READING HALLDOORS OF WISDOM |
BIOGRAPHIKA : UNIVERSAL LIBRARY
HISTORY OF THE LIVES AND EMPIRE OF THE ELEVEN INCAS
BY
THE CAPTAIN PEDRO SARMIENTO DE GAMBOA
I. DIVISION OF THE HISTORY.
This general
history of which I took charge by order of Don Francisco de Toledo, Viceroy of
these kingdoms of Peru, will be divided into three Parts. The First will
be the natural history of these lands, being a particular description of them.
It will contain accounts of the marvellous works of
nature, and other things of great profit and interest. I am now finishing
it, that it may be sent to your Majesty after this, though it ought to have
come before it. The Second and Third Parts treat of the people of these
kingdoms and of their deeds in the following order. In the Second Part,
which is the present one, the most ancient and first peoplers of this land will be discussed in general, and then, descending to particulars,
I shall describe [the terrible and inveterate tyranny of] the Ccapac Incas of these kingdoms, down to the end and death
of Huascar, the last of the Incas. The Third and Last Part will treat of
the times of the Spaniards, and of their notable deeds in the discovery and
settlement of this kingdom and others adjoining it, with the captains,
governors, and viceroys who have ruled here, down to the present year 1572.
II. THE
ANCIENT DIVISION OF THE LAND.
When historians
wish to write, in an orderly way, of the world or some part of it, they
generally first describe the situation containing it, which is the land, before
they deal with what it contains, which is the population, to avoid the former
in the historical part. If this is so in ancient and well known works, it
is still more desirable that in treating of new and strange lands, like these,
of such vast extent, a task which I have undertaken, the same order should be
preserved. This will not only supply interesting information but also,
which is more to be desired, it will be useful for navigation and new
discoveries, by which God our Lord may be served, the territories of the crown
of Spain extended, and Spaniards enriched and respected. As I have not
yet finished the particular description of this land, which will contain everything
relating to geography and the works of nature minutely dealt with, in this
volume I shall only offer a general summary, following the most ancient
authors, to recall the remains of those lands which are now held to be new and
previously unknown, and of their inhabitants.
The land, which we
read of as having existed in the first and second age of the world, was divided
into five parts. The three continents, of which geographers usually
write, Asia, Africa, and Europe, are divided by the river Tanais,
the river Nile, and the Mediterranean Sea, which Pomponius calls “our”
sea. Asia is divided from Europe by the river Tanais [the Don], now called Silin, and from Africa by the Nile, though Ptolemy
divides it by the Red Sea and isthmus of the desert of Arabia Deserta. Africa is divided from Europe by
“our” sea, commencing at the strait of Gibraltar and ending with the Lake of Meotis. The other two parts are thus divided.
One was called, and still ought to be called, Catigara in the Indian Sea, a very extensive land now distinct from Asia. Ptolemy
describes it as being, in his time and in the time of Alexander the Great,
joined on to Asia in the direction of Malacca. I shall treat of this in
its place, for it contains many and very precious secrets, and an infinity of
souls, to whom the King our Lord may announce the holy catholic faith that they
may be saved, for this is the object of his Majesty in these new lands of
barbarous idolatry. The fifth part is or was called the Atlantic Island,
as famous as extensive, and which exceeded all the others, each one by itself,
and even some joined together. The inhabitants of it and their
description will be treated of, because this is the land, or at least part of
it, of these western Indies of Castille.
III. DESCRIPTION
OF THE ANCIENT ATLANTIC ISLAND.
The cosmographers
do not write of this ancient Atlantic Island because there was no memory, when
they wrote, of its very rich commercial prosperity in the second, and perhaps
in the first age. But from what the divine Plato tells us and from the
vestiges we see which agree with what we read, we can not only say where it was
and where parts of it were, as seen in our time, but we can describe it almost
exactly, its grandeur and position. This is the truth, and the same Plato
affirms it as true, in the Timaeus, where he gives its truthful and marvellous history.
We will speak
first of its situation, and then of its inhabitants. It is desirable that
the reader should give his attention because, although it is very ancient
history, it is so new to the ordinary teaching of cosmography that it may cause
such surprise as to raise doubts of the story, whence may arise a want of
appreciation.
From the words
which Plato refers to Solon, the wisest of the seven of Greece, and which Solon
had heard with attention from the most learned Egyptian priest in the city
called Delta, we learn that this Atlantic Island was larger than Asia and
Africa together, and that the eastern end of this immense island was near the
strait which we now call of Gibraltar. In front of the mouth of the said
strait, the island had a port with a narrow entrance; and Plato says that the
island was truly continental. From it there was a passage by the sea,
which surrounded it, to many other neighbouring islands, and to the main land of Europe and Africa. In this island there
were kings of great and admirable power who ruled over that and many adjacent
islands as well as the greater part of Europe and Africa, up to the confines of
Egypt, of which I shall treat presently. The extent of the island was
from the south, where were the highest mountains, to the north. The
mountains exceeded in extent any that now exist, as well in their forests, as
in height, and in beauty. These are the words of Plato in describing the
situation of this most richly endowed and delightful Atlantic Island. It
now remains for me to do my duty, which is to explain what has been said more
clearly and from it to deduce the situation of the island.
From what Plato
says that this island had a port near the mouth of the strait of the pillars of
Hercules, that it was larger than Asia and Africa together, and that it
extended to the south, I gather three things clearly towards the understanding
of all that invites attention. The first is that the Atlantic Island
began less than two leagues from the mouth of the strait, if more it was only a
little more. The coast of the island then turned north close to that of
Spain, and was joined to the island of Cadiz or Gadiz,
or Caliz, as it is now called. I affirm this
for two reasons, one by authority and the other by conjectural
demonstration. The authority is that Plato in his Critias,
telling how Neptune distributed the sovereignty of the island among his ten
sons, said that the second son was called in the mother tongue “Gadirum,” which in Greek we call “Eumelo.”
To this son he gave the extreme parts of the island near the columns of
Hercules, and from his name the place was called Gadiricum which is Caliz. By demonstration we see, and I
have seen with my own eyes, more than a league out at sea and in the neighbourhood of the island of Caliz,
under the water, the remains of very large edifices of a cement which is almost
imperishable, an evident sign that this island was once much larger, which
corroborates the narrative of Critias in Plato.
The second point is that the Atlantic Island was larger than Asia and
Africa. From this I deduce its size, which is incredible or at least
immense. It would give the island 2300 leagues of longitude, that is from
east to west. For Asia has 1500 leagues in a straight line from Malacca
which is on its eastern front, to the boundary of Egypt; and Africa has 800
leagues from Egypt to the end of the Atlantic mountains or “Montes Claros”
facing the Canary Islands; which together make 2300 leagues of longitude.
If the island was larger it would be more in circuit. Round the coast it
would have 7100 leagues, for Asia is 5300 and Africa 2700 leagues in circuit, a
little more or less, which together makes 7100 leagues, and it is even said
that it was more.
Having considered
the measurement of its great size we come to the third point, which is the true
position over which this great island extended. Plato says that the
position of the island extended to the south; opposite to the north. From
this we should understand that, the front conterminous with Spain from the
strait of Gibraltar to Cadiz thence extended westward, making a curve along the
coast of Barbary or Africa, but very close to it, between west and south, which
is what sailors call south-west. For if it was opposite to north, which
is between east and north, called north-east, it must necessarily have its
direction in the said south-west, west-south-west, or south-south-west.
It would include and incorporate the Canary Islands which, according to this
calculation, would be part of it, and from thence the land trended
south-west. As regards the south, it would extend rather more to the
south and south-south-west, finally following the route by which we go when we
sail from Spain to the Indies, forming a continent or main land with these
western Indies of Castille, joining on to them by the parts stretching
south-west, and west-south-west, a little more or less from the Canaries.
Thus there was sea on one side and on the other of this land, that is on the
north and south, and the Indies united with it, and they were all one.
The proof of this is that if the Atlantic Island had 2300 leagues of longitude,
and the distance of Cadiz to the mouth of the river Marañón or
Orellana and Trinidad, on the coast of Brazil, is, not more than 1000, 900, or
1100 leagues, being the part where this land joined to America, it clearly
appears that, to complete the complement of 2300 leagues, we have to include in
the computation all the rest of the land from the mouth of the Marañón and Brazil to the South Sea, which is
what they now call America. Following this course it would come to
Coquimbo. Counting what is still wanting, this would be much less than
2300 leagues. Measuring the circumference, the island was more than 7100
leagues round, because that is about the circumference of Asia and Africa by
their coasts. If this land is joined to the other, which in fact it was
in conformity with the description, it would have a much greater circuit, for
even now these parts of the western Indies, measured by compass, and latitude,
have more than 7100 leagues.
From all this it
may be inferred that the Indies of Castille formed a continent with the
Atlantic Island, and consequently that the same Atlantic Island, which extended
from Cadiz over the sea we traverse to the Indies, and which all cosmographers
call the Atlantic Ocean because the Atlantic Island was in it, over which we
now navigate, was land in ancient times. Finally we shall relate the
sequel, first giving an account of the sphere at that time and of the
inhabitants.
IV. FIRST
INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD AND PRINCIPALLY OF THE ATLANTIC ISLAND.
Having described
the four parts of the world, for of Catigara, which is
the fifth, we shall not speak except in its place which the ancients assigned
to it, it will be right to come to the races which peopled them. All of
which I have to treat has to be personal and heathen history. The chief
value and perfection of history consists in its accuracy, thoroughly sifting
each event, verifying the times and periods of what happened so that no doubt
may remain of what passed. It is in this way that I desire to write the
truth in so far as my ability enables me to do so respecting a thing so ancient
as the first peopling of these new lands. I wish, for the better
illustration of the present history, to precede it with the foundations that
cannot be denied, counting the time in conformity with the chronology of the
Hebrews in the days before our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and the times after his most holy nativity according to the counting used by
our mother the holy church, not making account of the calculations of Chaldean
or Egyptian interpreters.
Thus, passing over
the first age from Adam to the Deluge, which covers 1656 years, we will begin
from the second age, which is that of the patriarch Noah, second universal
father of mortals. The divine scriptures show us that eight persons were
saved from the flood, in the ark. Noah and his wife Terra or Vesta, named
from the first fire lighted by crystal for the first sacrifice as Berosus would have; and his three sons to wit, Cam and his
wife Cataflua, Sem and his wife Prusia or Persia, Japhet and his wife Fun a, as
we read in the register of the chronicles. The names of some of these
people remain, and to this day we can see clearly whence they were derived, as
the Hebrews from Heber, the Assyrians from Amur, but most of them have been so
changed that human intelligence is insufficient to investigate by this
way. Besides the three sons, Noah had others after the flood.
The descendants of
these men having multiplied and become very numerous, Noah divided the world
among his first sons that they might people it, and then embarked on the Euxine
Sea as we gather from Xenophon. The giant Noah then navigated along the
Mediterranean Sea, as Filon says
and Annius repeats, dividing the
whole land among his sons. He gave it in charge to Sem to people Asia
from the Nile to the eastern Indies, with some of the sons he got after the
flood. To Cam he gave Africa from the Rinocoruras to the straits of Gibraltar with some more of the sons. Europe was chosen
for Japhet to people with the rest of the sons begotten after the flood, who
were all the sons of Tuscan, whence descend the Tadescos, Alemanes, and the nations adjacent to them.
In this voyage
Noah founded some towns and colonies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea,
and remained in them for ten years, until 112 years after the universal deluge.
