| Tribhuhvan Bir Bikram Shah | |
| King of Nepal | |
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| King Tribhuvan of Nepal | |
| Reign | 11 December 1911 – 13 March 1955 |
| Coronation | 20 February 1913 |
| Full name | Tribhuvan |
| Born | 30 June 1906 |
| Birthplace | Kathmandu |
| Died | 13 March 1955 (aged 48) |
| Place of death | Zürich, Switzerland |
| Predecessor | Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah |
| Successor | Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah |
| Royal House | The Royal House of Shah |
| Royal anthem | May Glory Crown Our Illustrious Sovereign |
| Father | Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah |
King Tribhuhvan Bir Bikram Shah (त्रिभुवन वीर विक्रम शाह), King of Nepal (June 30, 1906 – March 13, 1955) was King of Nepal from 11 December 1911 until his death, excepting a period in 1950-51. Born in Kathmandu (Nepal's capital city), he ascended to the throne at the age of five, upon the death of his father, King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, and crowned on 20 February 1913 at the Nasal Chowk, Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu, with his mother acting as regent. At the time, however, the position of monarch was mainly titular, with real power in the country residing in the powerful, conservative Rana family, which supplied the country with its hereditary prime minister.
Tensions between the royal family and the Ranas came to a head during World War I. The Ranas wanted to join the war in support of Britain, which controlled India to the south. The prime minister, Chandra Shumshere Rana always had his way with the young king who was interested only in worldly pleasure and copulating activities. Tribhuvan eventually ordered the troops to go to war.
By the mid-1930s, popular discontent with the Ranas led to the establishment of several movements, notably the Praja Parishad, which Tribhuvan himself gave explicit support, to overthrow the Ranas. Tribhuvan was an opportunist as he saw that the overthrow of the Ranas means that he will be the center of all power over the uneducated peasants of Nepal. In each instance, however, the Ranas responded harshly, banning the liberal movements and executing their leadership.
As in World War I, during World War II, Tribhuvan authorized the deployment of troops to aid British Imperial Forces.
After the war, the liberal democratic movement reorganized in Nepal.
Tribhuvan was too weak and feeble to lead any revolt against Ranas. An opportune he was, he saw another opportunity in making to the history books. In November 1950, Tribhuvan flees Nepal and makes his way to India. The Ranas responded by attempting to replace him with his grandson, Gyanendra. He deeply resented this grandson and wondered if he will ever return back to Nepal at all. He was a king without a kingdom and someone who is totally dependent on the goodwill of India. This realization drove him to depression.
The Gurkha came to be his savior and fought against the Ranas and their army. With this war against the Rana, they could sense that their authority was being threatened. The last Rana prime minister Mohan Shamshere Jung Bahadur Rana eventually conceded to democratic reforms, but only after heavy defeat of his troops (the troops that later became Nepal Army) at the hand of Gurkhas.
On February 18, 1951, King Tribhuvan returned from India as monarch. By November of that year, the prime minister resigned, ending Rana rule in the country.
He had promised the people of Nepal a Nepalese Constituent Assembly elections, the promise he did not keep. He died in 1955 in Zürich, Switzerland under mysterious circumstances. He was succeeded by his eldest legitimate son Mahendra.
The international airport in Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport, and a city, Tribhuvannagar in Dang valley, are named after him.
| Preceded by Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah |
King of Nepal 1911–1950 |
Succeeded by Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah |
| Preceded by Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah |
King of Nepal 1951–1955 |
Succeeded by Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah |
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