Because the [G 11 / Inca] Empire expanded at such an astonishing rate, its people needed to be administered by a structured and effective government both at the central and local levels.
The structure of the Inca government stemmed primarily from [L3 205 / the emperor] who was the ultimate decision maker. A provincial governor ruled each of the four provinces of the empire and these four leaders formed a council of state which met in Cuzco to advise the emperor.
At the local level there was a [L3 206 / pyramidal hierarchy of administrators] from the provincial governor downwards who administered each region and village in the province.
Inca society was divided into a peasant class who farmed the land and served the state, and a [L3 207 / noble class] who were supported by the peasants and formed the bulk of the administrative hierarchy. In addition to farming, the peasants had to pay the state with their labor. This was called [L3 208 / the mita tax], and included duties such as building bridges, roads and fortresses, serving in the army, and running the postal messenger service.
The state owned almost everything: land, mines, crops and most animals (particularly [V 007 / llamas] which were important pack animals). The only private property for the common people was the surplus crops they produced, their home, a few animals and homemade household objects. The nobility owned considerably more. The state distributed llama and [G 04 / alpaca] wool to the people so they could make clothes.
Topa Inca Yupanqui removed hereditary officials, and replaced them with [G 10 / curacas]. With these innovations it was possible to keep accurate population records. Information was recorded using a system of knotted cords called [L3 209 / quipus], and the first empire-wide census was carried out. Topa Inca Yupanqui also initiated [L3 210 / the tripartite division of land and labor], founded the organization of the [L3 211 / chosen women (Alaconna)] and created the [L3 212 / Yanacona class of servants].
