A wall topped with enormous stakes to protect the Rova replaces the wooden palisades of the 19th century in Imerina. From Andrianjaka until 1869-1888, when a temple was added, the Rova of Antananarivo possessed the structures of all previous Rova. Vincent Belrose Huyghes cites, as an example, Father Callet in his "Tantara ny Andriana eto Madagascar": "At Ambohimanga, there are three enclosures: Mahandrihono, Nanjakana and Bevato. They are separated from one another... They are arranged in tiers (...) The Tranomasina numbered twelve forming a row."
Three essential functions are defined by the "Tantara", the author of "Rova de Tananarive, from Andrianjaka to Radama I: an example of aesthetic syncretism in the 19th century" continues. "Mahandrihono, inhabited by Andrianampoinimerina, and the 'Tranomasina' are found in the same enclosure; Nanjakana belonged to his children and was ceded to Radama; Bevato is the residence of Andrianampoinimerina's twelve wives." The author of the Rova presentation reiterates from the "Tantara" that the most important enclosure is Mahandrihono, which brings together the great king's residence, royal tombs, the "Kianja" and a sacred cattle park ("Fahi-masina").
Father Callet's informants knew of the similarity between the two Rova, but Europeans had access only to Antananarivo and most described mainly the Rova of Analamanga. In 1828, missionary Bennet wrote: "There are several courtyards, each containing one or more palaces separated from one another by high wooden barriers." David Jones also noted the presence of several enclosures which he called compounds. Leminier clarified: "King Radama's palace dominates the other buildings and consists of a great quantity of houses for him, his wives, his retinue, his arsenals, etc." And Coppalle confirms: "The Palace or Rouvy occupies the highest knoll of the mountain. It is a fairly vast enclosure formed of three particular enclosures. The first and most remarkable is the one where the king resides. The second serves as lodging for the king's wives and some foreigners (...) The enclosure serving as residence for the queens is the most vast. It is a small city which contains, besides the house of the princesses, a dozen small cabins, called by the natives 'Tranomasina'." Belrose Huygues, however, offers a small correction: In reality, there are only two Rova and what Coppalle considers a third enclosure—a seraglio—is merely an annex of Tranovola.
The southern Rova, that of Andrianampoinimerina, was not modified; it corresponds quite exactly, in terms of principles, to that of Ambohimanga. Based on Coppalle's assertion, the historian traces the evolution that occurs in the Rova compared to that of Andrianjaka. The Rova of Andrianampoinimerina, as at Ambohimanga, is composed of several enclosures. The first comprises the tombs of his predecessors since Andrianjaka (seven tombs) and the houses where only the sovereign can reside.
"Manjakamiadana also named Felatanambola is found at the northern extremity" (somewhere at the location of the current Queen's Palace, suggests Belrose Huygues); "Manatsara above and to the east of the royal tomb... The sovereign's wives and children do not live there... Soaniadanana south of Manjakamiadana is a residence of Andrianampoinimerina... where he was continuously found..." This first enclosure corresponds exactly to Mahandrihono of Ambohimanga. In the second enclosure, the difference lies in the large number of dwellings in Antananarivo. Attributed to the women, it nevertheless corresponds in function to the Bevato of Ambohimanga. Note that there is no third enclosure in Antananarivo.
It should be noted that women are excluded from the king's enclosure: they may enter, but do not sleep there. The Mainty and Andevo likewise. The dwellings of the great king's wives are numerous, more than twelve, including Besakana and Masoandrotsiroa. "Besakana was in no way the residence of Andrianampoinimerina, who placed Ralesoka and Rabodonandrianampoinimerina, future Ranavalona I, there. The palace is moreover located at the southern boundary of the queens' quarter."
Pela Ravalitera