Madagascar's central highlands, including the area around Ambohimanga, were first inhabited between 200 BCE-300 CE by the island's earliest settlers,[REF] the Vazimba, who appear to have arrived by pirogue from southeastern Borneo to establish simple villages in the island's dense forests.
Throughout much of the 19th century and particularly under the reign of Queen Ranavalona I (1828-1861), Ambohimanga was forbidden to visiting foreigners, contributing to its mystique as a "forbidden city".