Ranavalona I, born around 1778 is often referred to as the “Mad Queen” by her European contemporaries. her reign from 1828 to 1861 was marked by resistance to foreign influence and the protection of Malagasy traditions. She ascended the throne after the death of her husband, Radama I, and implemented policies that aimed to preserve the independence of Madagascar from European colonial powers. Though her rule is remembered for its harshness, it was also crucial in maintaining the sovereignty of her kingdom.
Her ascension to power
Ranavalona was born into the Merina royal family but was not originally in line for the throne. However, through a strategic alliance with King Andrianampoinimerina, her father arranged for her marriage to his son Radama I. When Radama died in 1828 without an heir, Ranavalona, with the support of key nobles and military leaders, asserted her claim to the throne. Her ascension was not without conflict. There were other contenders, including Radama’s designated successor, but Ranavalona acted swiftly, eliminating rivals and securing her place as the ruler of the Merina Kingdom.
Once in power, Ranavalona I quickly made her mark by distancing herself from her late husband's policies, particularly his openness to European influence. She viewed Radama’s agreements with the British as a threat to Madagascar’s sovereignty and took drastic steps to reverse the foreign encroachment.
Rejection of foreign influence
One of Ranavalona’s first major decisions as queen was to end the Anglo-Merina alliance. She expelled most of the British missionaries and military advisors who had been invited during Radama I’s reign. The schools established by the London Missionary Society were closed, and foreign influences in education, religion, and politics were curtailed.
She also reversed Radama’s anti-slavery policies. The slave trade, a significant source of income for the kingdom, was reinstated, despite British opposition. Ranavalona was determined to maintain control over the island’s economy and not be dictated by foreign powers. Her rejection of British pressure to end the slave trade helped Madagascar retain its economic independence.
Isolationist policies
Ranavalona’s isolationist policies extended to all areas of her reign. She restricted foreign trade and prohibited the spread of Christianity. Many Malagasy converts to Christianity were persecuted or forced to renounce their new faith. The queen believed that these foreign religions threatened the unity and traditional beliefs of her people.
Despite these isolationist policies, Ranavalona did not entirely reject foreign technology and knowledge. She sought to adopt European innovations on her own terms. For instance, she encouraged the importation of modern weaponry and skilled laborers to strengthen her army and infrastructure, but only under strict control. French and British artisans were allowed to stay in Madagascar to teach skills such as blacksmithing and gun-making, but they were closely monitored.
A reign of terror?
Ranavalona’s rule is often described as one of terror, both by foreign and domestic sources. She employed strict methods to maintain order and suppress rebellion. The queen revived the traditional practice of tangena, a deadly poison ordeal used to determine guilt. This method, along with public executions and forced labor, led to significant deaths during her reign. Some historians estimate that as many as one-third of the population may have died from the harsh policies, though exact figures are debated.
However, it is important to consider that Ranavalona was ruling in a time of increasing European colonial expansion. Her brutal tactics were part of her strategy to maintain control over her kingdom and prevent Madagascar from falling under foreign domination, as was happening elsewhere in Africa during the 19th century.
Achievements and modernization
Despite her harsh reputation, Ranavalona made important contributions to Madagascar’s development. She continued to expand the Merina Kingdom’s control over the island, securing territories that had been loosely under Merina influence. Her reign also saw significant construction projects, including the development of new palaces and fortifications in Antananarivo, the capital.
She was also mindful of maintaining a self-sufficient economy. Madagascar produced its own goods and resisted the economic dependence on Europe that was growing in other African countries. Although her policies slowed the modernization initiated by Radama I, she ensured that Madagascar remained independent during a time of global colonial expansion.
Death and legacy
Ranavalona I ruled Madagascar for 33 years until her death in 1861. Her reign was followed by a period of political instability, as her successor, her son Radama II, reversed many of her isolationist policies and sought to re-establish connections with Europe. Radama II’s policies, however, were unpopular with conservative factions, and he was assassinated shortly after taking power.
Today, Ranavalona I remains a complex and controversial figure. To some, she is remembered as a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist and caused great suffering. To others, she is a fierce defender of Malagasy independence and culture, who protected her people from European colonization at great personal and national cost.
Sources:
- Campbell, G. (2005). An Economic History of Imperial Madagascar, 1750–1895: The Rise and Fall of an Island Empire. Cambridge University Press.
- Freeman, D. (2013). Madagascar: The Eighth Continent. Yale University Press.
- Mack, J. (1986). Madagascar: Island of the Ancestors. British Museum Publications.