He ordered his daughter Araxa to remain in Armenia
where the ark rested, with her husband and children, to people that
country. Then he, with the rest of his companions, went to Mesopotamia
and settled. There Nembrot was raised up for
king, of the descendants of Cam. This Nembrot,
says Berosus, built Babylon 130 years after the
flood. The sons of Sem elected for their king, Jektan,
son of Heber. Those of Japhet chose Fenec for
their king, called Assenes by Moses. There were
300,000 men under him only 310 years after the deluge. Each king, with
his companions, set out to people the part of the world chosen for them by the
patriarch Noah. It is to be noted that, although Noah divided the parts
of the world among his three sons and their descendants, many of them did not
keep to the boundaries. For some of one lineage settled on the lands of
another brother. Nembrot, being of the line of
Cam, remained in the parts of Sem, and many others were mixed together in the
same way.
Thus the three
parts of the world were peopled by these and their descendants, of whom I do
not propose to treat in detail, for our plan is to proceed in our narrative
until we come to the inhabitants of the Atlantic Island, the subject of this
history. This was so near Spain that, according to the common fame, Caliz used to be so close to the main land in the direction
of the port of Santa Maria, that a plank would serve as a bridge to pass from
the island to Spain. So that no one can doubt that the inhabitants of
Spain, Jubal and his descendants, peopled that land, as well as the inhabitants
of Africa which was also near. Hence it was called the Atlantic Island
from having been peopled by Atlas, the giant and very wise astrologer who first
settled Mauritania now called Barbary, as Godefridus and all the chronicles teach us. This Atlas was the son of Japhet by the
nymph Asia, and grandson of Noah. For this there is no authority except
the above, corroborated by the divine Plato as I began by explaining, and it
will be necessary to seek his help to give the reader such evidence as merits
belief respecting the inhabitants of this Atlantic Island.
V. INHABITANTS OF
THE ATLANTIC ISLAND.
We have indicated
the situation of the Atlantic Island and those who, in conformity with the general
peopling of the world, were probably its first inhabitants, namely the early
Spaniards and the first Mauritanian vassals of the King Atlas. This
wonderful history was almost forgotten in ancient times, Plato alone having
preserved it, as has already been related in its place, and which should again
be consulted for what remains. Plato, in Critias,
says that to Neptune’s share came the Atlantic Island, and that he had ten
sons. He divided the whole island amongst them, which before and in his
time was called the empire of the floating islands, as Volaterranius tells us. It was divided by Neptune into ten regions or kingdoms.
The chief one, called Venus, he gave to his eldest son named Atlantis, and
appointed him sovereign of the whole island; which consequently took the name
of Atlantica, and the sea Atlantic, a name which it
retains to this day. The second son, named Gadirun,
received the part which lies nearest to Spain and which is now Caliz. To the third son Neptune gave a share.
His name was Amferes, the fourth’s Eutoctenes, the seventh’s Alusipo,
the eighth’s Mestores, the ninth’s Azaen, the tenth’s Diaprepem.
These and their descendants reigned for many ages, holding the lordships, by
the sea, of many other islands, which could not have been other than Hayti, which we call Santo Domingo, Cuba and others, also
peopled by emigrants from the Atlantic Island. They also held sway over
Africa as far as Egypt, and over Europe to Tirrenia and Italy.
The lineage of
Atlas extended in a grand succession of generations, and his kingdom was ruled
in succession by the firstborns. They possessed such a copious supply of
riches that none of the natives had seen it all, and that no new comers could realise it. This land abounded in all that is
necessary for sustaining human life, pasture, timber, drugs, metals, wild
beasts and birds, domestic animals including a great number of elephants, most
fragrant perfumes, liquors, flowers, fruits, wine, and all the vegetables used
for food, many dates, and other things for presents. That island produced
all things in great profusion. In ancient times it was sacred, beautiful,
admirable and fertile, as well as of vast extent. In it were extensive
kingdoms, sumptuous temples, palaces calling forth great admiration, as is seen
from the relation of Plato respecting the metropolis of the island which
exceeded Babylon, Troy, or Rome, with all their rich buildings, curious and
well-constructed forts, and even the seven wonders of the world concerning
which the ancients sing so much. In the chief city of this empire there
was a port to which so many ships and merchants resorted from all parts, that
owing to the vast concourse a great and continual noise caused the residents to
be thunderstruck. The number of these Atlantics ready for war was so great that in the capital city alone they had an ordinary
garrison of 60,000 soldiers, always distributed among farms, each farm
measuring 100 furlongs. The rest inhabited the woods and other places,
and were innumerable. They took to war 10,000 two-horse chariots each
containing eight armed men, with six slingers and stone throwers on either
side. For the sea they had 200,000 boats with four men in each, making
800,000 men for the sea-service alone. This was quite necessary owing to
the great number of subject nations which had to be governed and kept in
obedience.
The rest which
Plato relates on this subject will be discussed in the sequel, for I now
proceed to our principal point, which is to establish the conclusion that as
these people carried their banners and trophies into Europe and Africa which
are not contiguous, they must have overrun the Indies of Castille and peopled
them, being part of the same main land. They used much policy in their
rule. But at the end of many ages, by divine permission, and perhaps
owing to their sins, it happened that a great and continuous earthquake, with
an unceasing deluge, perpetual by day and night, opened the earth and swallowed
up those warlike and ambitious Atlantic men. The Atlantic Island remained
absorbed beneath that great sea, which from that cause continued to be
unnavigable owing to the mud of the absorbed island in solution, a wonderful
thing.
This special flood
may be added to the five floods recorded by the ancients. These are the
general one of Moses, the second in Egypt of which Xenophon makes mention, the
third flood in Achaia of Greece in the time of Ogyges Atticus,
described by Isidore as happening in the days of Jacob, the fourth in Thessaly
in the time of Deucalion and Pyrrha, in the days of Moses according to Isidore,
in 782 as given by Juan Annius. The
fifth flood is mentioned by Xenophon as happening in Egypt in the time of
Proteus. The sixth was this which destroyed so great a part of the
Atlantic Island and sufficed so to separate the part that was left unsubmerged,
that all mortals in Asia, Africa and Europe believed that all were
drowned. Thus was lost the intercourse and commerce of the people of
these parts with those of Europe and Africa, in such sort that all memory of
them would have been lost, if it had not been for the Egyptians, preservers of
the most ancient deeds of men and of nature. The destruction of the
Atlantic Island, over at least 1000 leagues of longitude, was in the time when Aod [Ehud] governed the people of Israel, 1320 years before
Christ and 2162 years after the Creation, according to the Hebrews. I
deduce this calculation from what Plato relates of the conversation between
Solon and the Egyptian priest. For, according to all the chronicles,
Solon lived in the time of Tarquinius Priscus the
King of Rome, Josiah being King of Israel at Jerusalem, before Christ 610
years. From this period until the time when the Atlantics had put a blockade over the Athenians 9000 lunar years had passed which,
referred to solar years, make 869. All added together make the total
given above. Very soon afterwards the deluge must have come, as it is
said to have been in the time of Aod or 748 years
after the general deluge of Noah. This being so it is to be noted that
the isle of Caliz, the Canaries, the Salvages, and
Trinidad must have been parts of the absorbed land.
It may be assumed
that these very numerous nations of Atlantis were sufficient to people those
other lands of the Western Indies of Castille. Other nations also came to
them, and peopled some provinces after the above destruction. Strabo and Solinus say that Ulysses, after the fall of Troy, navigated
westward to Lusitania, founded Lisbon, and, after it had been built, desired to
try his fortune on the Atlantic Ocean by the way we now go to the Indies.
He disappeared, and it was never afterwards known what had become of him.
This is stated by Pero Anton Beuter, a noble
Valencian historian and, as he mentions, this was the opinion of Dante Aligheri, the illustrious Florentine poet. Assuming
this to be correct we may follow Ulysses from island to island until he came to
Yucatan and Campeachy, part of the territory of New Spain. For those of
that land have the Grecian bearing and dress of the nation of Ulysses, they
have many Grecian words, and use Grecian letters. Of this I have myself
seen many signs and proofs. Their name for God is “Teos” which is Greek,
and even throughout New Spain they use the word “Teos” for God. I have
also to say that in passing that way, I found that they anciently preserved an
anchor of a ship, venerating it as an idol, and had a certain genesis in Greek,
which should not be dismissed as absurd at first sight. Indeed there are
a sufficient number of indications to support my conjecture concerning
Ulysses. From thence all those provinces of Mexico, Tabasco, Xalisco, and to the north the Capotecas,
Chiapas, Guatemalas, Honduras, Lasandones, Nicaraguas, Tlaguzgalpas,
as far as Nicoya, Costa Rica, and Veragua.
Moreover Esdras
recounts that those nations which went from Persia by the river Euphrates came
to a land never before inhabited by the human race. Going down this river
there was no way but by the Indian Sea to reach a land where there was no habitation.
This could only have been Catigara, placed in
90 deg. S. by Ptolemy, and according to the navigators sent
by Alexander the Great, 40 days of navigation from Asia. This is the land
which the describers of maps call the unknown land of the south, whence it is
possible to go on settling people as far as the Strait of Magellan to the west
of Catigara, and the Javas, New Guinea,
and the islands of the archipelago of Nombre de
Jesus which I, our Lord permitting, discovered in the South Sea in the year
1568, the unconquered Felipe II reigning as King of Spain and its dependencies
by the demarcation of 180 deg. of longitude.
It may thus be
deduced that New Spain and its provinces were peopled by the Greeks, those of Catigara by the Jews, and those of the rich and most
powerful kingdoms of Peru and adjacent provinces by the Atlantics who were descended from the primeval Mesopotamians and Chaldaeans, peoplers of the world.
These, and other
points with them, which cannot be discussed with brevity, are true historical
reasons, of a quality worthy of belief, such as men of reason and letters may
adopt respecting the peopling of these lands. When we come to consider
attentively what these barbarians of Peru relate of their origin and of the
tyrannical rule of the Incas Ccapacs, and the fables
and extravagances they recount, the truth may be distinguished
from what is false, and how in some of their fables they allude to true facts
which are admitted and held by us as such. Therefore the reader should
peruse with attention and read the most strange and racy history of barbarians
that has, until now, been read of any political nation in the world.
VI. THE FABLE
OF THE ORIGIN OF THESE BARBAROUS INDIANS OF PERU, ACCORDING TO THEIR BLIND
OPINIONS.
As these barbarous
nations of Indians were always without letters, they had not the means of
preserving the monuments and memorials of their times, and those of their
predecessors with accuracy and method. As the devil, who is always
striving to injure the human race, found these unfortunates to be easy of
belief and timid in obedience, he introduced many illusions, lies and frauds,
giving them to understand that he had created them from the first, and
afterwards, owing to their sins and evil deeds, he had destroyed them with a flood,
again creating them and giving them food and the way to preserve it. By
chance they formerly had some notice, passed down to them from mouth to mouth,
which had reached them from their ancestors, respecting the truth of what
happened in former times. Mixing this with the stories told them by the
devil, and with other things which they changed, invented, or added, which may
happen in all nations, they made up a pleasing salad, and in some things worthy
of the attention of the curious who are accustomed to consider and discuss
human ideas.
One thing must be
noted among many others. It is that the stories which are here treated as
fables, which they are, are held by the natives to be as true as we hold the
articles of our faith, and as such they affirm and confirm them with unanimity,
and swear by them. There are a few, however, who by the mercy of God are
opening their eyes and beginning to see what is true and what is false
respecting those things. But we have to write down what they say and not
what we think about it in this part. We shall hear what they hold
respecting their first age, [and afterwards we shall come to the inveterate
and cruel tyranny of the Inca tyrants who oppressed these kingdoms of Peru for
so long. All this is done by order of the most excellent Don Francisco de
Toledo, Viceroy of these kingdoms]. I have collected the information
with much diligence so that this history can rest on attested proofs from the
general testimony of the whole kingdom, old and young, Incas and tributary
Indians.
The natives of
this land affirm that in the beginning, and before this world was created,
there was a being called Viracocha. He created a dark world
without sun, moon or stars. Owing to this creation he was named Viracocha Pachayachachi, which means “Creator of all things.”
