The Role of Firearms and the Development of Military Techniques in Merina Warfare, c. 1785-1828

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Abstract
The earliest record of firearms in Imerina cornes from oral tradition associated with the reign of King Ralambo (c. 1575-c. 1610). However, the first serious attempts to secure firearms in large quantities began several years later, during the reign of Andrianampoinimerina (1787-1810), and this was continued during the reign of Radama I (1810-1828), whose army, by the end of his reign, was fully equipped with such weapons. The import of firearms in significant numbers had begun to create important structural and tactical changes in the army by the late 18th century. But, during the reign of Radama, European military officers were introduced into Imerina to remodel the army along western lines. The resuit was that by 1828, the Merina possessed a small, but highly disciplined and efficient force, which became the scourge of the neighbouring territories.

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