Merina Kingdom
The Merina Kingdom, or Kingdom of Madagascar, officially the Kingdom of Imerina (Malagasy: Fanjakan'Imerina; c. 1540–1897), was a pre-colonial state off the coast of Southeast Africa that, by the 18th century, dominated most of what is now Madagascar. It spread outward from Imerina, the Central Highlands region primarily inhabited by the Merina ethnic group with a spiritual capital at Ambohimanga and a political capital 24 km (15 mi) west at Antananarivo, currently the seat of government for the modern state of Madagascar. The Merina kings and queens who ruled over greater Madagascar in the 19th century were the descendants of a long line of hereditary Merina royalty originating with Andriamanelo, who is traditionally credited with founding Imerina in 1540.
Kingdom of Imerina Fanjakan'Imerina | |||||||
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| 1540–1897 | |||||||
| Motto: "Tsy adidiko izaho samy irery, fa adidiko izaho sy ianao" (Malagasy) "It is not only my responsibility, but ours: mine and yours" | |||||||
| Anthem: Andriamanitra ô! Tahionao ny Mpanjakanay O God, bless our Queen | |||||||
Location of Madagascar in Africa | |||||||
| Capital and largest city | Antananarivo 18°55′25″S 47°31′56″E | ||||||
| Common languages | Malagasy | ||||||
| Religion | Traditional beliefs, Protestantism (from 1869) | ||||||
| Government | Semi-feudal absolute monarchy (1540–1863) Unitary semi-feudal constitutional monarchy (1863–1897) | ||||||
| Monarch | |||||||
• 1540–1575 (first) | Andriamanelo | ||||||
• 1883–1897 (last) | Ranavalona III | ||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||
• 1828–1833 (first) | Andriamihaja | ||||||
• 1896–1897 (last) | Rasanjy | ||||||
| Historical era | Pre-colonial | ||||||
• Accession of King Andriamanelo | 1540 | ||||||
| 1897 | |||||||
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| Today part of | Madagascar | ||||||
| History of Madagascar |
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In 1883, France invaded the Merina Kingdom to establish a protectorate. France invaded again in 1894 and conquered the kingdom, making it a French colony, in what became known as the Franco-Hova Wars.