And when he had
created the world he formed a race of giants of disproportioned greatness
painted and sculptured, to see whether it would be well to make real men of
that size. He then created men in his likeness as they are now; and they
lived in darkness.
Viracocha ordered these people that they should live
without quarrelling, and that they should know and serve him. He gave
them a certain precept which they were to observe on pain of being confounded
if they should break it. They kept this precept for some time, but it is
not mentioned what it was. But as there arose among them the vices of
pride and covetousness, they transgressed the precept of Viracocha Pachayachachi and falling, through this sin, under his
indignation, he confounded and cursed them. Then some were turned into
stones, others into other things, some were swallowed up by the earth, others
by the sea, and over all there came a general flood which they call unu pachacuti,
which means “water that overturns the land.” They say that it rained 60
days and nights, that it drowned all created things, and that there alone
remained some vestiges of those who were turned into stones, as a memorial of
the event, and as an example to posterity, in the edifices of Pucara, which are
60 leagues from Cuzco.
Some of the
nations, besides the Cuzcos, also say
that a few were saved from this flood to leave descendants for a future
age. Each nation has its special fable which is told by its people, of
how their first ancestors were saved from the waters of the deluge. That
the ideas they had in their blindness may be understood, I will insert only
one, told by the nation of the Canaris, a land of Quito and Tumibamba, 400 leagues from Cuzco and more.
They say that in
the time of the deluge called unu pachacuti there was a mountain named Guasano in the province of Quito and near a town called Tumipampa. The natives still point it out. Up
this mountain went two of the Canaris named Ataorupagui and Cusicayo.
As the waters increased the mountain kept rising and keeping above them in such
a way that it was never covered by the waters of the flood. In this way
the two Canaris escaped. These two, who were brothers,
when the waters abated after the flood, began to sow. One day when they
had been at work, on returning to their hut, they found in it some small loaves
of bread, and a jar of chicha, which is the beverage used in this
country in place of wine, made of boiled maize. They did not know who had
brought it, but they gave thanks to the Creator, eating and drinking of that
provision. Next day the same thing happened. As they marvelled at this mystery, they were anxious to find out
who brought the meals. So one day they hid themselves, to spy out the
bringers of their food. While they were watching they saw two Canari women
preparing the victuals and putting them in the accustomed place. When
about to depart the men tried to seize them, but they evaded their would-be
captors and escaped. The Canaris, seeing the mistake they had
made in molesting those who had done them so much good, became sad and prayed
to Viracocha for pardon for their sins, entreating him to let
the women come back and give them the accustomed meals. The Creator
granted their petition. The women came back and said to the Canaris—“The
Creator has thought it well that we should return to you, lest you should die
of hunger.” They brought them food. Then there was friendship
between the women and the Canari brothers, and one of
the Canari brothers had connexion with one of the women. Then, as the elder brother was drowned in a lake
which was near, the survivor married one of the women, and had the other as a
concubine. By them he had ten sons who formed two lineages of five each,
and increasing in numbers they called one Hanansaya which is the same as to say the upper party, and the other Hurinsaya,
or the lower party. From these all the Canaris that now
exist are descended.
In the same way
the other nations have fables of how some of their people were saved from whom
they trace their origin and descent. But the Incas and most of those of
Cuzco, those among them who are believed to know most, do not say that anyone
escaped from the flood, but that Viracocha began to create men
afresh, as will be related further on. One thing is believed among all
the nations of these parts, for they all speak generally and as well known of the general flood which they call unu pachacuti.
From this we may clearly understand that if, in these parts they have a
tradition of the great flood, this great mass of the floating islands which
they afterwards called the Atlanticas, and now the
Indies of Castille or America must have begun to receive a population
immediately after the flood, although, by their account, the details are
different from those which the true Scriptures teach us. This must have
been done by divine Providence, through the first people coming over the land
of the Atlantic Island, which was joined to this, as has been already
said. For as the natives, though barbarous, give reasons for their very
ancient settlement, by recording the flood, there is no necessity for setting
aside the Scriptures by quoting authorities to establish this origin. We
now come to those who relate the events of the second age after the flood,
which is the subject of the next chapter.
VII. FABLE OF THE
SECOND AGE, AND CREATION OF THE BARBAROUS INDIANS ACCORDING TO THEIR ACCOUNT.
It is related that
everything was destroyed in the flood called unu pachacuti. It must now be known that Viracocha Pachayachachi, when he destroyed that land as has been
already recounted, preserved three men, one of them named Taguapaca,
that they might serve and help him in the creation of new people who had to be
made in the second age after the deluge, which was done in this manner. The
flood being passed and the land dry, Viracocha determined to
people it a second time, and, to make it more perfect, he decided upon creating
luminaries to give it light. With this object he went, with his servants,
to a great lake in the Collao, in which there is an
island called Titicaca, the meaning being “the rock of lead,” of which we shall
treat in the first part. Viracocha went to this island,
and presently ordered that the sun, moon, and stars should come forth, and be
set in the heavens to give light to the world, and it was so. They say
that the moon was created brighter than the sun, which made the sun jealous at
the time when they rose into the sky. So the sun threw over the moon’s
face a handful of ashes, which gave it the shaded colour it now presents. This frontier lake of Chucuito,
in the territory of the Collao, is 57 leagues to the
south of Cuzco. Viracocha gave various orders to his
servants, but Taguapaca disobeyed the commands
of Viracocha. So Viracocha was
enraged against Taguapaca, and ordered the other two
servants to take him, tie him hands and feet, and launch him in a balsa on
the lake. This was done. Taguapaca was
blaspheming against Viracocha for the way he was treated, and
threatening that he would return and take vengeance, when he was carried by the
water down the drain of the same lake, and was not seen again for a long
time. This done, Viracocha made a sacred idol in that
place, as a place for worship and as a sign of what he had there created[29].
Leaving the
island, he passed by the lake to the main land, taking with him the two
servants who survived. He went to a place now called Tiahuanacu in the province of Colla-suyu, and in this place he
sculptured and designed on a great piece of stone, all the nations that he
intended to create. This done, he ordered his two servants to charge
their memories with the names of all tribes that he had depicted, and of the
valleys and provinces where they were to come forth, which were those of the
whole land. He ordered that each one should go by a different road,
naming the tribes, and ordering them all to go forth and people the
country. His servants, obeying the command of Viracocha, set
out on their journey and work. One went by the mountain range or chain
which they call the heights over the plains on the South Sea. The other
went by the heights which overlook the wonderful mountain ranges which we call
the Andes, situated to the east of the said sea. By these roads they
went, saying with a loud voice “Oh you tribes and nations, hear and obey the
order of Ticci Viracocha Pachayachachi, which commands you to go forth, and multiply
and settle the land.” Viracocha himself did the same
along the road between those taken by his two servants, naming all the tribes
and places by which he passed. At the sound of his voice every place
obeyed, and people came forth, some from lakes, others from fountains, valleys,
caves, trees, rocks and hills, spreading over the land and multiplying to form
the nations which are today in Peru.
Others affirm that
this creation of Viracocha was made from the Titicaca site
where, having originally formed some shapes of large strong men which seemed to
him out of proportion, he made them again of his stature which was, as they
say, the average height of men, and being made he gave them life. Thence
they set out to people the land. As they spoke one language previous to
starting, they built those edifices, the ruins of which may still be seen,
before they set out. This was for the residence of Viracocha,
their maker. After departing they varied their languages, noting the
cries of wild beasts, insomuch that, coming across each other afterwards, those
could not understand who had before been relations and neighbours.
Whether it was in
one way or the other, all agree that Viracocha was the creator
of these people. They have the tradition that he was a man of medium
height, white and dressed in a white robe like an alb secured round the waist, and that he carried a staff and a book in his hands.
Besides this they
tell of a strange event; how that Viracocha, after he had created
all people, went on his road and came to a place where many men of his creation
had congregated. This place is now called Cacha.
When Viracocha arrived there, the inhabitants were estranged
owing to his dress and bearing. They murmured at it and proposed to kill
him from a hill that was near. They took their weapons there, and
gathered together with evil intentions against Viracocha. He,
falling on his knees on some plain ground, with his hands clasped, fire from
above came down upon those on the hill, and covered all the place, burning up
the earth and stones like straw. Those bad men were terrified at the
fearful fire. They came down from the hill, and sought pardon from Viracocha for
their sin. Viracocha was moved by compassion. He
went to the flames and put them out with his staff. But the hill remained
quite parched up, the stones being rendered so light by the burning that a very
large stone which could not have been carried on a cart, could be raised easily
by one man. This may be seen at this day, and it is a wonderful sight to
behold this hill, which is a quarter of a league in extent, all burnt up.
It is in the Collao[31].
After this Viracocha continued
his journey and arrived at a place called Urcos, 6
leagues to the south of Cuzco. Remaining there some days he was well
served by the natives of that neighbourhood. At
the time of his departure, he made them a celebrated huaca or
statue, for them to offer gifts to and worship; to which statue the Incas, in
after times, offered many rich gifts of gold and other metals, and above all a
golden bench. When the Spaniards entered Cuzco they found it, and
appropriated it to themselves. It was worth $17,000. The Marquis
Don Francisco Pizarro took it himself, as the share of the General.
Returning to the
subject of the fable, Viracocha continued his journey, working
his miracles and instructing his created beings. In this way he reached
the territory on the equinoctial line, where are now Puerto Viejo and
Manta. Here he was joined by his servants. Intending to leave the
land of Peru, he made a speech to those he had created, apprising them of the
things that would happen. He told them that people would come, who would
say that they were Viracocha their creator, and that they were
not to believe them; but that in the time to come he would send his messengers
who would protect and teach them. Having said this he went to sea with
his two servants, and went travelling over the water as if it was land, without
sinking. For they appeared like foam over the water and the people,
therefore, gave them the name of Viracocha which is the same
as to say the grease or foam of the sea. At the end of some years
after Viracocha departed, they say that Taguapaca,
who Viracocha ordered to be thrown into the lake of Titicaca
in the Collao, as has already been related, came back
and began, with others, to preach that he was Viracocha.
Although at first the people were doubtful, they finally saw that it was false,
and ridiculed them.
This absurd fable
of their creation is held by these barbarians and they affirm and believe it as
if they had really seen it to happen and come to pass.
VIII. THE
ANCIENT BEHETRIAS OF THESE KINGDOMS OF PERU AND THEIR
PROVINCES.
It is important to
note that these barbarians could tell nothing more respecting what happened
from the second creation by Viracocha down to the time of the
Incas. But it may be assumed that, although the land was peopled and full
of inhabitants before the Incas, it had no regular government, nor did it have
natural lords elected by common consent to govern and rule, and who were
respected by the people, so that they were obeyed and received tribute.
On the contrary all the people were scattered and disorganized, living in complete
liberty, and each man being sole lord of his house and estate. In each
tribe there were two divisions. One was called Hanansaya,
which means the upper division, and the other Hurinsaya,
which is the lower division, a custom which continues to this day. These
divisions do not mean anything more than a way to count each other, for their
satisfaction, though afterwards it served a more useful purpose, as will be
seen in its place.
