Radama I "the Great" (1793–1828) is the first Malagasy sovereign to be recognized as King of Madagascar (1810-1828) by a European state.
He comes to power at the age of eighteen following the death of his father, King Andrianampoinimerina.
Under Radama's rule and at his invitation, the first Europeans enter his central highland Kingdom of Imerina and its capital at Antananarivo.
Radama encourages these London Missionary Society envoys to establish schools to teach tradecraft and literacy to nobles and potential military and civil service recruits; they also introduce Christianity and teach literacy using the translated Bible.
A wide range of political and social reforms are enacted under his rule, including an end to the international slave trade, which has historically been a key source of wealth and armaments for the Merina monarchy.
Through aggressive military campaigns he successfully unites two-thirds of the island under his rule.
Abuse of alcohol weakens his health and he dies prematurely at age thirty-five.
He is succeeded by his highest-ranking wife, Ranavalona I.
