Kathmandu, Aug 18 (IANS) Nepal’s Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, who assumed office Monday as the first Prime Minister of the federal democratic republic, was born in a farmer’s family in central Nepal 54 years ago. He lived 25 years underground hunted by security forces and carrying a bounty on his head — Monday began a new chapter in the life of the revolutionary who fought a 10-year “People’s War” to overthrow Nepal’s dynasty of god-kings and transform the Hindu kingdom into a secular republic.

Following are some highlights in Prachanda’s march to the office of Nepal’s prime minister:

Dec 11, 1954: Prachanda born to farmer couple Mukti Ram Dahal and Bhawani in a paddy field in Kaski in central Nepal

1994: Prachanda breaks away from the communist movement to form the revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

13 Feb, 1996: Maoists begin an armed struggle to end Nepal’s powerful monarchy and establish a communist republic. The People’s war continues for 10 years and kills over 13,000 people

June 2001: King Birendra, who was trying to establish contact with the Maoists, dies in a brutal palace massacre. He is succeeded by his brother Gyanendra

Feb 2005: King Gyanendra seizes absolute power with the help of the army and intensifies military operations against the rebels. Nepal goes through the worst period of violence

Sept 2005: Maoists announce a ceasefire but the king ignores the gesture

Nov 2005: The opposition parties sidelined by the king are united with the Maoists by India to provide a united opposition to the royal regime

April 2006: The king’s government falls after 19 days’ continuous street protests. Girija Prasad Koirala, opposition leader, becomes PM and Maoists call a ceasefire again

Nov 2006: Maoists and the Koirala government sign a peace pact that promises to hold an election to decide the king’s fate

Dec 2007: Under pressure from Maoists, parliament abolishes monarchy on the condition that it would be implemented after the election

April 2008: Nepal holds its first constituent assembly election after two false starts. The Maoists emerge as the largest party

May 2008: The assembly overwhelmingly votes to scrap monarchy

June 2008: Gyanendra leaves the palace which becomes a national museum

Aug 15, 2008: Prachanda wins the prime ministerial election

Aug 18, 2008: Prachanda sworn in as prime minister