FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Monarchs of Madagascar Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz on the Merina dynasty that ruled most of Madagascar during the 19th century.

A multiple-choice quiz by atreidesman. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
atreidesman

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
199,702

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
244

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The kingdom of Imerina became the dominant political and military power on the great island of Madagascar towards the end of the 18th century. From which part of the island did the Imerina kingdom emerge? Hint

central plateau

desert south

eastern rainforest

northwest savannah

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The kings and queens of Imerina established fortified compounds, usually on hilltops, containing residences as well as ceremonial and military buildings. What is the Malagasy name given to these fortified compounds? Hint

fady

tanguin

laager

rova

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This man came to the throne of a small Merina kingdom in 1787 after the overthrow of his tyrannical uncle. He was able to unite the Merina kingdoms and established a capital at Antananarivo. Who was this king? Hint

Radama I

Rainoharo

Radama II

Andrianampoinimerina

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This man came to the throne in 1810 and is often called "the Great". He openly admired Napoleon and established his own professional army with the help of European officers. He welcomed missionaries and artisans and had a fondness for alcohol. Who was this king? Hint

Radama I

Rakotobe

Ratefy

Rakoto

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Royal justice was sometimes administered in the form of a "poison ordeal". What is the name given to this infamous poison ordeal of Madagascar? Hint

hasina

filanjana

fady

tanguin

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. This woman reigned for 33 years and is notorious as Madagascar's "wicked queen". Who was this queen? Hint

Mary Rasoamieja

Raketaka

Ranavalona I

Rangita

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This man was prime minister of the kingdom for most of the 19th century. He wielded more power than the three queens to whom he was married. Who was he? Hint

Rainilaiarivony

Rakotobe

Rakoto

Rainiharo

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This widow of Radama II was placed on the throne immediately after her husband's murder. Her name means "chrysalis" in Malagasy. She reigned 1863-68. Who was she? Hint

Ranavalona III

Rasoherina

Rangita

Ratefy

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. She was the first Christian monarch of the island and forbade the presence of the traditional charms and idols at her coronation ceremony. She too married the prime minister shortly after her accession. Who was she? Hint

Ramavo

Rasoherina

Rabodo

Ranavalona II

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. This last Merina monarch was deposed in 1896 and died in exile in Algeria in 1917. Who was this last monarch of Madagascar? Hint

King Rakotobe

Queen Rangita

King Radama II

Queen Ranavalona III

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: central plateau

The kingdom of Imerina arose on the central plateau around the capital, Antananarivo.

Answer: rova

Rova can be translated as "fort".

Answer: Andrianampoinimerina

Andrianampoinimerina, whose name means "prince at the heart of Imerina", started the process of uniting the entire island under one monarch.

Answer: Radama I

Radama I "the Great" died at the young age of 36 in 1828.

5. Royal justice was sometimes administered in the form of a "poison ordeal". What is the name given to this infamous poison ordeal of Madagascar?

Answer: tanguin

The accused was fed a mixture of the poisonous tanguin nut and several pieces of chicken skin. Rice water to induce vomiting followed. If the accused vomited all pieces of the chicken skin then he was aquitted..if not, guilty.

6. This woman reigned for 33 years and is notorious as Madagascar's "wicked queen". Who was this queen?

Answer: Ranavalona I

Ranavalona I and her government vigorously persecuted those Malagasy who converted to Christianity. Torture and executions were common occurences during her reign. All but a select few Europeans were expelled from the island.

7. This man was prime minister of the kingdom for most of the 19th century. He wielded more power than the three queens to whom he was married. Who was he?

Answer: Rainilaiarivony

Rainilaiarivony was the husband of Queens Rasoherina, and Ranavanlona II and III. He died in exile shortly after the fall of the monarchy in 1896.

8. This widow of Radama II was placed on the throne immediately after her husband's murder. Her name means "chrysalis" in Malagasy. She reigned 1863-68. Who was she?

Answer: Rasoherina

She was married to the prime minister shortly after her accession, despite the fact that she was some 15 years older than he and well past 50.

Answer: Ranavalona II

Ranavalona II later ordered that the collection of royal idols and charms, called "sampy" be destroyed. She was another widow/first cousin of Radama II.

10. This last Merina monarch was deposed in 1896 and died in exile in Algeria in 1917. Who was this last monarch of Madagascar?

Answer: Queen Ranavalona III

Queen Ranavalona III was deposed during the establishment of the French protectorate in 1896. She died in exile and 1938 her remains were returned to Antananarivo for burial.

Source: Author atreidesman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor fringe before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.