There are very few sources of information regarding the history of the Incas - an ancient Indian civilization. Most of the information comes from the Spanish conquistadors and missionaries. Filippo Huaman Poma De Ayaalo, an Inca artist of the 16th century, left one original and invaluable document - these are drawings and chronicles that give a detailed description of the Inca society. Realizing that his world might disappear, Uaman Poma described all its splendor. It was his life's work. He intended to give it to King Philip II, in the hope that the monarch would see his colony in a different light and change his attitude towards it.
In his work, he also described the way of life of the Andean peoples before the arrival of the Incas - the Indians led a harsh and complex lifestyle, they were practically savages. But everything changed with the appearance of a creature that was half-man, half-god - the son of Inti, the son of God. His name is Manco Capac. He called himself "Inca" and brought civilization to his world.
He taught people to build cities and cultivate the land. Under his leadership, the Inca world began to flourish. His wife Manco Capaca Ocllo taught the women how to weave.
This was the world of the Incas, wherethe same name belonged to both the ruler and his people.
100 years after the formation of the Inca Empire, in the 15th century, this state, located on the territory of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, ceased to exist. However, more on that later… The article will talk about who the Incas are.
The Birth of Civilization
According to the legend, the sun god Inti created the ancestors of the Inca rulers. They were 4 brothers and 4 sisters who came out of the Tampu Tocco cave. Their leader was Aiyar Manco, who carried a golden staff in his hands. He had to find a place where the staff would enter the ground, which would be a sign of fertile soil.
After a long wandering, Aiyar Manco with his brothers and sisters came to the Cusco Valley, where the staff finally entered the earth.
By defeating the militant locals, the brothers and sisters founded the capital of the Inca Empire. Aiyar Manco began to call himself Manco Capac, which means "ruler of the Incas". He became the first Sappa Inca (paramount chief).
Was it really like that?
Ethnologists of the National Center for Scientific Research are not entirely sure of the historical existence of the first eight Incas. Rather, they were mythical characters. Due to the fact that all currently available information about the Incas is closely related to their epic.
Each family of the Inca rulers had their own traditions, similar to those of Africa. Each generation of rulers told the story differently.
A significant period in the history of the Incas is associated with the ruler Pachacuti. Among other things, he was the greatestreligious reformer. During his reign, the Inca people became much less dependent on the high priests of the solar religion.
Pachacuti Time
In the XII century, the Andes were inhabited by a huge number of different peoples and constantly warring tribes. Pachacuti wanted to create an empire that would unite all the Andean peoples. His name, which means "world-changing", perfectly describes his aspirations.
He united the tribes around the city of Cusco and his goals became a reality.
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Inca Empire was attacked by the Chanca tribe. The city of Cusco is under threat. Pachacuti took command of the army and managed to repel the attack and, inspired by the victory, began military expansion.
Pachacuti seized the territory in the area of Lake Titicaca and expanded the possession of the Inca Empire of Tahuantinsuyu in the North up to the Cojamarca region.
A few words about the way of life
Briefly, the culture of the Incas reflects their way of life. When the Incas enslaved peoples, they presented local rulers with special gifts - women and various curiosities. Thus, they made him somewhat grateful, left him in debt. In exchange for these gifts, the leaders had to pay tribute to the Incas or perform various types of work for them. From that moment on, they entered into relations that are historically called vassalage. It could be forced labor, called mita, or unequal exchange, called aine.
Thisthe system of relations with the captured tribes became one of the main aspects of the power of the Incas.
Creating an orderly system on such a large scale in one of the world's largest mountain ranges was no easy task. The Incas needed to create collective labor, commodity exchange, a management system and ensure security. None of this would have been possible without the construction of roads.
There is no doubt that the Incas already knew what a wheel was. However, the mountain landscapes were not suitable for the use of wheeled vehicles. Even today, most travel in the Andes is done on foot. But the Incas conquered the mountain peaks, creating a developed network of communications. They built bridges in a world that literally hung between heaven and earth.
A few words about the reign of the Sappa Inca
The power of the Incas, like any other power, required an impact on the minds of people. And the majestic city of Machu Picchu, according to ethnologists, is only part of the image of power. For example, the ruler was not allowed to look in the face. His image has always been associated with sacred rituals. He was revered as the son of the Sun and was a real shrine for the people.
The power of the ruler was perpetuated after his death, when he joined all the gods and became God himself. The Huaman Poma chronicles describe the Incas' understanding of life after death. They believed that human life force did not disappear after death. In their view, the ancestors could protect those living on earth.
Empire Capital
In the heart of the Andes, onat an altitude of more than 3 thousand meters, there was the city of Cusco - the capital of the Inca Empire. In 1534, it was practically razed to the ground by the Spanish invaders. The city of Cusco is the political and spiritual center of the Inca Empire.
Besides Cusco, there were several administrative centers, there were not many cities in the Inca Empire. Most of the territory is small villages where the Incas lived and worked on plantations. Agriculture was the centerpiece of their economy.
Rituals
To figure out who the Incas are, you should turn to their epic.
In Mana Poma's chronicles, one of the chapters is devoted to a rather strange ritual - capacocha. During some events, such as a solar eclipse, a volcanic eruption, or epidemics, children were sacrificed to earn the favor of the spirits. It also happened that they were the children of the leaders of the tribe.
Capacocha was an important part of the political and religious cult in Cusco.
Counting system
Although the Incas did not have a written language, they used a system of knots and rope plexuses called quipu to record numbers and possibly other information. Thanks to the decimal system, the taxation of subjects was orderly and efficient.
Taxes in the form of food were collected throughout the empire and added up to the colpos. This system provided the population with acceptable living conditions and was an important aspect in controlling the empire's economy.
They lived at high altitudes, where every 5-6 years there might not be a crop,so they just needed to stock up.
In return, the empire provided security, maintained infrastructure, and provided the inhabitants with a livelihood. For this, large warehouses with essential goods were built everywhere. Such kolpos existed in every region.
And now back to the division of lands
The son of Pochacuti - Tupac Inca - continued to conquer new territories and in 1471 became the ruler. By the end of his reign, the empire extended throughout Western South America. He showed the inhabitants of neighboring tribes who the Incas were.
In 1493, the ruler was replaced by his son Huayna Capac. The wars of the new ruler on the distant frontiers have increased the level of discontent in the empire.
In 1502, having won a civil war, Atahualpa's army faced invaders from Europe. And although the Incas outnumbered the Europeans, Francisco Pizarro, with a small detachment of conquistadors, completely defeated their huge army. With the help of guns and horses, which the Incas had never seen before, the Spaniards were victorious. Atahualpa was captured and killed a year later.
However, according to historians, this is not the only reason for the fall of the empire. At that time, it was in the process of fragmentation and wars, which was the main reason for the collapse.
The great rise of the Inca Empire was almost as fleeting as its fall. And now, unfortunately, we can find out who the Incas are from the few sources that have survived to this day.
