18 Facts About Radama I

Radama I came to power at the age of 17 following the death of his father, King Andrianampoinimerina.

Radama I encouraged these London Missionary Society envoys to establish schools to teach tradecraft and literacy to nobles and potential military and civil service recruits.

Radama I was the son of Rambolamasoandro and King Andrianampoinimerina of Imerina, a growing kingdom in the central plateau of the island around Antananarivo.

Radama I was invited to join his father on a military expedition during his campaign to pacify the Betsileo, who had forsaken an oath sworn to Andrianampoinimerina.

Radama I was accompanied by a group of seasoned soldiers called the Tantsaha, and Andriandtsoanandria, one of his father's more experienced military advisers.

Radama I successfully negotiated the submission of several towns in Betsileo.

Radama I swore to his father that he would achieve this ambition.

In 1810, at the age of 17, Radama I succeeded his father as king of Imerina.

In 1816 Radama I was contacted by a Mauritian trader sent by British Governor Robert Townsend Farquhar of Mauritius, who was interested in increasing British influence in the region and preventing the re-establishment of French trading posts on Madagascar.

Radama I tasked the LMS missionaries to transcribe and teach the Malagasy language using the Latin alphabet.

Radama I reportedly admired Napoleon Bonaparte and drew upon European structure and tactics to modernize his army, which included French, British and Jamaican generals.

All together, Radama I united two thirds of the island under Merina rule.

Radama I died prematurely on 27 July 1828, at his residence.

Many years of military campaigning certainly took their toll, and Radama I was prone to drinking heavily; shortly before his death he displayed symptoms of advanced alcoholism as his health rapidly declined.

Radama I's death was officially declared to be the consequence of heavy intoxication.

Radama I was buried in a stone tomb on the grounds of the Rova of Antananarivo.

Radama I died without naming a clear successor, but according to local custom, the rightful heir was Rakotobe, the eldest son of Radama I's eldest sister.

Radama I died in the company of two trusted courtiers who were favorable to the succession of Rakotobe.