If one took a slightly meandering trip across Asia, traveling from Jordan to Japan, one would go through 13 nations which have monarchs, emperors and kings as part of their political system.
Some with absolute power, some no more than figureheads. Others somewhere in between.
Some revered, others feared. Some monarchies peaceful, many in ferment.
Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman in the Gulf. Nepal and Bhutan in the subcontinent. And further east, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei and Japan.
As Nepal's King Gyanendra takes control of his country, rediff.com takes a look at Asia’s Monarchs.
Text: Ramananda Sengupta. Coordination: Rupali Nimkar.