Journey through the people, cities and ideas that shaped Madagascar, from prehistoric communities to the republic of today.
Follow Austronesian and African settlement, regional kingdoms, the Merina monarchy, French colonial rule, independence and contemporary Madagascar.
Explore ten historical periods, rulers and heads of government, and 31 chapters of territorial change.
Kings and chiefs, colonial governors, heads of state, prime ministers and parallel leaders.
A Journey Through the Ages
Madagascar connects Indian Ocean settlement and trade with regional kingdoms, the Merina monarchy, colonial rule and independence. Explore 432 events across ten historical periods.
1,000,000,000 BCE – 999
Giant lemurs and elephant birds, the first human traces, Austronesian and Bantu settlement and the Vazimba traditions.
1000 – 1649
Swahili and Arab trading ports, the Antemoro, the first Merina and Sakalava rulers and the first Europeans.
1650 – 1786
Fort-Dauphin, the Sakalava realms, Ratsimilaho, the pirates of Sainte-Marie and Benyowsky.
1787 – 1860
Andrianampoinimerina, Radama I and the British, Ranavalona I, Laborde and persecution.
1861 – 1895
Radama II, the queens, Christianity, Rainilaiarivony and the wars with France.
1896 – 1946
Annexation, Gallieni, forced labour, nationalism, Vichy and the Battle of Madagascar.
1947 – 1971
The 1947 revolt, the road to 1960 and Tsiranana's republic.
1972 – 1990
The 1972 revolution, the generals, Ratsiraka's Charter and structural adjustment.
1991 – 2008
The 1991 protests, Zafy, the 2002 crisis and Ravalomanana.
2009 – present
The 2009 coup, Rajoelina, cyclones and the 2025 Gen Z revolt and military transition.
From the First Settlers to 2026
From Austronesian voyagers and Sakalava, Betsimisaraka and Merina kingdoms to the French colony and the republics. See who held each region of the island, how the Merina state grew, and how power changed hands.
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Austronesian and African settlement and coastal trading towns connect Madagascar to wider histories of language, migration and exchange.
Merina, Sakalava, Betsimisaraka and other regional traditions shaped political authority and cultural life across the island.
French colonial rule, the 1947 uprising, independence, socialist government and subsequent transitions shaped the modern republic.
The supplied ruler profiles and map retain source references and caveats. Structural validation does not establish historical accuracy.
Historical authority is presented through indicative regional cells. Approximate extents and overlapping rule are not surveyed frontiers. Credits and caveats remain in the map.
History is connected. Explore the bigger picture.
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