1-276-329 - Art Media/Heritage Images

'Charles le Myre de Vilers, resident general of Madagascar', 19th century. France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War (Hova being the name of the island's Merina aristocrats), seeking to restore property that had been confiscated from French residents. Prior to the French intervention Madagascar was an independent kingdom ruled by the Merina dynasty, but by the end of the Second Franco-Hova War in 1896 France ruled the island as a protectorate, the monarchy had been abolished and the royal family exiled to Algeria.