Kingdom of Imerina
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Radama I
Ambohimanga, Kingdom of Imerina
Archival Overview
First monarch of the unified Kingdom of Madagascar (1810–1828) acclaimed as 'Radama the Great', who modernized the Malagasy army with European firearms, outlawed the transatlantic slave trade, and established the Latin alphabet for the Malagasy language.
Biographical Record
Radama I (c. 1793–1828) succeeded his father Andrianampoinimerina with the sacred mission to fulfill the royal motto: 'My kingdom shall have no boundary but the sea.' Signing the 1817 treaty with British Governor Sir Robert Farquhar of Mauritius, Radama agreed to abolish the export of slaves in exchange for British military instructors, cannons, and uniforms.
Radama transformed his army into a disciplined force that brought two-thirds of Madagascar under unified Merina rule. Partnering with the London Missionary Society in 1820, Radama established public schools across the island, commissioning David Jones to transcribe the Malagasy language into the Latin alphabet, making literacy explode across the population.
Key Life Milestones
The Anglo-Malagasy Anti-Slavery Treaty
Outlawed the exportation of slaves from Madagascar in exchange for British recognition and modernization aid.
Establishment of the Malagasy Latin Alphabet
Adopted the Latin script for Malagasy, launching universal education and the first Malagasy printing press.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialAntananarivo, Madagascar