KATHMANDU, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Nepal's King Gyanendra sacked the government on Tuesday for failing to restore peace or conduct elections, assuming power himself amid an escalating civil war with Maoist rebels.

The following is a chronology of the main political events in the Himalayan kingdom's modern history:

1948 - Nepal's first constitution is promulgated, then suspended in face of opposition; Prime Minister Padma Shamsher Rana resigns.

1955 - King Tribhuvan dies, succeeded by King Mahendra.

1959 - New constitution promulgated, leading to first general election; centrist Nepali Congress party wins absolute majority.

1960 - Nepali Congress leader B.P. Koirala heads first popular government; his policies are opposed by King Mahendra, who dismisses prime minister, bans political parties and takes over direct control of government.

1972 - Mahendra dies; is succeeded by his son, King Birendra.

1990 - Birendra lifts 30-year-old ban on political parties and ushers in constitutional monarchy.

May 1991 - Girija Prasad Koirala of Nepali Congress takes office as first popularly elected prime minister in 30 years.

July 1994 - Koirala quits after defeat in parliamentary vote, opening long phase of instability.

Feb 1996 - Maoist rebels launch insurgency aimed at replacing constitutional monarchy with one-party communist republic.

Jan 1999 - Birendra dissolves parliament.

June 1, 2001 - Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other royal family members are killed in shooting rampage by Crown Prince Dipendra, who then shoots himself.

June 4 - Gyanendra is crowned king.

July - Maoist rebels step up violence. Sher Bahadur Deuba becomes prime minister, heading 11th government in 11 years, after Girija Prasad Koirala resigns over violence.

July 23 - Deuba announces peace with rebels, truce begins.

Nov 21 - Maoists say talks have failed, truce is no longer justified.

Nov 23 - Gyanendra declares state of emergency, government declares Maoists "terrorist organisation".

Oct 4, 2002 - Gyanendra sacks Prime Minister Deuba and assumes executive power. Staunch royalist Lokendra Bahadur Chand is later named prime minister.

May 30, 2003 - Chand resigns after months of protests led by political parties demanding king appoint government with their nominees or revive parliament.

June 4 - Gyanendra appoints royalist Surya Bahadur Thapa as prime minister.

May 7, 2004 - Surya Bahadur Thapa quits as prime minister after weeks of protests.

June 2 - Gyanendra reappoints Deuba prime minister.

Feb 1, 2005 - Gyanendra sacks government, assumes power himself.