As there were
dissensions among them, a certain kind of militia was organized for defence, in the following way. When it became known
to the people of one district that some from other parts were coming to make
war, they chose one who was a native, or he might be a stranger, who was known
to be a valiant warrior. Often such a man offered himself to aid and to
fight for them against their enemies. Such a man was followed and his
orders were obeyed during the war. When the war was over he became a
private man as he had been before, like the rest of the people, nor did they
pay him tribute either before or afterwards, nor any manner of tax
whatever. To such a man they gave and still give the name of Sinchi which means valiant. They call
such men “Sinchi-cuna” which means “valiant
now” as who should say—“now during the time the war lasts you shall be our
valiant man, and afterwards no “: or another meaning would be simply
“valiant men,” for “cuna” is an adverb of
time, and also denotes the plural. In whichever meaning, it is very
applicable to these temporary captains in the days of behetrias and
general liberty. So that from the general flood of which they have a
tradition to the time when the Incas began to reign, which was 3519 years, all
the natives of these kingdoms lived on their properties without acknowledging
either a natural or an elected lord. They succeeded in preserving, as it
is said, a simple state of liberty, living in huts or caves or humble little
houses. This name of “Sinchi” for those who
held sway only during war, lasted throughout the land until the time of Tupac
Inca Yupanqui, the tenth Inca, who instituted “Curacas” and other officials in the order which will be
fully described in the life of that Inca. Even at the present time they
continue this use and custom in the provinces of Chile and in other parts of
the forests of Peru to the east of Quito and Chachapoyas, where they only obey
a chief during war time, not any special one, but he who is known to be most
valiant, enterprising and daring in the wars. The reader should note that
all the land was private property with reference to any dominion of chiefs, yet
they had natural chiefs with special rights in each province, as for instance
among the natives of the valley of Cuzco and in other parts, as we shall relate
of each part in its place.
IX. THE FIRST
SETTLERS IN THE VALLEY OF CUZCO.
I have explained
how the people of these lands preserved their inheritances and lived on them in
ancient times, and that their proper and natural countries were known.
There were many of these which I shall notice in their places, treating
specially at present of the original settlers of the valley where stands the
present city of Cuzco. For from there we have to trace the origin of the
tyranny of the Incas, who always had their chief seat in the valley of Cuzco.
Before all things
it must be understood that the valley of Cuzco is in 130 deg. 15’
from the equator on the side of the south pole. In this valley, owing to
its being fertile for cultivation, there were three tribes settled from most
ancient times, the first called Sauaseras, the second Antasayas, the third Huallas.
They settled near each other, although their lands for sowing were distinct,
which is the property they valued most in those days and even now. These
natives of the valley lived there in peace for many years, cultivating their
farms.
Some time before
the arrival of the Incas, three Sinchis, strangers to
this valley, the first named Alcabisa, the second Copalimayta, and the third Culunchima,
collected certain companies and came to the valley of Cuzco, where, by consent
of the natives, they settled and became brothers and companions of the original
inhabitants. So they lived for a long time. There was concord
between these six tribes, three native and three immigrant. They relate
that the immigrants came out to where the Incas then resided, as we shall relate
presently, and called them relations. This is an important point with
reference to what happened afterwards.
Before entering
upon the history of the Incas I wish to make known or, speaking more
accurately, to answer a difficulty which may occur to those who have not been
in these parts. Some may say that this history cannot be accepted as
authentic being taken from the narratives of these barbarians, because, having
no letters, they could not preserve such details as they give from so remote an
antiquity. The answer is that, to supply the want of letters, these
barbarians had a curious invention which was very good and accurate. This
was that from one to the other, from fathers to sons, they handed down past
events, repeating the story of them many times, just as lessons are repeated
from a professor’s chair, making the hearers say these historical lessons over
and over again until they were fixed in the memory. Thus each one of the
descendants continued to communicate the annals in the order described with a
view to preserve their histories and deeds, their ancient traditions, the
numbers of their tribes, towns, provinces, their days, months and years, their
battles, deaths, destructions, fortresses and “Sinchis.”
Finally they recorded, and they still record, the most notable things which
consist in their numbers (or statistics), on certain cords called quipu,
which is the same as to say reasoner or accountant. On these cords they
make certain knots by which, and by differences of colour,
they distinguish and record each thing as by letters. It is a thing to be
admired to see what details may be recorded on these cords, for which there are
masters like our writing masters.
Besides this they
had, and still have, special historians in these nations, an hereditary office
descending from father to son. The collection of these annals is due to
the great diligence of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Inca, who sent out a general summons to
all the old historians in all the provinces he had subjugated, and even to many
others throughout those kingdoms. He had them in Cuzco for a long time,
examining them concerning their antiquities, origin, and the most notable
events in their history. These were painted on great boards, and
deposited in the temple of the Sun, in a great hall. There such boards,
adorned with gold, were kept as in our libraries, and learned persons were
appointed, who were well versed in the art of understanding and declaring their
contents. No one was allowed to enter where these boards were kept, except
the Inca and the historians, without a special order of the Inca.
In this way they
took care to have all their past history investigated, and to have records
respecting all kinds of people, so that at this day the Indians generally know
and agree respecting details and important events, though, in some things, they
hold different opinions on special points. By examining the oldest and
most prudent among them, in all ranks of life, who had most credit, I collected
and compiled the present history, referring the sayings and declarations of one
party to their antagonists of another party, for they are divided into parties,
and seeking from each one a memorial of its lineage and of that of the opposing
party. These memorials, which are all in my possession, were compared and
corrected, and ultimately verified in public, in presence of representatives of
all the parties and lineages, under oaths in presence of a judge, and with
expert and very faithful interpreters also on oath, and I thus finished what is
now written. Such great diligence has been observed, because a thing
which is the foundation of the true completion of such a great work as the
establishment of the tyranny of the cruel Incas of this land will make all the
nations of the world understand the judicial and more than legitimate right
that the King of Castille has to these Indies and to other lands adjacent,
especially to these kingdoms of Peru. As all the histories of past events
have been verified by proof, which in this case has been done so carefully and
faithfully by order and owing to the industry of the most excellent Viceroy Don
Francisco de Toledo, no one can doubt that everything in this volume is most
sufficiently established and verified without any room being left for reply or contradiction.
I have been desirous of making this digression because, in writing the history,
I have heard that many entertain the doubts I have above referred to, and it
seemed well to satisfy them once for all.
X. HOW THE INCAS
BEGAN TO TYRANNIZE OVER THE LANDS AND INHERITANCES.
Having explained
that, in ancient times, all this land was owned by the people, it is necessary
to state how the Incas began their tyranny. Although the tribes all lived
in simple liberty without recognising any lord, there
were always some ambitious men among them, aspiring for mastery. They
committed violence among their countrymen and among strangers to subject them
and bring them to obedience under their command, so that they might serve them
and pay tribute. Thus bands of men belonging to one region went to others
to make war and to rob and kill, usurping the lands of others.
As these movements
took place in many parts by many tribes, each one trying to subjugate his
neighbour, it happened that 6 leagues from the valley of Cuzco, at a place
called Paccari-tampu, there were four men with their
four sisters, of fierce courage and evil intentions, although with lofty
aims. These, being more able than the others, understood the
pusillanimity of the natives of those districts and the ease with which they
could be made to believe anything that was propounded with authority or with
any force. So they conceived among themselves the idea of being able to
subjugate many lands by force and deception. Thus all the eight brethren,
four men and four women, consulted together how they could tyrannize over other
tribes beyond the place where they lived, and they proposed to do this by
violence. Considering that most of the natives were ignorant and could
easily be made to believe what was said to them, particularly if they were
addressed with some roughness, rigour and authority,
against which they could make neither reply nor resistance, because they are
timid by nature, they sent abroad certain fables respecting their origin, that
they might be respected and feared. They said that they were the sons
of Viracocha Pachayachachi, the
Creator, and that they had come forth out of certain windows to rule the rest
of the people. As they were fierce, they made the people believe and fear
them, and hold them to be more than men, even worshipping them as gods.
Thus they introduced the religion that suited them. The order of the
fable they told of their origin was as follows.
XI.THE FABLE OF
THE ORIGIN OF THE INCAS OF CUZCO.
All the native
Indians of this land relate and affirm that the Incas Ccapac originated in this way. Six leagues S.S.W. of Cuzco by the road which the
Incas made, there is a place called Paccari-tampu,
which means “the tavern of the dawn” at which there is a hill called Tampu-tocco, meaning “the house of windows.”
It is certain that in this hill there are three windows, one called “Maras-tocco,” the other “Sutic-tocco,”
while that which is in the middle, between these two, was known as “Ccapac-tocco,” which means “the rich window,”
because they say that it was ornamented with gold and other treasures.
From the window called “Maras-tocco” came
forth, without parentage, a tribe of Indians called Maras. There are
still some of them in Cuzco. From the “Sutic-tocco”
came Indians called Tampus, who settled round the
same hill, and there are also men of this lineage still in Cuzco. From
the chief window of “Ccapac-tocco,” came four
men and four women, called brethren. These knew no father nor mother,
beyond the story they told that they were created and came out of the said
window by order of Ticci Viracocha, and
they declared that Viracocha created them to be lords.
For this reason they took the name of Inca, which is the same as lord.
They took “Ccapac” as an additional name because they
came out of the window “Ccapac-tocco,” which
means “rich,” although afterwards they used this term to denote the chief lord
over many.
The names of the
eight brethren were as follows: The eldest of the men, and the one with
the most authority was named MANCO CCAPAC, the second AYAR AUCA, the third AYAR
CACHI, the fourth AYAR Uchú. Of the
women the eldest was called MAMA OCCLO, the second MAMA HUACO, the
third MAMA IPACURA, or, as others say, MAMA CURA, the fourth MAMA RAUA.
The eight brethren,
called Incas, said—“We are born strong and wise, and with the people who will
here join us, we shall be powerful. We will go forth from this place to
seek fertile lands and when we find them we will subjugate the people and take
the lands, making war on all those who do not receive us as their lords,” This,
as they relate, was said by Mama Huaco, one of the
women, who was fierce and cruel. Manco Ccapac,
her brother, was also cruel and atrocious. This being agreed upon between
the eight, they began to move the people who lived near the hill, putting it to
them that their reward would be to become rich and to receive the lands and
estates of those who were conquered and subjugated. For these objects
they moved ten tribes or ayllus, which
means among these barbarians “lineages” or “parties”; the names of which are as
follows:
I. CHAUIN CUZCO
AYLLU of the lineage of AYAR CACHI, of which there are still some in Cuzco, the
chiefs being MARTIN CHUCUMBI, and DON DIEGO HUAMAN PAOCAR.
II. ARAYRACA AYLLU
CUZCO-CALLAN. At present there are of this ayllu JUAN PIZARRO YUPANQUI, DON FRANCISCO
QUISPI, ALONSO TARMA YUPANQUI of the lineage of AYAR Uchú.
III.
TARPUNTAY AYLLU. Of this there are now some in Cuzco.
IV.
HUACAYTAQUI AYLLU. Some still living in Cuzco.
V. SANOC
AYLLU. Some still in Cuzco.
The above five
lineages are HANAN-CUZCO, which means the party of Upper Cuzco.
VI.
SUTIC-TOCCO AYLLU is the lineage which came out of one of the windows called
“SUTIC-TOCCO,” as has been before explained. Of these there are still
some in Cuzco, the chiefs being DON FRANCISCO AVCA MICHO AVRI
SUTIC, and DON ALONSO HUALPA.
VII. MARAS
AYLLU. These are of the men who came forth from the window
“MARAS-TOCCO.” There are some of these now in Cuzco, the chiefs being DON
ALONSO LLAMA OCA, and DON GONZALO AMPURA LLAMA OCA.
VIII.
CUYCUSA AYLLU. Of these there are still some in Cuzco, the chief being
CRISTOVAL ACLLARI.
IX. MASCA
AYLLU. Of this there is in Cuzco—JUAN QUISPI.
X. ORO
AYLLU. Of this lineage is DON PEDRO YUCAY.
I say that all
these ayllus have preserved their
records in such a way that the memory of them has not been lost. There
are more of them than are given above, for I only insert the chiefs who are the
protectors and heads of the lineages, under whose guidance they are
preserved. Each chief has the duty and obligation to protect the rest,
and to know the history of his ancestors. Although I say that these live
in Cuzco, the truth is that they are in a suburb of the city which the Indians
call Cayocache and which is known to us as Belem,
from the church of that parish which is that of our Lady of Belem.
