Merina Kingdom of Madagascar

Merina Kingdom of Madagascar was a state in Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands (Central and Southern Africa) that lasted from 1817 to 1897 CE, about 80 years. Its people spoke Austronesian languages (Malay, Javanese, Cham, Tagalog, Malagasy, Polynesian, Maori).

Radama I, recognised by Britain as king of Madagascar in 1817, built an army and conquered most of the island. Ranavalona I persecuted Christians, Ranavalona II converted, and France abolished the monarchy in 1897.

See Merina Kingdom of Madagascar on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

1817 to 1897 CE

Duration

80 years

Type

State

Region

Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands, Central and Southern Africa

Language family

Austronesian

Capital

Antananarivo

Came from

• Kingdom of Imerina c. 1540 to 1817 CE

Became

• French Madagascar 1896 to 1960 CE

Events in Central and Southern Africa during its time

• 1836 The Great Trek begins
• 1879 Battle of Isandlwana
• 1885 Berlin Conference ends
• 1886 Witwatersrand gold rush
• 1896 Rinderpest sweeps southern Africa

Neighbours in Central and Southern Africa

• Kingdom of Kongo c. 1390 to 1914 CE
• Zulu Kingdom 1816 to 1897 CE
• Congo Free State 1885 to 1908 CE
• Kingdom of Buganda c. 1300 to 1966 CE
• Bunyoro-Kitara c. 1400 to 1899 CE
• Portuguese Mozambique 1505 to 1975 CE
• Portuguese Angola 1575 to 1975 CE
• Luba Empire c. 1585 to 1889 CE
• Kingdom of Imerina c. 1540 to 1817 CE
• Lunda Empire c. 1665 to 1887 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East
• Portuguese Empire 1415 to 1999 CE, Europe
• Mughal Empire 1526 to 1857 CE, South Asia
• New Spain 1521 to 1821 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Viceroyalty of Peru 1542 to 1824 CE, South America
• Qing dynasty 1636 to 1912 CE, East Asia
• United States 1776 CE to the present, North America
• United Kingdom 1801 CE to the present, Europe

Questions