Andrianjafy did not accept this decree, instead preferring that his own son succeed him, and sought retribution against citizens of Avaradrano who acknowledged the latent authority of his nephew.
20 Facts About Andrianjafy
1.
2.
Andrianjafy fled to Ilafy, where he rallied an army and tried unsuccessfully to recapture the throne.
3.
Andrianjafy was put to death in 1787 by followers of Andrianampoinimerina.
4.
Andrianjafy was a son of King Andriambelomasina of Imerina Avaradrano and his first wife, Rasoherimananitany.
5.
In 1770 Andrianjafy succeeded upon the death of his father, who was one of many victims of a major famine in Imerina.
6.
Oral histories recount that Andrianjafy felt his authority was threatened by his nephew Ramboasalama, who frequently made promises to the populace regarding his future reign.
7.
Andrianjafy's jealousy prompted him to put to death citizens of his territory who engaged his nephew in such promises.
8.
Andrianjafy occasionally displayed his power in despotic fashion, such as by engaging the armies of a Sakalava prince to attack Hiaramy and Faliary, two communities already under his control, and massacring the inhabitants without provocation.
9.
Andrianjafy failed to consistently apply the law in his realm, particularly in regard to the punishment of criminals.
10.
Andrianjafy is said to have frequently seized the property and valuables of his people for his own use without justification or compensation.
11.
Andrianjafy persuaded Andrianjafy to disregard his father's decree and name their own son Ralaitokana as successor in place of Ramboasalama.
12.
Andrianjafy agreed to this proposal and devised a series of ruses to kill his nephew and clear the path to the throne for his son.
13.
In one instance, Andrianjafy invited his nephew to listen to music from a nearby cliff, intending to push him over the edge; Andriantsimitovizainitrimo, Andrianjafy's brother, warned his nephew of the plot, and Ramboasalama declined the invitation on the pretext of illness.
14.
Andrianjafy became bolder and decided to send a group of assassins to Ramboasalama's residence in Ambohimanga; confident of his plan, he showed the funeral goods he had prepared for Ramboasalama to his brother, and then departed his stronghold at Ambohimanga for a circumcision ceremony to be held at Ilafy.
15.
The elder then gathered the twelve most respected men of Ambohimanga and thirty soldiers, and rallied them to enforce the decree of Andriambelomasina by overthrowing Andrianjafy and swearing allegiance to Ramboasalama, who took the throne name Andrianampoinimerina.
16.
The support of the Tsimahafotsy, inhabitants of Ambohimanga, ensured the defense of the city against efforts by Andrianjafy to reclaim his capital and his authority.
17.
Enraged, Andrianjafy took revenge against his brother Andriantsimitovizainitrimo, whom he murdered by pulling him from his bed, which was raised in the traditional style over fifteen feet above the ground.
18.
Andrianjafy rallied the people of his home village of Ilafy to fight against those of Ambohimanga.
19.
Andrianjafy realized too late that the porters had taken him deep into Andrianampoinimerina's territory; they bound him with rope and brought him to his nephew.
20.
Andrianjafy is said to have died either by strangling or by being placed head-first in a vat of rice.