Returning to our
subject, all these followers above mentioned marched with Manco Ccapac and the other brethren to seek for land [and to
tyrannize over those who did no harm to them, nor gave them any excuse for war,
and without any right or title beyond what has been stated]. To be
prepared for war they chose for their leaders Manco Ccapac and Mama Huaco, and with this arrangement the
companies of the hill of Tampu-tocco set
out, to put their design into execution.
XII. THE ROAD
WHICH THESE COMPANIES OF THE INCAS TOOK TO THE VALLEY OF CUZCO, AND OF THE
FABLES WHICH ARE MIXED WITH THEIR HISTORY.
The Incas and the
rest of the companies or ayllus set
out from their homes at Tampu-tocco, taking
with them their property and arms, in sufficient numbers to form a good
squadron, having for their chiefs the said Manco Ccapac and Mama Huaco. Manco Ccapac took with him a bird like a falcon, called indi,
which they all worshipped and feared as a sacred, or, as some say, an enchanted
thing, for they thought that this bird made Manco Ccapac their lord and obliged the people to follow him. It was thus that Manco Ccapac gave them to understand, and it was carried in vahídos, always kept in a covered hamper of straw,
like a box, with much care. He left it as an heirloom to his son, and the
Incas had it down to the time of Inca Yupanqui.
In his hand he carried with him a staff of gold, to test the lands which they
would come to.
Marching together
they came to a place called Huana-cancha, four
leagues from the valley of Cuzco, where they remained for some time, sowing and
seeking for fertile land. Here Manco Ccapac had connexion with his sister Mama Occlo,
and she became pregnant by him. As this place did not appear able to
sustain them, being barren, they advanced to another place called Tampu-quiro, where Mama Occlo begot a son named Sinchi Rocca. Having
celebrated the natal feasts of the infant, they set out in search of fertile
land, and came to another place called Pallata, which
is almost contiguous to Tampu-quiro, and there they
remained for some years.
Not content with
this land, they came to another called Hays-quisro, a
quarter of a league further on. Here they consulted together over what
ought to be done respecting their journey, and over the best way of getting rid
of Ayar Cachi, one of the
four brothers. Ayar Cachi was fierce and strong, and very dexterous with the sling. He committed
great cruelties and was oppressive both among the natives of the places they
passed, and among his own people. The other brothers were afraid that the
conduct of Ayar Cachi would
cause their companies to disband and desert, and that they would be left
alone. As Manco Ccapac was prudent, he
concurred with the opinion of the others that they should secure their object
by deceit. They called Ayar Cachi and said to him, “Brother! Know that in Ccapac-tocco we
have forgotten the golden vases called tupac-cusi,
and certain seeds, and the napa [a sacred figure of a llama],
which is our principal ensign of sovereignty.” The napa is
a sheep of the country, the colour white, with a red
body cloth, on the top ear-rings of gold, and on the breast a plate with red
badges such as was worn by rich Incas when they went abroad; carried in front
of all on a pole with a cross of plumes of feathers. This was
called suntur-paucar [the
head-dress of the Inca]. They said that it would be for the good of all,
if he would go back and fetch them. When Ayar Cachi refused to return, his sister Mama Huaco, raising her foot, rebuked him with furious words,
saying, “How is it that there should be such cowardice in so strong a youth as
you are? Get ready for the journey, and do not fail to go to Tampu-tocco, and do what you are ordered.” Ayar Cachi was shamed by these
words. He obeyed and started to carry out his orders. They gave
him, as a companion, one of those who had come with them, named Tampu-chacay, to whom they gave secret orders to kill Ayar Cachi at Tampu-tocco,
and not to return with him. With these orders they both arrived at Tampu-tocco. They had scarcely arrived when Ayar Cachi entered through the
window Ccapac-tocco, to get the things for
which he had been sent. He was no sooner inside than Tampu-chacay,
with great celerity, put a rock against the opening of the window and sat upon
it, that Ayar Cachi might
remain inside and die there. When Ayar Cachi turned to the opening and found it closed he
understood the treason of which the traitor Tampu-chacay had been guilty, and determined to get out if it was possible, to take
vengeance. To force an opening he used such force and shouted so loud
that he made the mountain tremble. With a loud voice he spoke these words
to Tampu-chacay, “Thou traitor! thou who hast done me
so much harm, thinkest thou to convey the news of my
mortal imprisonment? That shall never happen. For thy treason thou
shalt remain outside, turned into a stone.” So it was done, and to this
day they show the stone on one side of the window Ccapac-tocco.
Turn we now to the seven brethren who had remained at Hays-quisro.
The death of Ayar Cachi being known, they were very sorry for what they had done, for, as he was
valiant, they regretted much to be without him when the time came to make war
on any one. So they mourned for him. This Ayar Cachi was so dexterous with a sling and so strong
that with each shot he pulled down a mountain and filled up a ravine.
They say that the ravines, which we now see on their line of march, were made
by Ayar Cachi in hurling
stones.
The seven Incas
and their companions left this place, and came to another called Quirirmanta at the foot of a hill which was afterwards
called Huanacauri. In this place they consulted
together how they should divide the duties of the enterprise amongst
themselves, so that there should be distinctions between them. They
agreed that as Manco Ccapac had had a child by his
sister, they should be married and have children to continue the lineage, and
that he should be the leader. Ayar Uchú was to remain as a huaca for the sake of religion. Ayar Auca, from the position they should select, was to
take possession of the land set apart for him to people.
Leaving this place
they came to a hill at a distance of two leagues, a little more or less, from
Cuzco. Ascending the hill they saw a rainbow, which the natives
call huanacauri. Holding it to be a
fortunate sign, Manco Ccapac said: “Take this
for a sign that the world will not be destroyed by water. We shall arrive
and from hence we shall select where we shall found our city.” Then, first
casting lots, they saw that the signs were good for doing so, and for exploring
the land from that point and becoming lords of it. Before they got to the
height where the rainbow was, they saw a huaca which
was a place of worship in human shape, near the rainbow. They determined
among themselves to seize it and take it away from there. Ayar Uchú offered
himself to go to it, for they said that he was very like it. When Ayar Uchú came
to the statue or huaca, with great
courage he sat upon it, asking it what it did there. At these words
the huaca turned its head to see who
spoke, but, owing to the weight upon it, it could not see. Presently,
when Ayar Uchú wanted
to get off he was not able, for he found that the soles of his feet were
fastened to the shoulders of the huaca.
The six brethren, seeing that he was a prisoner, came to succour him. But Ayar Uchú,
finding himself thus transformed, and that his brethren could not release him,
said to them—“O Brothers, an evil work you have wrought for me. It was
for your sakes that I came where I must remain for ever,
apart from your company. Go! go! happy brethren, I announce to you that
you will be great lords. I, therefore, pray that in recognition of the
desire I have always had to please you, you will honour and venerate me in all your festivals and ceremonies, and that I shall be the
first to whom you make offerings. For I remain here for your sakes.
When you celebrate the huarachico (which
is the arming of the sons as knights) you shall adore me as their father, for I
shall remain here for ever.” Manco Ccapac answered that he would do so, for that it was his
will and that it should be so ordered. Ayar Uchú promised for the youths that he would
bestow on them the gifts of valour, nobility, and
knighthood, and with these last words he remained, turned into stone.
They constituted him the huaca of
the Incas, giving it the name of Ayar Uchú Huanacauri. And
so it always was, until the arrival of the Spaniards, the most venerated huaca, and the one that received the most offerings
of any in the kingdom. Here the Incas went to arm the young knights until
about twenty years ago, when the Christians abolished this ceremony. It
was religiously done, because there were many abuses and idolatrous practices,
offensive and contrary to the ordinances of God our Lord.
XIII. ENTRY OF THE
INCAS INTO THE VALLEY OF CUZCO, AND THE FABLES THEY RELATE CONCERNING IT.
The six brethren
were sad at the loss of Ayar Uchú,
and at the loss of Ayar Cachi;
and, owing to the death of Ayar Cachi,
those of the lineage of the Incas, from that time to this day, always fear to
go to Tampu-tocco, lest they should have to
remain there like Ayar Cachi.
They went down to
the foot of the hill, whence they began their entry into the valley of Cuzco,
arriving at a place called Matahua, where they
stopped and built huts, intending to remain there some time. Here they
armed as knight the son of Manco Ccapac and of Mama Occlo, named Sinchi Rocca, and
they bored his ears, a ceremony which is called huarachico,
being the insignia of his knighthood and nobility, like the custom known among
ourselves. On this occasion they indulged in great rejoicings, drinking
for many days, and at intervals mourning for the loss of their brother Ayar Uchú. It
was here that they invented the mourning sound for the dead, like the cooing of
a dove. Then they performed the dance called Ccapac Raymi, a ceremony of the royal or great
lords. It is danced, in long purple robes, at the ceremonies they
call quicochico, which is when girls come
to maturity, and the huarachico [when
the youths went through their ordeals, or], when they bore the ears of the
Incas, and the rutuchico, when
the Inca’s hair is cut the first time [when a
child reaches the age of one year], and the ayuscay,
which is when a child is born, and they drink continuously for four or five
days.
After this they
were in Matahua for two years, waiting to pass on to
the upper valley to seek good and fertile land. Mama Huaco,
who was very strong and dexterous, took two wands of gold and hurled them
towards the north. One fell, at two shots of an arquebus, into a ploughed
field called Colcapampa and did not drive in well,
the soil being loose and not terraced. By this they knew that the soil
was not fertile. The other went further, to near Cuzco, and fixed well in
the territory called Huanay-pata, where they knew the
land to be fertile. Others say that this proof was made by Manco Ccapac with the staff of gold which he carried himself, and
that thus they knew of the fertility of the land, when the staff sunk in the
land called Huanay-pata, two shots of an arquebus
from Cuzco. They knew the crust of the soil to be rich and close, so that
it could only be broken by using much force.
Let it be by one
way or the other, for all agree that they went trying the land with a pole or
staff until they arrived at this Huanay-pata, when
they were satisfied. They were sure of its fertility, because after
sowing perpetually, it always yielded abundantly, giving more the more it was
sown. They determined to usurp that land by force, in spite of the
natural owners, and to do with it as they chose. So they returned to Matahua.
From that place
Manco Ccapac saw a heap of stones near the site of
the present monastery of Santo Domingo at Cuzco. Pointing it out to his
brother Ayar Auca, he said, “Brother! you remember
how it was arranged between us, that you should go to take possession of the
land where we are to settle. Well! look at that stone.” Pointing
out the stone he continued, “Go thither flying,” for they say that Ayar Auca had developed some wings, “and seating yourself
there, take possession of land seen from that heap of stones. We will
presently come to settle and reside.” When Ayar Auca heard the words of his brother, he opened his wings and flew to that place
which Manco Ccapac had pointed out. Seating
himself there, he was presently turned into stone, and was made the stone of
possession. In the ancient language of this valley the heap was
called cozco, whence that site has had
the name of Cuzco to this day. From this circumstance the Incas had a
proverb which said, “Ayar Auca cuzco huanca,” or, “Ayar Auca a
heap of marble.” Others say that Manco Ccapac gave the name of Cuzco because he wept in that place where he buried his
brother Ayar Cachi.
Owing to his sorrow and to the fertility he gave that name which in the ancient
language of that time signified sad as well as fertile. The first version
must be the correct one because Ayar Cachi was not buried at Cuzco, having died at Ccapac-tocco as has been narrated before.
And this is generally affirmed by Incas and natives.
Five brethren only
remaining, namely Manco Ccapac, and the four sisters,
and Manco Ccapac being the only surviving brother out
of four, they presently resolved to advance to where Ayar Auca had taken possession. Manco Ccapac first
gave to his son Sinchi Rocca a wife named Mama Cuca,
of the lineage of Sanu, daughter of a Sinchi named Sitic-huaman, by whom he afterwards had a son named Sapaca. He also instituted the sacrifice called capa cocha, which
is the immolation of two male and two female infants before the idol Huanacauri, at the time when the Incas were armed as
knights. These things being arranged, he ordered the companies to follow
him to the place where Ayar Auca was.
