Radama I
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Radama I was a Merina king of Madagascar who reigned from 1810 to 1828. He was the son of King Andrianampoinimerina and allied himself with the British governor of Mauritius, Sir Robert Farquhar. With British support, Radama I expanded his kingdom, conquering much of the island and annexing the east coast to prevent French reoccupation. He also agreed to cooperate with Britain's efforts to end the slave trade.12
Radama I welcomed European workers and missionaries, leading to the spread of Christianity and the adoption of a Latin alphabet for the Malagasy language. His policies of westernization and modernization were reversed by his successor and wife, Ranavalona I, who expelled missionaries and persecuted Christian converts. Despite this, Radama I's reign laid the groundwork for the unification of Madagascar into a single state.12
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- Merina
…armies, commanded by his son Radama, secured control over much of the central highlands.
Read More…armies, commanded by his son Radama, secured control over much of the central highlands.
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MadagascarFormation of the kingdom (1810–61)Andrianampoinimerina’s son, Radama I (1810–28), allied himself with the British governor of the nearby island of Mauritius, Sir Robert Farquhar. In order to prevent reoccupation of the east coast by the French, Farquhar supported Radama’s annexation of the area by supplying him with weapons and advisers and…
Read MoreAndrianampoinimerina’s son, Radama I (1810–28), allied himself with the British governor of the nearby island of Mauritius, Sir Robert Farquhar. In order to prevent reoccupation of the east coast by the French, Farquhar supported Radama’s annexation of the area by supplying him with weapons and advisers and…
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