Editing History of Madagascar (section)

====Queen Rasoherina (1863–1868)====
{{main|Rasoherina of Madagascar}}
[[File:Malagasi Embassy to Europe 1863 Rainifiringa Ralahimaholy with Rev John Duffus and Rasatranabo na Rainandrianandraina.jpg|thumb|Malagasy Embassy to Europe in 1863. Left to right: Rainifiringa Ralaimaholy, Rev. John Duffus and Rasatranabo aka Rainandrianandraina.]] A council of princes headed by [[Rainilaiarivony]] approached Rabodo, the widow of [[Radama II]], the day after the death of her husband.  They gave her the conditions under which she could succeed to the throne.  These conditions included the suppression of [[trial by ordeal]] as well as the monarchy's defense of [[freedom of religion]]. Rabodo, crowned queen on 13 May 1863 under the throne name of [[Rasoherina of Madagascar|Rasoherina]], reigned until her death on 1 April 1868.<ref>Frédéric Randriamamonjy, ''Tantaran'i Madagasikara Isam-Paritra'' (The history of Madagascar by Region), pages 529–534.</ref>

The Malagasy people remember Queen Rasoherina for sending ambassadors to London and Paris and for prohibiting [[Sunday market]]s. On 30 June 1865, she signed a treaty with the United Kingdom giving British citizens the right to rent land and property on the island and to have a resident ambassador. With the United States of America she signed a trade agreement that also limited the importation of weapons and the export of cattle.  Finally, with France the queen signed a peace between her descendants and the descendants of the ''Emperor of France''.<ref>Frédéric Randriamamonjy, ''Tantaran'i Madagasikara Isam-Paritra'' (''The history of Madagascar by Region''), pages 529–534.</ref> Rasoherina married her prime minister, [[Rainivoninahitriniony]], but public outcry against his involvement in the murder of [[Radama II]] soon forced his resignation and exile to [[Betsileo]] country south of [[Imerina]].  She then married his brother, [[Rainilaiarivony]], head of the army at the time of Radama II's murder who was promoted to the post of Prime Minister upon the resignation and exile of his older brother.  Rainilaiarivony would rule Madagascar from behind the scenes for the remaining 32 years of the Merina monarchy, marrying each of the final three queens of Madagascar in succession.