Arriving on the
land of Huanay-pata, which is near where now stands
the Arco de la plata leading to the Charcas road, he found settled there a nation of Indians
named Huallas, already mentioned. Manco Ccapac and Mama Occlo began to
settle and to take possession of the land and water, against the will of the Huallas. On this business they did many violent and
unjust things. As the Huallas attempted to
defend their lives and properties, many cruelties were committed by Manco Ccapac and Mama Occlo. They
relate that Mama Occlo was so fierce that, having
killed one of the Hualla Indians, she cut him up,
took out the inside, carried the heart and lungs in her mouth, and with
an ayuinto, which is a stone fastened to
a rope, in her hand, she attacked the Huallas with
diabolical resolution. When the Huallas beheld
this horrible and inhuman spectacle, they feared that the same thing would be
done to them, being simple and timid, and they fled and abandoned their
rights. Mama Occlo reflecting on her cruelty,
and fearing that for it they would be branded as tyrants, resolved not to spare
any Huallas, believing that the affair would thus be
forgotten. So they killed all they could lay their hands upon, dragging
infants from their mothers’ wombs, that no memory might be left of these
miserable Huallas.
Having done this
Manco Ccapac advanced, and came within a mile of
Cuzco to the S.E., where a Sinchi named Copalimayta came out to oppose him. We have mentioned
this chief before and that, although he was a late comer, he settled with the
consent of the natives of the valley, and had been incorporated in the nation
of Sauaseray Panaca, natives of the site of Santo
Domingo at Cuzco. Having seen the strangers invading their lands and
tyrannizing over them, and knowing the cruelties inflicted on the Huallas, they had chosen Copalimayta as their Sinchi. He came forth to resist the
invasion, saying that the strangers should not enter his lands or those of the
natives. His resistance was such that Manco Ccapac and his companions were obliged to turn their backs. They returned to Huanay-pata, the land they had usurped from the Huallas. From the sowing they had made they derived a
fine crop of maize, and for this reason they gave the place a name which means
something precious.
After some months
they returned to the attack on the natives of the valley, to tyrannize over
them. They assaulted the settlement of the Sauaseras,
and were so rapid in their attack that they captured Copalimayta,
slaughtering many of the Sauaseras with great
cruelty. Copalimayta, finding himself a
prisoner and fearing death, fled out of desperation, leaving his estates, and
was never seen again after he escaped. Mama Huaco and Manco Ccapac usurped his houses, lands and
people. In this way MANCO CCAPAC, MAMA HUACO,
SINCHI ROCCA, and MANCO SAPACA settled on the site between the two rivers, and
erected the House of the Sun, which they called YNTI-CANCHA. They
divided all that position, from Santo Domingo to the junction of the rivers
into four neighbourhoods or quarters which they
call cancha. They called one QUINTI-CANCHA,
the second CHUMPI-CANCHA, the third SAYRI-CANCHA, and the fourth
YARAMPUY-CANCHA. They divided the sites among themselves, and thus
the city was peopled, and, from the heap of stones of Ayar Auca it was called CUZCO.
XIV. THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANCO CCAPAC AND THE ALCABISAS, RESPECTING THE ARABLE LAND.
It has been said
that one of the natural tribes of this valley of Cuzco was the Alcabisas. At the time when Manco Ccapac settled at Ynti-cancha and seized the
goods of the Sauaseras and Huallas,
the Alcabisas were settled half an arquebus shot from Ynti-canchi, towards the part where Santa Clara now
stands. Manco Ccapac had a plan to spread out
his forces that his tyrannical intentions might not be impeded, so he sent his
people, as if loosely and idly, making free with the land. He took the
lands without distinction, to support his companies. As he had taken
those of the Huallas and Sauaseras,
he wished also to take those of the Alcabisas.
As these Alcabisas had given up some, Manco Ccapac wished and intended to take all or nearly all.
When the Alcabisas saw that the new comers even
entered their houses, they said: “These are men who are bellicose and
unreasonable! they take our lands! Let us set up landmarks on the fields
they have left to us.” This they did, but Mama Huaco said to Manco Ccapac, “let us take all the water from
the Alcabisas, and then they will be obliged to give
us the rest of their land.” This was done and they took away the
water. Over this there were disputes; but as the followers of Manco Ccapac were more and more masterful, they forced the Alcabisas to give up their lands which they wanted, and to
serve them as their lords, although the Alcabisas never voluntarily served Manco Ccapac nor looked upon
him as their lord. On the contrary they always went about saying with
loud voices-to those of Manco Ccapac—“Away! away!
out of our territory.” For this Manco Ccapac was more hard upon them, and oppressed them tyrannically.
Besides the Alcabisas there were other tribes, as we have mentioned
before. These Manco Ccapac and Mama Huaco totally destroyed, and more especially one which
lived near Ynti-cancha, in the nearest land,
called Humanamean, between Ynti-cancha and Cayocachi, where there also lived another native Sinchi named Culunchima.
Manco Ccapac entered the houses and lands of all the
natives, especially of the Alcabisas, condemned their Sinchi to perpetual imprisonment, sending the others
to banishment in Cayocachi, and forcing them to pay
tribute. But they were always trying to free themselves from the tyranny,
as the Alcabisas did later.
Having completed
the yoke over the natives, their goods and persons, Manco Ccapac was now very old. Feeling the approach of death, and fearing that in
leaving the sovereignty to his son, Sinchi Rocca, he
and his successors might not be able to retain it owing to the bad things he
had done and to the tyranny he had established, he ordered that the ten
lineages or companies that had come with him from Tampu-tocco should
form themselves into a garrison or guard, to be always on the watch over the
persons of his son and of his other descendants to keep them safe. They
were to elect the successor when he had been nominated by his father, or
succeeded on the death of his father. For he would not trust the natives
to nominate or elect, knowing the evil he had done, and the force he had used
towards them. Manco Ccapac being now on the
point of death, he left the bird indi enclosed
in its cage, the tupac-yauri or sceptre, the napa and the suntur-paucar the insignia of a prince, [though
tyrant,] to his son Sinchi Rocca that he might
take his place, [and this without the consent or election of any of the
natives].
Thus died Manco Ccapac, according to the accounts of those of his ayllu or
lineage, at the age of 144 years, which were divided in the following
manner. When he set out from Paccari-tampu or Tampu-tocco he was 36 years of age. From
that time until he arrived at the valley of Cuzco, during which interval he was
seeking for fertile lands, there were eight years. For in one place he
stayed one, in another two years, in others more or less until he reached
Cuzco, where he lived all the rest of the time, which was 100 years, as Ccapac or supreme and rich sovereign.
They say that he
was a man of good stature, thin, rustic, cruel though frank, and that in dying
he was converted into a stone of a height of a vara and a half. The stone was preserved with much veneration in the Ynti-cancha until the year 1559 when, the
licentiate Polo Ondegardo being Corregidor of Cuzco, found
it and took it away from where it was adored and venerated by all the Incas, in
the village of Bimbilla near Cuzco.
From this Manco Ccapac were originated the ten ayllus mentioned above. From his time began the idols huauquis,
which was an idol or demon chosen by each Inca for his companion and oracle
which gave him answers. That of Manco Ccapac was the bird indi already
mentioned. This Manco Ccapac ordered, for the
preservation of his memory, the following: His eldest son by his
legitimate wife, who was his sister, was to succeed to the sovereignty.
If there was a second son his duty was to be to help all the other children and
relations. They were to recognize him as the head in all their
necessities, and he was to take charge of their interests, and for this duty
estates were set aside. This party or lineage was called ayllu If
there was no second son, or if there was one who was incapable, the duty was to
be passed on to the nearest and ablest relation. And that those to come
might have a precedent or example, Manco Ccapac made the first ayllu and called
it Chima Panaca Ayllu, which means
the lineage descending from Chima, because the first
to whom he left his ayllu or lineage in charge was named Chima, and Panaca means “to
descend.” It is to be noted that the members of this ayllu always
adored the statue of Manco Ccapac, and not those of
the other Incas, but the ayllus of
the other Incas always worshipped that statue and the others also. It is
not known what was done with the body, for there was only the statue.
They carried it in their wars, thinking that it secured the victories they
won. They also took it to Huanacauri, when they
celebrated the huarachicos of the
Incas. Huayna Ccapac took it with him to Quito
and Cayambis, and afterwards it was brought back to
Cuzco with the dead body of that Inca. There are still those of
this ayllu in Cuzco who preserve the memory of the deeds of
Manco Ccapac. The principal heads of the ayllu are
now Don Diego Chaco, and Don Juan Huarhua Chima. They are Hurin-cuzcos.
Manco Ccapac died in the year 665 of the nativity of
Christ our Lord, Loyba the Goth reigning in Spain,
Constantine IV being Emperor. He lived in the Ynti-cancha,
House of the Sun.
XV. COMMENCES THE
LIFE OF SINCHI ROCCA, THE SECOND INCA.
It has been said
that Manco Ccapac, the first Inca, who tyrannized
over the natives of the valley of Cuzco, only subjugated the Huallas, Alcabisas, Sauaseras, Culunchima, Copalimayta and the others mentioned above, who were all
within the circuit of what is now the city of Cuzco.
To this Manco Ccapac succeeded his son Sinchi Rocca, son also of Mama Occlo, his mother and
aunt. He succeeded by nomination of his father, under the care of
the ayllus who then all lived
together, but not by election of the people, they were all either in flight,
prisoners, wounded or banished, and were all his mortal enemies owing to the
cruelties and robberies exercised upon them by his father Manco Ccapac. Sinchi Rocca was not
a warlike person, and no feats of arms are recorded of him, nor did he sally
forth from Cuzco, either himself or by his captains. He added nothing to
what his father had subjugated, only holding by his ayllus those
whom his father had crushed. He had for a wife Mama Cuca of the town of
Sano by whom he had a son named Lloqui Yupanqui. Lloqui means
left-handed, because he was so. He left his ayllu called Raura Panaca Ayllu of the Hurin-cuzco side. There are some of this ayllu living,
the chiefs being Don Alonso Puscon and Don Diego Quispi. These have the duty of knowing and
maintaining the things and memories of Sinchi Rocca. He lived in Ynti-cancha, the
House of the Sun, and all his years were 127. He succeeded when 108, and
reigned 19 years. He died in the year of the nativity of our Lord Jesus
Christ 675, Wamba being King of Spain, Leo IV Emperor, and Donus Pope. He left an idol of stone shaped like a fish called Huanachiri Amaru,
which during life was his idol or guauqui.
Polo, being Corregidor of Cuzco, found this idol, with the body of Sinchi Rocca, in the village of Bimbilla,
among some bars of copper. The idol had attendants and cultivated lands
for its service.
XVI. THE LIFE OF
LLOQUI YUPANQUI, THE THIRD INCA.
On the death of Sinchi Rocca the Incaship was
occupied by Lloqui Yupanqui,
son of Sinchi Rocca by Mama Cuca his wife. It
is to be noted that, although Manco Ccapac had
ordered that the eldest son should succeed, this Inca broke the rule of his
grandfather, for he had an elder brother named Manco Sapaca,
as it is said, who did not consent, and the Indians do not declare whether he
was nominated by his father. From this I think that Lloqui Yupanqui was not nominated, but Manco Sapaca as the eldest, for so little regard for the natives
or their approval was shown. This being so, it was tyranny against the
natives and infidelity to relations with connivance of the ayllus legionaries; and with the Inca’s favour they could do what they liked, by supporting
him. So Lloqui Yupanqui lived in Ynti-cancha like his
father. He never left Cuzco on a warlike expedition nor performed any
memorable deed, but merely lived like his father, having communication with
some provinces and chiefs. These were Huaman Samo, chief of Huaro, Pachaculla Viracocha, the Ayamarcas of Tampu-cunca, and the Quilliscachis.
