S4E18: The Rise of the "Mad Queen" of Madagascar

1905 portrait of Ranavalona I

Ranavalona I have may be the most famous (or infamous) figure yet to be covered on this podcast. She is, for example, the first figure from this podcast to feature in her own pop history biography. The title of that book adequately summarizes Ranavalona's incredibly negative reputation in Western popular conception: "Female Caligula." Until relatively recently, the view of Ranavalona as a bloodthirsty and sadistic tyrant remained unchallenged, and the image of the "Mad Queen of Madagascar" became the definitive description of Ranavalona.

But what if it's wrong? What if the reality of Ranavalona's reign was far more complex than her depiction as a one-dimensional villain? Throughout the next several episodes, we'll examine the long reign of Ranavalona, observe how she achieved this infamous reputation, and assess the fairness of her inclusion among history's most infamous figures.

Enslaved workers packing rice - 1856

Ranavalona rose to power on the back of a military coup following her husband's death in 1828. Upon assuming the throne, Ranavalona was immediately beset by numerous problems which she would have to address throughout her reign. The early industrial firms supported by Radama were failing, the growing number of enslaved workers was challenging the traditional labor hierarchy, sampy guardians were becoming increasingly resentful of Christian missionaries, and a French invasion in 1829. These early challenges would shape Ranavalona's future administration in multiple ways. The British, Merina allies, refused to help defeat the French invasion, sewing a deep mistrust of European powers within Ranavalona. Additionally, while she remained relatively friendly to Christians at first, the conflicts between Sampy guardians and Christian missionaries would eventually send Ranavalona down a path of persecution that will define her historical legacy.