 In particular, Besakana served as a primary royal residence and was repeatedly rebuilt, most notably for Andriamasinavalona who, according to oral history, had famously sought and then spared a human sacrifice in preparation for the endeavour.At some point prior to 1800, as the community of nobles inhabiting the Rova grew, the hilltop was lowered by to expand the amount of level land available for construction.Consequently, among the hills of Antananarivo, the hilltop of Analamanga is now second in height to that of Ambohimitsimbina to the south.