One day Lloqui Yupanqui being very sad
and afflicted, the Sun appeared to him in the form of a person and consoled him
by saying—–“Do not be sorrowful, Lloqui Yupanqui, for from you shall descend great Lords,” also,
that he might hold it for certain that he would have male issue. For Lloqui Yupanqui was then very
old, and neither had a son nor expected to have one. This having been
made known, and what the Sun had announced to Lloqui Yupanqui having been published to the people, his relations
determined to seek a wife for him. His brother Manco Sapaca,
understanding the fraternal disposition, sought for a woman who was suitable
for it. He found her in a town called Oma, two leagues from Cuzco, asked
for her from her guardians, and, with their consent, brought her to
Cuzco. She was then married to Lloqui Yupanqui. Her name was Mama Cava, and by her the Inca
had a son named Mayta Ccapac.
This Lloqui did nothing worthy of remembrance. He carried
with him an idol, which was his guauqui called Apu Mayta.
His ayllu is Avayni Panaca Ayllu, because the first who had the charge of this ayllu was
named Avayni. This Inca lived and died in Ynti-cancha. He was 132 years of age, having
succeeded at the age of 21, so that he was sovereign or “ccapac”
for 111 years. He died in 786, Alfonso el Casto being King of Spain and Leo IV Supreme Pontiff.
Some of this ayllu still live at Cuzco. The chiefs are Putisuc Titu Avcaylli, Titu Rimachi, Don Felipe Titu Cunti Mayta,
Don Agustin Cunti Mayta,
Juan Bautista Quispi Cunti Mayta. They are Hurin-cuzcos.
The Licentiate Polo found the body of this Inca with the rest.
XVII. THE LIFE OF
MAYTA CCAPAC, THE FOURTH INCA.
Mayta Ccapac, the fourth Inca, son of Lloqui Yupanqui and his wife Mama Cava, is to those Indians
what Hercules is to us, as regards his birth and acts, for they relate strange
things of him. At the very first the Indians of his lineage, and all the
others in general, say that his father, when he was begotten, was so old and
weak that every one believed he was useless, so that
they thought the conception was a miracle. The second wonder was that his
mother bore him three months after conception, and that he was born strong and
with teeth. All affirm this, and that he grew at such a rate that in one
year he had as much strength and was as big as a boy of eight years or
more. At two years he fought with very big boys, knocked them about and
hurt them seriously. This all looks as if it might be counted with the
other fables, but I write what the natives believe respecting their ancestors,
and they hold this to be so true that they would kill anyone who asserted the
contrary.
They say of this Mayta that when he was of very tender years, he was playing
with some boys of the Alcabisas and Culunchimas, natives of Cuzco, when he hurt many of them
and killed some. And one day, drinking or taking water from a fountain,
he broke the leg of the son of a Sinchi of the Alcabisas, and hunted the rest until they shut themselves
up in their houses, where the Alcabisas lived without
injuring the Incas.
But now the Alcabisas, unable to endure longer the naughtiness of Mayta Ccapac, which he practised under the protection of Lloqui Yupanqui, and the ayllus who
watched over him, determined to regain their liberty and to venture their lives
for it. So they selected ten resolute Indians to go to the House of the
Sun where Lloqui Yupanqui and his son Mayta Ccapac lived, and enter it with the intention of killing them. At the time Mayta Ccapac was in the court
yard of the house, playing at ball with some other boys. When he saw
enemies entering the house with arms, he threw one of the balls he was playing
with, and killed one. He did the same to another, and, attacking the
rest, they all fled. Though the rest escaped, they had received many
wounds, and in this state they went back to their Sinchis of Calunchima and Alcabasa.
The Chiefs, considering the harm Mayta Ccapac had done to the natives when a child, feared that when he was grown up he would destroy them all, and for this reason they resolved to die for their liberty. All the inhabitants of the valley of Cuzco, that had been spared by Manco Ccapac, united to make war on the Incas. This very seriously alarmed Lloqui Yupanqui. He thought he was lost, and reprehended his son Mayta Ccapac, saying, “Son! why hast thou been so harmful to the natives of this valley, so that in my old age I shall die at the hands of our enemies?” As the ayllus, who were in garrison with the Incas, rejoiced more in rapine and disturbances than in quiet, they took the part of Mayta Ccapac and told the old Inca to hold his peace, leaving the matter to his son, so Lloqui Yupanqui took no further steps in reprehending Mayta Ccapac. The Alcabisas and Culunchimas assembled their forces and Mayta Ccapac marshalled his ayllus. There was a battle between the two armies and although it was doubtful for some time, both sides fighting desperately for victory, the Alcabisas and Calunchimas were finally defeated by the troops of Mayta Ccapac. But not for this
did the Alcabisas give up the attempt to free
themselves and avenge their wrongs. Again they challenged Mayta Ccapac to battle, which he
accepted. As they advanced they say that such a hail storm fell over the Alcabisas that they were defeated a third time, and
entirely broken up. Mayta Ccapac imprisoned their Sinchi for the remainder of his
life.
Mayta Ccapac married Mama Tacucaray,
native of the town of Tacucaray, and by her he had a
legitimate son named Ccapac Yupanqui,
besides four others named Tarco Huaman, Apu Cunti Mayta, Queco Avcaylli, and Rocca Yupanqui.
This Mayta Ccapac was warlike, and the
Inca who first distinguished himself in arms after the time of Mama Huaco and Manco Ccapac.
They relate of him that he dared to open the hamper containing the bird indi. This bird, brought by Manco Ccapac from Tampu-tocco,
had been inherited by his successors, the predecessors of Mayta Ccapac, who had always kept it shut up in a hamper or
box of straw, such was the fear they had of it. But Mayta Ccapac was bolder than any of them. Desirous of
seeing what his predecessors had guarded so carefully, he opened the hamper,
saw the bird indi and had some
conversation with it. They say that it gave him oracles, and that after
the interview with the bird he was wiser, and knew better what he should do,
and what would happen.
With all this he
did not go forth from the valley of Cuzco, although chiefs from some distant
nations came to visit him. He lived in Ynti-cancha,
the House of the Sun. He left a lineage called Usca Mayta Panaca Ayllu, and some members of it are
still living in Cuzco. The heads are named Don Juan Tambo Usca Mayta, and Don Baltasar Quiso Mayta. They are Hurin-cuzcos. Mayta Ccapac died at the
age of 112 years, in the year 890 of the nativity of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The Licentiate Polo found his body and idol guauqui with the rest.
XVIII. THE
LIFE OF CCAPAC YUPANQUI, THE FIFTH INCA.
At the time of his
death, Mayta Ccapac named Ccapac Yupanqui as his successor,
his son by his wife Mama Tacucaray. This Ccapac Yupanqui, as soon as he
succeeded to the Incaship, made his brothers swear
allegiance to him, and that they desired that he should be Ccapac.
They complied from fear, for he was proud and cruel. At first he lived
very quietly in the Ynti-cancha. It is
to be noted that although Ccapac Yupanqui succeeded his father, he was not the eldest son. Cunti Mayta, who was older, had an ugly face. His
father had, therefore, disinherited him and named Ccapac Yupanqui as successor to the sovereignty, and Cunti Mayta as high priest.
For this reason Ccapac Yupanqui was not the legitimate heir, although he tyrannically forced his brothers to
swear allegiance to him.
This Inca, it is
said, was the first to make conquests beyond the valley of Cuzco. He
forcibly subjugated the people of Cuyumarca and Ancasmarca, four leagues from Cuzco. A wealthy Sinchi of Ayamarca, from fear,
presented his daughter, named Ccuri-hilpay to the
Inca. Others say that she was a native of Cuzco. The Inca received
her as his wife, and had a son by her named Inca Rocca, besides five other sons
by various women. These sons were named Apu Calla, Humpi, Apu Saca, Apu Chima-chaui, and Uchun-cuna-ascalla-rando. Apu Saca had a
son named Apu Mayta, a very
valiant and famous captain, who greatly distinguished himself in the time of
Inca Rocca and Viracocha Inca, in company with Vicaquirau, another esteemed captain. Besides these Ccapac Yupanqui had another son
named Apu Urco Huaranca. This Ccapac Yupanqui lived 104 years, and was Ccapac for 89 years. He succeeded at the age of 15, and died in the year 980 of
the nativity of our redeemer Jesus Christ. His ayllu or
lineage was and is called Apu Mayta Panaca Ayllu. Several of this lineage are
now living, the principal heads being four in number, namely, Don Cristobal Cusi-hualpa, Don Antonio Picuy,
Don Francisco Cocasaca, and Don Alonso Rupaca. They are Hurin-cuzcos.
The Licentiate Polo found the idol or guaoqui of
this Inca with the body. They were hidden with the rest, to conceal the
idolatrous ceremonies of heathen times.
XIX. THE LIFE OF
INCA ROCCA, THE SIXTH INCA.
When Ccapac Yupanqui died, Inca Rocca,
his son by his wife Ccuri-hilpay, succeeded by
nomination of his father and the guardian ayllus.
This Inca Rocca showed force and valour at the
beginning of his Incaship, for he conquered the
territories of Muyna and Pinahua with great violence and cruelty. They are rather more than four leagues
to the south-south-east of Cuzco. He killed their Sinchis Muyna Pancu, and Huaman-tupac, though some say that Huaman-tupac fled and was never more seen. He did this by the help of Apu Mayta his nephew, and
grandson of Ccapac Yupanqui.
He also conquered Caytomarca, four leagues from
Cuzco. He discovered the waters of Hurin-chacan and those of Hanan-chacan, which is as much as to say
the upper and lower waters of Cuzco, and led them in conduits; so that to this
day they irrigate fields; and his sons and descendants have benefited by them
to this day.
Inca Rocca gave
himself up to pleasures and banquets, preferring to live in idleness. He
loved his children to that extent, that for them he forgot duties to his people
and even to his own person. He married a great lady of the town of Pata-huayllacan, daughter of the Sinchi of that territory, named Soma Inca. Her name was Mama Micay.
From this marriage came the wars between Tocay Ccapac and the Cuzcos as
we shall presently relate. By this wife Inca Rocca had a son named Titu Cusi Hualpa,
and by another name Yahuar-huaccac, and besides this
eldest legitimate son he had four other famous sons named Inca Paucar, Huaman Taysi Inca, and Vicaquirau Inca. The latter was a great warrior, companion in arms with Apu Mayta. These two
captains won great victories and subdued many provinces for Viracocha Inca
and Inca Yupanqui. They were the founders of
the great power to which the Incas afterwards attained.
As the events
which happened in the reign of Inca Rocca touching the Ayamarcas will be narrated in the life of his son, we will not say more of this Inca,
except that, while his ancestors had always lived in the lower part of Cuzco,
and were therefore called Hurin-cuzcos, he
ordered that those who sprang from him should form another party, and be called
Hanan-cuzcos, which means the Cuzcos of the upper part. So that from
this Inca began the party of upper or Hanan-cuzcos,
for presently he and his successors left their residence at the House of the
Sun, and established themselves away from it, building palaces where they
lived, in the upper part of the town. It is to be noted that each Inca
had a special palace in which he lived, the son not wishing to reside in the
palace where his father had lived. It was left in the same state as it
was in when the father died, with servants, relations, ayllus or
heirs that they might maintain it, and keep the edifices in repair. The
Incas and their ayllus were, and still
are Hanan-cuzco; although afterwards, in the time of Pachacuti, these ayllus were
reformed by him. Some say that then were established the two parties
which have been so celebrated in these parts.
