Radama I

Radama I (rädä'mə), c.1793-1828, founder of the kingdom of Madagascar. He succeeded (1810) his father, Andrianimpoinimerina, as king of Merina, a small kingdom on the central plateau of the island. With British aid, he trained his army along European lines and brought (1817-24) most of Madagascar under his rule. He encouraged Western learning and Christianity. His widow, Queen Ranavalona I, succeeded him. He is often called Radama the Great.