Editing Radama II (section)

== Rumors of survival ==
Following Radama II's apparent death, rumors spread that he had only been rendered unconscious by the attempt on his life and had revived as his body was being transported to [[Twelve sacred hills of Imerina#Hill of Ilafy|Ilafy]] for interment in his designated tomb. French historian Delval presents evidence {{what?|date=October 2021}} that supports a scenario wherein the group tasked with carrying Radama's body to Ilafy became frightened as the king began to revive, prompting them to abandon the body and then falsely maintain that they had completed their task to place him in the tomb.{{sfn|Delval|1972|p=}} Within months after his reported death, rumors began circulating that Radama was alive, residing on the west coast of the island and was amassing supporters for a political comeback. The rumors persisted to the point of causing political turmoil in Antananarivo.{{sfn|De La Vaissière|1884|p=}} These claims may have had some substance judging by the actions of others. Prominent Christian missionaries outside the capital made extensive efforts to visit and support Radama but seemingly never succeeded. Traditionalist factions within the government were concerned enough by the rumors to have put to death sixteen of his supporters, as well as fining hundreds of others.{{sfn|Brown|2002|p=}} According to evidence in Delval's study, Radama may indeed have survived and, failing to regain the throne, lived to old age as an ordinary citizen in the north of the island.{{sfn|Ade Ajayi |1989|p=}}

With the apparent murder of Radama II, the power of the Merina monarchs was broken. Subsequent monarchs were controlled by influential Hova, particularly Rainilaiarivony, who became prime minister after his brother and successively married all three remaining queens of the monarchy: [[Rasoherina]], [[Ranavalona II]] and [[Ranavalona III]].{{sfn|Ade Ajayi |1989|p=}}