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[[File:Andrianampoinimerina.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Portrait of Andrianampoinimerina painted around 1905 by Ramanankirahina]] Andrianampoinimerina <i>(The King in the Heart of Imerina)</i>, short for Andrianampoinimerinandriantsimitoviaminandriampanjaka, was king of the Merina kingdom in Madagascar and considered as one of the greatest political rulers and military strategists of all times.

Andrianampoinimerina was born in 1745 in Ikaloy ''(The Prince in the kingdom of Ambohimanga. He was the son of <i>Andriamiaramanjaka (King Heart of IkaloyImerina)</i> and <i>Ranavalonanandriambelomasina '', short for Andrianampoinimerinandriantsimitoviaminandriampanjaka ''(Princess The beloved Prince of AmbohimangaImerina who surpasses the reigning Prince)</i>. At 1787 he became '', was king of the small Ambohimanga kingdom. In 1794 he conquered the neighbouring kingdom of Antananarivo and moved his headquarter to Antananarivo. After uniting the various [[Merina kingdoms from the central plateau of ]] Kingdom in Madagascar, he also conquered other highland tribes, such as in the Betsileo, Sihanaka, Bezanozano 18th century and Bara territories. By 1810, the time of his death, Andrianampoinimerina had conquered two thirds is considered one of Madagascar. The Merina kingdom was the most powerful empire in the history greatest political rulers and military strategists of Madagascarall times.

Andrianampoinimerina was born in 1745 in [[Ikaloy]] in the kingdom of [[Ambohimanga]]. He is widely recognized as one of was the three greatest Merinas to rule over Madagascar before the French occupation, along with his son {{nowrap begin}}Radama I{{nowrap end}} of ''Andriamiaramanjaka (King of Ikaloy)'' and Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony''Ranavalonanandriambelomasina (Princess of Ambohimanga)''. Andrianampoinimerina issued many laws, such as land reforms At 1787 he became king of the small Ambohimanga kingdom. In 1794 he conquered the neighbouring kingdom of Antananarivo and trade regulationsmoved his headquarters to [[Antananarivo]]. Each was given enough land for rice production to support their families, After uniting the left over was paid as a rice tribute to various Merina kingdoms from the king. Community projectscentral plateau of Madagascar, he also conquered other highland tribes, such as building canalsthe Betsileo, were imposed through forced labor with bonuses for the most productive workersSihanaka, Bezanozano and Bara territories. He standardised By 1810, the usage time of weight scales and all units for volume and length measurements at the marketshis death, Andrianampoinimerina had conquered two thirds of Madagascar. Additionally the use of money The Merina Kingdom was standardised and regularised. Andrianampoinimerina also organised the military force by creating a citizen army called the <i>Foloalindahy - the 100 000 soldiers</i> and forbidd most powerful empire in the burning history of forestsMadagascar.

He is widely recognised as one of the three greatest Merinas to have ruled Madagascar before the French occupation, along with his son {{nowrap begin}}Radama I{{nowrap end}} and the Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony. Andrianampoinimerina issued many laws, such as land reforms and trade regulations. Each person was given enough land for rice production to support their families, the leftovers was paid as a rice tribute to the king. Community projects, such as building canals, were imposed through forced labor with bonuses for the most productive workers. He standardised the usage of weight scales and all units for volume and length measurements at the markets. Additionally, the use of money was standardised and regularised. Andrianampoinimerina also organised the military force by creating a citizen army called ''Foloalindahy - the 100,000 soldiers'' and forbid the burning of forests. Andrianampoinimerina had several wives and at least 30 children. His successor was his son {{nowrap begin}}Radama I,{{nowrap end}} who conquered with the help of Britain conquered most of the rest remaining land of Madagascar island. == Further information == * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrianampoinimerina en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrianampoinimerina]