Andrianampoinimerina
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Andrianampoinimerina ruled the Kingdom of Imerina on Madagascar from 1787 until his death. His reign was marked by the reunification of Imerina following 77 years of civil war, and the subsequent expa
Idealized portrait painted around 1905 by Ramanankirahina
Andrianampoinimerina's house at Ambohimanga
Andrianampoinimerina shifted his political capital from Ambohimanga back to its historic seat in Antananarivo, where he inhabited the venerable Besakana (pictured) and Mahitsielafanjaka buildings within the royal rova compound.
The historic Zoma market, said to be the largest outdoor market in the world, was established in the Analakely neighborhood of Antananarivo by Andrianampoinimerina and ran continuously until being disbanded in 1997.
Radama I
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Radama I, also known as Radama the Great, was the first Malagasy sovereign to be recognized as King of Madagascar by a European state, Great Britain. He came to power at the age of 17 following the de
Portrait by Philippe-Auguste Ramanankirahina, 1905
French language workbook of Radama I
Illustration of Radama reviewing his troops (1825)
Tomb of King Radama I (right), 1885