Andriambelomasina
| Andriambelomasina | |
|---|---|
| King of Imerina-Avaradrano and Imerinatsimo | |
| Reign | c. 1730–1770 |
| Predecessor | Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka |
| Successor | Andrianjafy |
| Born | Ambohitrontsy |
| Died | 1770 Ambohimanga |
| Burial | Ambohimanga, Rova of Antananarivo (re-interred 1797) |
| Spouse | Rasoherimananitany, Renibodonimerina |
| Issue | Five sons (Andrianjafy, Andriantsimitoviaminandriandrazaka, Andriankirahinimerina, Andriantsimitovizafinitrimo, Andriamparalahimanjaka) and six daughters (Ranavalonandriambelomasina, Ranavalonjananjanahary, Ranavalonkoandriamanitra, Rabodonimerina, Rafaravavindriambelomasina, Rafaratsimanompo) |
| Dynasty | Hova dynasty |
| Father | Andriamifonozozoro, Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka (adoptive father) |
| Mother | Rangorinimerina |
Andriambelomasina (ruled 1730–1770) was a Merina King of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar. The kingdom's capital was located at Ambohimanga.
Born Rakotomavo ("Yellow Man") at Ambohitrontsy (also Ambohitrosy) to Princess Rangorinimerina and her husband, Prince Andriamifonozozoro. He was the grandson of King Andriamasinavalona of Imerina on his mother's side and was therefore a prince of Imerinatsimo, one of several independent principalities within the borders of the formerly united Merina kingdom. At the time of Rakotomavo's birth, Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka was the ruler of Imerina Avaradrano, the easternmost and largest of these Merina principalities. The king's marriages to multiple spouses did not yield heirs, although he was able to father an illegitimate child out of wedlock with a woman of non-noble blood. To satisfy the ancestral requirements establishing legitimacy of a sovereign of Imerina, Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana adopted prince Rakotomavo as his heir. The people of Avaradrano had great difficulty accepting him as their legitimate ruler regardless of the king's wishes.
Upon assuming the kingship on the death of Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana in 1730, Rakotomavo adopted the name Andriambelomasina ("Living Sacred King"). He was also called Andriamaheritsialainolotany ("Strong King Whose Land Cannot Be Stolen").
The historic fortified village of Ambohidratrimo, one of the twelve sacred hills of Imerina, was the location of Andriambelomasina's capital and rova palace; today, the former location of his palace is marked by a vatolahy monolithic standing stone.
Andriambelomasina initially encountered difficulty establishing acceptance of his rule over Avaradrano. To ensure the loyalty of his people, he concluded a political marriage of alliance with an Avaradrano princess.
The king was interested in re-establishing a unified Imerina by bringing together all the warring principalities of the former kingdom under his rule. This effort was ultimately unsuccessful.
Andriambelomasina's rule was distinguished by the introduction of the first Malagasy mint, which was used to produce tavaiky silver coins based on the model of the Portuguese piastre. Foreign coins had long been a preferred currency in dealings with foreign slavers and traders; monarchs were often buried with these valuable items in a display of their wealth. The venture was not long-lasting, however. Its rapid collapse was likely due to a massive influx of foreign-produced coinage following the economic development of the nearby Mascarene islands.
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