Andrianmihaja

Andriamihaja, also spelled Andrìamihàja (died 1831), was the first Prime Minister of Madagascar. He was a supporter of Ranavalona I and as a young military officer he was instrumental in her rise. He came to be functionally viewed as her husband, and with her he fathered Radama II. He was executed in 1831.

Early life Andriamihaja's father is thought to have been Ratsitatanina, who led a slave rebellion in Mauritius and was executed in 1822. His support from within the military was an important part of Ranavalona I's rise to power. The date of his selection is variously given as either 1828

Andriamihaja was one of the lovers of Ranavalona I, and after her accession he was sometimes viewed as functionally being her husband. Andriamihaja was the father of Radama II. Reportedly because of Andriamihaja's rapid rise in power from being a young military commander to becoming a primary advisor to the queen, a group of his rivals including Rainiharo and accused him of treason, resulting in his execution on the orders of Ranavalona I in 1831. At first, Ranavalona I only expelled him from court and stripped him of his positions, but after it was alleged that he had begun an affair with a princess, she ordered his execution. Andriamihaja's support for the European powers is also thought to have been used as an instrument by his opponents to provoke his downfall.

Andriamihaja was buried at Namehana in Madagascar.