African Kingdoms

Merina (Imernia) State of Madagascar

The first human settlers settlers probably arrived in Madagascar between AD 200 and 500 from South East Asia, before written records started on the island. This explains the range of Malagasy phenotypic features, which form a mixture of Asian (Austronesian) and African, as well as of the Arabs, Indians and Europeans who came later.

The Merina clan in the central highlands of Madagascar had lived in relative isolation from the rest of Madagascar for several centuries, but by 1824 they had conquered nearly all the various clans in Madagascar — thanks to the leadership of two shrewd kings, Andrianampoinimerina and his son, Radama I.

Personal names used before individuals ascended the throne are shown in parenthesis.

c.1675 - c.1710

Andriamasinavalona

c.1710 - c.1730

Andriantsimitoviaminiandriandrazaka

c.1730 - c.1770

Andriambelomasina

c.1770 - 1787

Andrianjafy (Andrianjafinandriamanitra)

1787 - 1810

Andrianampoinimerina (Ramboasalama)

United Madagascar.

1810 - 1828

Radama I the Great (Lehidama)

Son.

1824

With British supplies and support, Radama completes the Merina conquest of the Madagascan clans.

1828 - 1861

Ranavalona I the Cruel

Wife.

1828

The queen repudiates the treaties that her husband had signed with the British, and murders the king's heir and other relatives. In 1835 she prohibits Christianity and expels British missionaries. The island grows more isolated, and commerce with other nations comes to a standstill.

1861 - 1863

Radama II

Son. Created new ties with France. Killed by PM.

1863

Following his murder of the king, the prime minister and his cunning brother rule the kingdom from behind the throne for the remaining years of the Merina monarchy.

1863 - 1868

Rasoaherina (Rabodo)

Wife.

1868 - 1883

Ranavalona II

Made Anglican faith the official religion.

1883 - 1897

Ranavalona III (Razafindrahety)

1883

Using the excuse of a cancelled treaty and the loss of French property, France invades Madagascar in the First Franco-Hova War and conquers the island in the face of local resistance.

1895

Agreements in Europe mean France can attack again without any interference from Britain, and the Second Frano-Hova War ses them capture the country's highland seventeenth century capital, Antananarivo (formerly known as Tananarivo).

1896

The French Parliament votes to annexe Madagascar. The Merina monarchy comes to an end, with the royal family being sent into exile to Algeria.

1946

Madagascar becomes an Overseas Territory of France, but the following year the French suppress an armed rebellion in the east. Thousands are killed.

1960

Madagascar achieves independence as a republic on 26 June with Philibert Tsiranana as president.