Changes

He is widely recognized as one of the three greatest Merinas to rule over Madagascar before the French occupation, along with his son Radama I and Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony. Andrianampoinimerina issued many laws, such as land reforms and trade regulations. Each was given enough land for rice production to support their families, the left over was paid as a rice tribute to the king. Community projects, such as building canals, were imposed through forced labor with bonuses for the most productive workers. He standardised the usage of weight scales and all units for volume and length measurements at the markets. Additionally the use of money was standardised and regularised. Andrianampoinimerina also organised the military force by creating a citizen army called the <i>Foloalindahy - the 100 000 soldiers</i> and forbidd the burning of forests.