Gyanendra was the last king of Nepal. He reigned briefly in the early 1950s, and resumed the throne in 2001. A controversial figure due to his authoritarian and occasionally repressive methods Gyanendra abdicated peacefully in 2008 after the monarchy was officially abolished.

The circumstances behind the many deaths that led up to Gyanendra's first reign as king are the matter of much debate. Many suspect that Gyandendra himself masterminded the many deaths that put him in power. An independent investigationCNN.com: Nepal massacre inquiry begins, at long last (June 8, 2001) indicated that his nephew, Dipendra, was responsible.BBC: Prince blamed for Nepal massacre (June 14, 2001) It did not, however, rule out the possibility of Gyandendra's involvement.

• Google News: Gyanendra
• VOA News: Nepal Election Seen As Referendum for Monarchy, Maoists (April 9, 2008)
  • "Because it's the Maoists who had given an ultimate challenge to monarchy. And, it is also a test for Maoists."
• Thaindian News: Nepal King Welcomes Fateful Election (April 9, 2008)
• Nepal News: King Gyanendra Urges Citizens to Exercise Democratic Right (April 9, 2008)
• BBC News: End of Nepal Monarchy—Or Trouble? (December 24, 2007)
• FOX News: Nepal's King Gyanendra to Step Down... (December 24, 2007)
• BBC News: King of Nepal Is Stoned by Crowd (February 16, 2007)