Nepal began the trasition from the 14th century absolute monarchy to a 20th century multiparty democracy and constitutional moarchy in 190. Duri9ng the brief parliamentary period that followed, as many as nineteen different commnist parties appeared. Frustrated with government policies, the largest-the Communist Party of Nepal-withdrew from the political process in 1994 and then, in 1996, launched a people's War, hoping to install a Maoist government.