The People

The Incas

The Incas were a native South American people living in the Andes (in Peru) at the time that Europeans first arrived in the Americas. Their leader, known as the Inca, ruled over a vast empire stretching from Chile to the rainforests of modern-day Columbia. The Inca empire is comparable to ancient Rome – it ruled over many different peoples in different lands, with a population of about 12 million people.

At first, the Incas were just one of many different groups of people living in the Andes, and were often at war with their neighbours. Their territory centred around the town of Cuzco, and only extended about 100km from the city. But, in 1430AD, the Incas were almost wiped out by a neighbouring people called the Chancas. The Chancas launched an attack which was so powerful that the Inca (Viracocha, the eighth in the lineage) fled Cuzco with his eldest son – sure that his army was about to be crushed by the invaders. Disappointed at his father’s cowardice, the Inca’s other son, Pachacuti, rushed to join the army and rallied them for the fight. The fight was long and fierce, but legend says that the gods intervened by turning rocks on the battlefield into warriors – helping the Incas to drive back and defeat the invading Chancas.

After the battle, Pachacuti crowned himself as the new Inca, and rebuilt the city of Cuzco. He revitalised the Incas, introducing new forms government, administration, and schools to ensure that the empire ran efficiently and smoothly. He also rebuilt the army, conquering the Chancas and surrounding territories – and enlarging the empire so that it was 10 times bigger than before.

As armies expanded the Incas’ empire, teams of engineers followed behind – building a network of roads to connect new territories with the rest of the empire. These roads enabled Inca armies to move quickly and easily. Soldiers could rapidly be sent from one end of the empire to the other, quelling attempted rebellions or providing reinforcements for new conquests. Beside each road there were storehouses containing food, clothing, and weapons – ensuring that the armies were always well-provisioned with supplies. Roads were also important for communication. Messengers could be dispatched back and forth from the Incas’ capital at Cuzco, carrying news and orders so that the empire’s administrators were always well-informed about events around the empire.

The Inca had absolute rule over his people, but generally ruled over them with concern for their welfare. People were expected to pay tribute to the Inca in the form of crops and woven cloth, but the Inca was expected to ensure that everyone had food, shelter, and lived in relative peace. Inca engineers built irrigation channels to turn unproductive land into gardens and farms, and built terraces on hillsides so that they could also be used for growing crops. In emergencies, such as an earthquake or drought, the Inca arranged for supplies to be brought in from other parts of the empire to ensure sufficient food, blankets, and shelter. As the empire expanded, it absorbed a wide variety of different tribes and peoples. At first, the Incas would usually try to win them over by sending engineers to also improve their farms, irrigation, and other services. In return, these people had to accept the Incas’ religion and traditions. Some tribes accepted the Incas’ rules willingly, but others were bitter about being conquered and continued their resistance against the Incas. These attempted rebellions were put down with quick and ruthless efficiency by the Inca and his authorities.

Following the Spanish conquest of Mexico and Central America, stories of the Incas’ rich empire soon filtered through to Spanish authorities. A Spanish mercenary called Francisco Pizarro set out to find it, and to plan its conquest. On a voyage along South America’s Pacific coast, in 1526, he discovered several Inca settlements, and learned of the vast wealth to be found at the Incas’ capital in Cuzco. Greedy for gold and eager to claim the new territories, Pizarro immediately travelled back to Panama to organise soldiers for the conquest. He returned in 1532, bringing 62 horsemen and 106 infantrymen. Although Pizarro’s force was tiny compared to the Incas’ army – with trickery, and a lot of luck, he was quickly able to conquer the Incas’ vast empire

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