Rasoherina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rasoherina |
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Queen Rasoherina in about 1865
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| Queen of Madagascar | |||||
| Reign | 12 May 1863 – 1 April 1868 | ||||
| Coronation | 23 September 1862 30 August 1863 |
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| Predecessor | Radama II | ||||
| Successor | Ranavalona II | ||||
| Prime Ministers | Rainivoninahitriniony Rainilaiarivony |
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| Born | 1814 Rovan' Ambatomanoina, Fokontany of Masombahiny |
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| Died | 1 April 1868 (aged 53–54) Amboditsiry |
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| Burial | Tomb of the Queens, Rovan Antananarivo | ||||
| Spouse | Raharolahy Radama II Rainivoninahitriniony Rainilaiarivony |
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| Issue | Prince Ratahiry (adoptive) Princess Rasoaveromanana (adoptive) |
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| House | Merina | ||||
| Dynasty | Hova dynasty | ||||
| Father | Prince Andriantsalamanandriana | ||||
| Mother | Princess Rafaramanjaka | ||||
Rasoherina (born 1814 – died April 1, 1868), also known as Rasoherina-Manjaka, was the Queen of Madagascar. She ruled from 1863 to 1868. She became queen after her husband, Radama II, was believed to have been killed.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Rasoherina was born Princess Rabodozanakandriana in 1814. Her father was Prince Andriantsalamanandriana. Her mother was Princess Rafaramanjaka. She was also the niece of Queen Ranavalona I.
When she was young, she married Raharolahy. He was an important government official. He held many high positions, like working for the embassy in Great Britain. He also served as a minister for foreign affairs and the interior.
Rasoherina and Raharolahy divorced in 1847. In the same year, she married Rakoto. Rakoto was the son and heir of Queen Ranavalona I. When Rakoto became King Radama II in 1861, she was crowned as his queen.
Becoming Queen of Madagascar
Rasoherina was queen alongside her husband for only two years. King Radama II made some decisions that upset his government leaders. Because of this, a group of powerful officials planned to remove him from power. It was widely believed that Radama II was killed in 1863.
After his believed death, the government leaders invited Rabodo to become queen. They had one main condition: she had to sign a contract. This contract would create a new type of government. It would make the Prime Minister the real ruler, not the Queen.
The contract also included important changes. It ended the traditional "trial by ordeal" called tangena. It also promised to protect freedom of religion. Rabodo agreed to these terms. She was crowned Queen on May 13, 1863, and took the name Rasoherina.
Rasoherina's Reign as Queen
At the start of Rasoherina's rule, the true power was with Prime Minister Rainivoninahitriniony. He was the one who led the plan against her husband. A few weeks after she became queen, Rainivoninahitriniony married Rasoherina. This was a political marriage.
Rainivoninahitriniony managed the country's affairs. He worked to modernize Madagascar. He wanted to have good relationships with European countries. However, he became very controlling and sometimes violent. Reports said he even threatened Queen Rasoherina with a knife.
After one year, Queen Rasoherina removed Rainivoninahitriniony from his position. She then appointed his younger brother, Rainilaiarivony, as the new Prime Minister. She also married Rainilaiarivony in another political marriage.
During Queen Rasoherina's reign, Madagascar sent ambassadors to London and Paris. This helped improve relationships with other countries. She also made a rule that stopped Sunday markets.
An important agreement called the Lambert Charter was canceled. This charter had been made by Radama II. France was unhappy about this. Madagascar paid France a large sum of money as a result.
On June 27, 1865, Queen Rasoherina signed a treaty with the United Kingdom. This treaty allowed British citizens to rent land in Madagascar. It also allowed a British ambassador to live on the island. On February 14, 1867, she signed a treaty with the United States. This treaty limited the import of weapons and the export of cattle. A treaty with France was being discussed, but it was not signed until after her death.
End of Her Reign and Passing
Near the end of Queen Rasoherina's life, a plan to change who would rule was discovered. This plan aimed to remove Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony. It also wanted to make a prince named Rasata the next king.
On March 27, 1868, a large crowd tried to attack the Rova of Antananarivo. This was Queen Rasoherina's home. The former Prime Minister, Rainivoninahitriniony, was thought to be behind this plan. He wanted to become Prime Minister again. He planned to rule through young Rasata.
Some of the Queen's guards escaped and told Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony. He was visiting Ambohimanga, where Queen Rasoherina was very sick. The Prime Minister ordered the arrest of the people involved in the plan.
Later that day, Queen Rasoherina spoke to the public. She asked those who supported her to walk with her through the capital. A huge crowd walked with her, showing their support. She then gave a speech, asking people to report any plotters. She then returned to her duties.
The Queen passed away four days later, on April 1, 1868. Before she died, she joined the Roman Catholic Church. She asked her first cousin, Ramoma, to care for her two adopted children. Ramoma was another wife of Radama II. She would become the next queen, taking the name Ranavalona II.
Images for kids
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Rainifiringa Ralaimaholy and Rasatranabo aka Rainandrianandraina: Malagasy Ambassadors to Europe, 1863
See also
In Spanish: Rasoherina I de Madagascar para niños
