Editing Radama I (section)

== Death and succession==
Radama died prematurely on 27 July 1828, at his residence (the ''[[Rova of Antananarivo#Tranovola|Tranovola]]'').{{sfn|Montgomery|1840|pp=283-286}} Historical sources provide conflicting accounts regarding his cause of death. Many years of military campaigning certainly took their toll,{{sfn|Fage|Flint|Oliver|1986|p=407}} and Radama was prone to drinking heavily; shortly before his death he displayed [[long-term effects of alcohol consumption|symptoms]] of advanced [[alcoholism]] as his health rapidly declined. His death was officially declared to be the consequence of heavy intoxication.{{sfn|Ade Ajayi|1998|pp=164–175}}

[[File:Tombs of Radama and Rasoherina at Rova of Antananarivo Madagascar.jpg|thumb|230px |left|alt=Two rectangular stone tombs, each topped with a small decorative wooden house|Tomb of King Radama I (right), 1885]]

Radama was buried in a stone tomb on the grounds of the [[Rova of Antananarivo]]. In line with [[Architecture of Madagascar|Malagasy architectural norms]], his tomb was topped with a ''[[Architecture of Madagascar#Highlands traditions|trano masina]]'' ("sacred house") symbolic of royalty. Like his father [[Andrianampoinimerina]] and other [[Kingdom of Madagascar|Merina sovereigns]] that would follow him, he was laid to rest in a silver coffin, and it is said the funerary goods buried with him were the most extensive and richest of any tomb in Madagascar. These included a deep red silk [[lamba (garment)|lamba mena]], imported paintings of European royalty, thousands of coins, eighty articles of clothing, swords, jewels, gold vases, containers of silver and so forth. Alongside each interior wall of the ''trano masina'' were a mirror, bed, several chairs and a table upon which were placed two porcelain water vessels and one bottle each of water and rum that were replenished annually during the ''[[fandroana]]'' (festival of the royal bath). Most of these items were lost when a 1995 fire destroyed the Rova of Antananarivo where the tomb was located.{{sfn|Frémigacci|1999|pp=421-444}}

Radama died without naming a clear successor,{{sfn|Fage|Flint|Oliver|1986|p=407}} but according to [[Andriamanelo#Rules of succession|local custom]], the rightful heir was Rakotobe, the eldest son of Radama's eldest sister.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Radama died in the company of two trusted courtiers who were favorable to the succession of Rakotobe. However, they hesitated to report the news of Radama's death for several days, fearing possible reprisals against them for having been involved in denouncing one of the king's rivals, whose family had a stake in the succession after Radama.{{sfn|Freeman|Johns|1840|pp=7-17}}{{sfn|Oliver|1886|pp=42-45}} During this time, another courtier, a high-ranking military officer named Andriamamba, discovered the truth and collaborated with other powerful officers - [[Andriamihaja]], Rainijohary and Ravalontsalama - to support Ramavo, Radama's highest ranking wife, as successor.<ref name="rainijohary">{{cite journal|last=Rasoamiaramanana|first=Micheline|title=Rainijohary, un homme politique meconnu (1793–1881) | journal = Omaly Sy Anio | volume = 29-32 | pages=287–305|date=1989–1990|language=fr}}</ref> She ultimately succeeded Radama as Queen [[Ranavalona I]].{{sfn|Fage|Flint|Oliver|1986|p=407}}