education:** Harvard University
- **Known for:** Reign as King of Nepal (1955-1972)
- **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Nepal (Monarchy - )
- **Field(s):** Monarch, Politician

## Contributions
Mahendra I's primary contribution was his role as the constitutional monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal for 17 years (1955-1972). His reign followed the period established by his father, Tribhuvan I, and preceded that of his son, Birendra. No specific publications, patents, or open-source projects are mentioned in the source material.

## FAQs
- **When did Mahendra I of Nepal reign?** Mahendra I served as the King of Nepal from 1955 until his death in 1972.
- **Where was Mahendra I of Nepal educated?** He attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- **What significant orders did Mahendra I receive?** He was awarded numerous international honors including the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France), the Royal Victorian Chain (United Kingdom), the Order of Tri Shakti Patta, Order of the Star of Nepal, and Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (all Nepal), the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol (Laos), the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Pakistan), the Order of the Elephant (Denmark), the Order of Sikatuna (Philippines), the Order of Pahlavi (Iran), and the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan).
- **Which monarch preceded and succeeded Mahendra I of Nepal?** He succeeded Tribhuvan I of Nepal and was succeeded by his son, Birendra of Nepal.
- **What geographical entity is associated with Mahendra I in Nepal?** The Mahendra Highway, a road in Nepal, is named after him.

## Why They Matter
Mahendra I's reign marked a significant period in modern Nepalese history as the direct successor to Tribhuvan I within the established Nepalese monarchy. His role, spanning nearly two decades, positioned him at the head of the nation during a key era. The numerous high-level international awards he received reflect the diplomatic engagement of Nepal during his reign, positioning him within a network of global recognition. The naming of Mahendra Highway and the Eastern Development Region (established in the year of his death) underscores his lasting impact on Nepal's infrastructure and administration.

## Notable For
*   Reign as the King of Nepal from 1955 to 1972.
*   Recipient of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
*   Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain.
*   Recipient of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta, Order of the Star of Nepal, and Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (Nepali orders).
*   Recipient of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol (highest knighthood of Laos).
*   Recipient of the Nishan-e-Pakistan (highest civil award of Pakistan).
*   Recipient of the Order of the Elephant (highest order of Denmark).
*   Recipient of the Order of Sikatuna (Philippines).
*   Recipient of the Order of Pahlavi (highest order of the former Imperial State of Iran).
*   Recipient of the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan).
*   Education at Harvard University.
*   Namesake of the Mahendra Highway in Nepal.
*   Father of Birendra of Nepal.
*   Son of Tribhuvan I of Nepal.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Mahendra I was born in 1920. He pursued higher education at Harvard University, a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1636.

### Reign as Monarch
Mahendra I reigned as the King of Nepal from 1955 until his death in 1972. He succeeded his father, Tribhuvan I of Nepal, who ruled from 1906-1955. He was succeeded by his son, Birendra of Nepal. His role was that of a monarch and politician, head of the Kingdom of Nepal.

### Awards and Honors
Mahendra I received numerous prestigious orders and decorations during his lifetime, reflecting his status and international connections. These included:
- **Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour:** Fifth rank of the French Legion of Honour (country: France - ).
- **Royal Victorian Chain:** An order established in 1902 by the United Kingdom (country: United Kingdom - ).
- **Order of Tri Shakti Patta:** A Nepalese order established on November 27, 1937 (country: Nepal - ).
- **Order of the Star of Nepal:** A Nepalese order established on November 19, 1918 (country: Nepal - ).
- **Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu:** A Nepalese order established around 1896 (country: Nepal - ).
- **Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol:** The highest knighthood order of the Kingdom of Laos, established on May 1, 1909 (country: Laos - , France - , Thailand - ).
- **Nishan-e-Pakistan:** The highest civil award given by Pakistan, established on March 19, 1957 (country: Pakistan - ).
- **Order of the Elephant:** The highest order of Denmark, established in 1693 (country: Denmark - Q35).
- **Order of Sikatuna:** An award established in the Philippines on February 27, 1953 (country: Philippines - ).
- **Order of Pahlavi:** The highest order of the former Imperial State of Iran, established in 1926 (country: Iran - ).
- **Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum:** An order established in Japan on January 4, 1888 (country: Japan - Q17).

### Affiliations
Mahendra I was affiliated with Nepal, his country of citizenship and rule. His educational affiliation was with Harvard University.

### Infrastructure and Legacy
His name is associated with significant infrastructure in Nepal. The Mahendra Highway, a road in Nepal, is named after him. Furthermore, the Eastern Development Region, a former administrative region of Nepal, was established in the year of his death, 1972. He was also the father of Birendra of Nepal, the subsequent king who reigned from 1972 until 2001. He was the son of Tribhuvan I of Nepal.

## References

1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. Croatian Encyclopedia
5. Munzinger Personen
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. BBC Things
8. Catalogo of the National Library of India