The Maoist insurgencyमाओवादी जनयुद्ध
A ten-year 'People's War' that remade the state
The CPN (Maoist) launched its insurgency on 13 February 1996. A decade of war killed at least 13,000 people, displaced over 100,000, and intersected with the 2001 royal massacre and King Gyanendra's seizures of power — until Jana Andolan II and the Comprehensive Peace Accord of 21 November 2006 ended both the war and, soon, the monarchy itself.
War begins
13 February 1996
Royal massacre
1 June 2001 — King Birendra & 8 royals killed
Royal takeover
1 February 2005
Jana Andolan II
6–24 April 2006
Comprehensive Peace Accord
21 November 2006
Deaths
≥13,000 documented (some counts ≈17,000); ~1,300 missing
What happened
After its 40-point demand went unanswered, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) under Pushpa Kamal Dahal ('Prachanda') attacked police posts in six districts on 13 February 1996. The 'People's War' spread from the mid-western hills until the Maoists controlled or contested most rural districts. At least 13,000 people were killed over the decade (OHCHR's documented figure; some compilations reach 17,000) and about 1,300 disappeared.
On 1 June 2001 the conflict's backdrop turned surreal: Crown Prince Dipendra shot dead nine royals including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya before turning the gun on himself; comatose, he was king for three days. His uncle Gyanendra took the throne — and steadily took power, dismissing the elected government in October 2002 and seizing direct rule with a state of emergency on 1 February 2005.
The royal coup united the parliamentary parties and the Maoists against the palace (the 12-point understanding, November 2005). In April 2006, nineteen days of nationwide protest — Jana Andolan II — forced Gyanendra to restore parliament on 24 April 2006. On 21 November 2006 PM Girija Prasad Koirala and Prachanda signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord, formally ending the war and bringing the Maoists into an interim legislature.
Key events, 1996–2006
The events of this era from the full political timeline — filter by thread.
13 Feb 1996War & conflict
Maoist 'People's War' begins
CPN (Maoist) attacks police posts in six districts; a decade of civil war follows, killing ≥13,000.
1 Jun 2001Monarchy
Royal massacre
Crown Prince Dipendra kills King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and seven other royals, then himself; Gyanendra becomes king.
1 Feb 2005Monarchy
Gyanendra's coup
The king seizes direct power and declares emergency; parties and Maoists begin to align against the palace.
24 Apr 2006People's movements
Jana Andolan II restores parliament
Nineteen days of protest force the king to back down; on 21 Nov the Comprehensive Peace Accord ends the war.
Key figures
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ('Prachanda')
Maoist supremo; later thrice prime minister
King Gyanendra
Took absolute power 2005; forced to yield in 2006; Nepal's last king
Girija Prasad Koirala
Signed the CPA; steered the peace process
The Maoist insurgency: frequently asked questions
When did the The Maoist insurgency era in Nepal begin and end?+
The The Maoist insurgency era in Nepal ran from 1996 to 2006 (1996–2006).
What defined the The Maoist insurgency period?+
A ten-year 'People's War' that remade the state. The CPN (Maoist) launched its insurgency on 13 February 1996. A decade of war killed at least 13,000 people, displaced over 100,000, and intersected with the 2001 royal massacre and King Gyanendra's seizures of power — until Jana Andolan II and the Comprehensive Peace Accord of 21 November 2006 ended both the war and, soon, the monarchy itself.
What are the key dates of the The Maoist insurgency era?+
Key milestones include — War begins: 13 February 1996; Royal massacre: 1 June 2001 — King Birendra & 8 royals killed; Royal takeover: 1 February 2005; Jana Andolan II: 6–24 April 2006; Comprehensive Peace Accord: 21 November 2006; Deaths: ≥13,000 documented (some counts ≈17,000); ~1,300 missing.
What was a key event of the The Maoist insurgency era?+
Maoist 'People's War' begins (13 Feb 1996): CPN (Maoist) attacks police posts in six districts; a decade of civil war follows, killing ≥13,000.
Sources & data note
Dates and figures for The Maoist insurgency (1996–2006) as documented by the listed sources. Bikram Sambat equivalents are given where customary.