Inca Rocca named
his son Vicaquirao as the head of his lineage, and it
is still called after him the Vicaquirao Panaca Ayllu. There are now some of this lineage living in Cuzco, the
principal heads who protect and maintain it being the following: Don
Francisco Huaman Rimachi Hachacoma, and Don Antonio Huaman Mayta. They are Hanan-cuzcos.
Inca Rocca lived 103 years, and died in the year 1088 of the nativity of our
Lord. The Licentiate Polo found his body in the town called Rarapa, kept there with much care and veneration according
to their rites.
XX. THE LIFE OF
TITU CUSI HUALPA, VULGARLY CALLED YAHUAR-HUACCAC.
Titu Cusi Hualpa Inca, eldest son of
Inca Rocca and his wife Mama Micay, had a strange
adventure in his childhood. These natives therefore relate his life from
his childhood, and in the course of it they tell some things of his father, and
of some who were strangers in Cuzco, as follows. It has been related how
the Inca Rocca married Mama Micay by the rites of
their religion. But it must be understood that those of Huayllacan had already promised to give Mama Micay, who was their countrywoman and very beautiful, in
marriage to Tocay Ccapac, Sinchi of the Ayamarcas their
neighbours. When the Ayamarcas saw that the Huayllacans had broken their word, they were furious and
declared war, considering them as enemies. War was carried on, the Huayllacans defending themselves and also attacking the Ayamarcas, both sides committing cruelties, inflicting
deaths and losses, and causing great injury to each other. While this war
was being waged, Mama Micay gave birth to her son Titu Cusi Hualpa.
The war continued for some years after his birth, when both sides saw that they
were destroying each other, and agreed to come to terms, to avoid further
injury. The Ayamarcas, who were the most
powerful, requested those of Huayllacan to deliver
the child Titu Cusi Hualpa into their hands, to do what they liked with
him. On this condition they would desist from further hostilities, but if
it was not complied with, they announced that they would continue a mortal war
to the end. The Huayllacans, fearing this, and
knowing their inability for further resistance, accepted the condition,
although they were uncles and relations of the child. In order to comply
it was necessary for them to deceive the Inca. There was, in the town of
Paulo, a brother of Inca Rocca and uncle of Titu Cusi Hualpa named Inca Paucar. He went or sent messengers to ask Inca Rocca
to think well of sending his nephew Titu Cusi Hualpa to his town of Paulo
in order that, while still a child, he might learn to know and care for his
relations on his mother’s side, while they wanted to make him the heir of their
estates. Believing in these words the Inca Rocca consented that his son
should be taken to Paulo, or the town of Micocancha.
As soon as they had the child in their town the Huayllacans made great feasts in honour of Titu Cusi Hualpa, who was then
eight years old, a little more or less. His father had sent some Incas to
guard him. When the festivities were over, the Huayllacans sent to give notice to the Ayamarcas that, while they
were occupied in ploughing certain lands which they call chacaras, they might come down on the town and carry
off the child, doing with him what they chose, in accordance with the
agreement. The Ayamarcas, being informed, came
at the time and to the place notified and, finding the child Titu Cusi Hualpa alone, they carried it off.
Others say that
this treason was carried out in another way. While the uncle was giving
the child many presents, his cousins, the sons of Inca Paucar,
became jealous and treated with Tocay Ccapac to deliver the child into his hands. Owing to
this notice Tocay Ccapac came. Inca Paucar had gone out to deliver to
his nephew a certain estate and a flock of llamas. Tocay Ccapac, the enemy of Inca Rocca was told by those who
had charge of the boy. He who carried him fled, and the boy was seized
and carried off by Tocay Ccapac.
Be it the one way
or the other, the result was that the Ayamarcas took Titu Cusi Hualpa from the custody of Inca Paucar in the town of Paulo,
while Inca Paucar and the Huayllacans sent the news to Inca Rocca by one party, and with another took up arms against
the Ayamarcas.
XXI. WHAT HAPPENED
AFTER THE AYAMARCAS HAD STOLEN TITU CUSI HUALPA.
When the Ayamarcas and their Sinchi Tocay Ccapac stole the son of
Inca Rocca, they marched off with him. The Huayllacans of Paulopampa, under their Sinchi Paucar Inca, marched in pursuit, coming up to them at
a place called Amaro, on the territory of the Ayamarcas.
There was an encounter between them, one side to recover the child, and the
other to keep their capture. But Paucar was
only making a demonstration so as to have an excuse ready. Consequently
the Ayamarcas were victorious, while the Huayllacans broke and fled. It is said that in this
encounter, and when the child was stolen, all the orejones who
had come as a guard from Cuzco, were slain. The Ayamarcas then took the child to the chief place of their province called Ahuayro-cancha.
Many say that Tocay Ccapac was not personally
in this raid but that he sent his Ayamarcas, who,
when they arrived at Ahuayro-cancha, presented
the child Titu Cusi Hualpa to him, saying, “Look here, Tocay Ccapac, at the prisoner we have brought you.”
The Sinchi received his prize with great satisfaction,
asking in a loud voice if this was the child of Mama Micay,
who ought to have been his wife. Titu Cusi Hualpa, though but a child,
replied boldly that he was the son of Mama Micay and
of the Inca Rocca. Tocay was indignant when he
had heard those words, and ordered those who brought the child as a prisoner to
take him out and kill him. The boy, when he heard such a sentence passed
upon him, was so filled with sadness and fright, that he began to weep from
fear of death. He began to shed tears of blood and with indignation
beyond his years, in the form of a malediction he said to Tocay and the Ayamarcas, “I tell you that as sure as you
murder me there will come such a curse on you and your descendants that you
will all come to an end, without any memory being left of your nation.”
The Ayamarcas and Tocay attentively
considered this curse of the child together with the tears of blood. They
thought there was some great mystery that so young a child should utter such
weighty words, and that the fear of death should make such an impression on him
that he should shed tears of blood. They were in suspense divining what
it portended, whether that the child would become a great man. They
revoked the sentence of death, calling the child Yahuar-huaccac,
which means “weeper of blood,” in allusion to what had taken place.
But although they
did not wish to kill him then and with their own hands, they ordered that he
should lead such a life as that he would die of hunger. Before this they
all said to the child that he should turn his face to Cuzco and weep over it,
because those curses he had pronounced, would fall on the inhabitants of Cuzco,
and so it happened.
This done they
delivered him to the most valiant Indians, and ordered them to take him to
certain farms where flocks were kept, giving him to eat by rule, and so
sparingly that he would be consumed with hunger before he died. He was
there for a year without leaving the place, so that they did not know at Cuzco,
or anywhere else, whether he was dead or alive. During this time Inca
Rocca, being without certain knowledge of his son, did not wish to make war on
the Ayamarcas because, if he was alive, they might
kill him. So he did no more than prepare his men of war and keep ready,
while he enquired for his son in all the ways that were possible.
XXII. HOW IT
BECAME KNOWN THAT YAHUAR-HUACCAC WAS ALIVE.
As the child Yahuar-huaccac was a year among the shepherds without
leaving their huts, which served as a prison, no one knew where he was, because
he could not come forth, being well watched by the shepherds and other
guards. But it so happened that there was a woman in the place called Chimpu Orma, native of the town
of Anta, three leagues from Cuzco. She was a concubine of the Sinchi Tocay Ccapac, and for this reason she had leave to walk about and
go into all parts as she pleased. She was the daughter of the Sinchi of Anta, and having given an account of
the treatment of the child to her father, brothers, and relations, she
persuaded them to help in his liberation. They came on a certain day and,
with the pass given them by Chimpu Orma, the father and relations arranged the escape of Yahuar-huaccac. They stationed themselves behind a
hill. Yahuar-huaccac was to run in a race with
some other boys, to see which could get to the top of the hill first.
When the prince reached the top, the men of Anta, who were hidden
there, took him in their arms and ran swiftly with him to Anta.
When the other boys saw this they quickly gave notice to the valiant guards,
who ran after the men of Anta. They overtook them at the lake
of Huaypon, where there was a fierce battle.
Finally the Ayamarcas got the worst of it, for they
were nearly all killed or wounded. The men of Anta continued
their journey to their town, where they gave many presents to Yahuar-huaccac and much service, having freed him from the
mortal imprisonment in which Tocay Ccapac held him. In this town of Anta the
boy remained a year, being served with much love, but so secretly that his
father Inca Rocca did not know that he had escaped, during all that time.
At the end of a year those of Anta agreed to send messengers
to Inca Rocca to let him know of the safety of his son and heir, because they
desired to know and serve him. The messengers went to Inca Rocca and,
having delivered their message, received the reply that the Inca only knew that
the Ayamarcas had stolen his son. They were
asked about it again and again, and at last Inca Rocca came down from his
throne and closely examined the messengers, that they might tell him more, for
not without cause had he asked them so often. The messengers, being so
persistently questioned by Inca Rocca, related what had passed, and that his
son was free in Anta, served and regaled by the chief who had liberated
him. Inca Rocca rejoiced, promised favours, and
dismissed the messengers with thanks. Inca Rocca then celebrated the
event with feasts and rejoicings.
But not feeling
quite certain of the truth of what he had been told, he sent a poor man seeking
charity to make enquiries at Anta, whether it was all true.
The poor man went, ascertained that the child was certainly liberated, and
returned with the news to Inca Rocca; which gave rise to further rejoicings in
Cuzco. Presently the Inca sent many principal people of Cuzco with
presents of gold, silver, and cloth to the Antas,
asking them to receive them and to send back his son. The Antas replied that they did not want his presents which
they returned, that they cared more that Yahuar-huaccac should remain with them, that they might serve him and his father also, for
they felt much love for the boy. Yet if Inca Rocca wanted his son, he
should be returned on condition that, from that time forwards, the Antas should be called relations of the orejones. When Inca Rocca was made acquainted
with the condition, he went to Anta and conceded what they
asked for, to the Sinchi and his people. For
this reason the Antas were called relations of
the Cuzcos from that time.
Inca Rocca brought
his son Yahuar-huaccac to Cuzco and nominated him
successor to the Incaship, the ayllus and orejones receiving
him as such. At the end of two years Inca Rocca died, and Yahuar-huaccac, whose former name was Titu Cusi Hualpa, remained sole
Inca. Before Inca Rocca died he made friends with Tocay Ccapac, through the mediation of Mama Chicya, daughter of Tocay Ccapac, who married Yahuar-huaccac,
and Inca Rocca gave his daughter Ccuri-Occllo in
marriage to Tocay Ccapac.
XXIII. YAHUAR-HUACCAC
INCA YUPANQUI COMMENCES HIS REIGN ALONE, AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER.
When Yahuar-huaccac found himself in possession of the sole
sovereignty, he remembered the treason with which he had been betrayed by the Huayllacans who sold him and delivered him up to his
enemies the Ayamarcas; and he proposed to inflict an
exemplary punishment on them. When the Huayllacans knew this, they humbled themselves before Yahuar-huaccac,
entreating him to forgive the evil deeds they had committed against him. Yahuar-huaccac, taking into consideration that they were
relations, forgave them. Then he sent a force, under the command of his
brother Vicaquirau, against Mohina and Pinahua, four leagues from Cuzco, who subdued
these places. He committed great cruelties, for no other reason than that
they did not come to obey his will. This would be about 23 years after
the time when he rested in Cuzco. Some years afterwards the town of Mollaca, near Cuzco, was conquered and subjugated by force
of arms.
Yahuar-huaccac had, by his wife Mama Chicya, three legitimate
sons. The eldest was Paucar Ayllu. The
second, Pahuac Hualpa Mayta, was chosen to succeed his father, though he was not
the eldest. The third was named Viracocha, who was afterwards
Inca through the death of his brother. Besides these he had three other
illegitimate sons named Vicchu Tupac because he
subdued the town of Vicchu, Marca-yutu,
and Rocca Inca. As the Huayllacans wanted
Marca-yutu to succeed Yahuar-huaccac,
because he was their relation, they determined to kill Pahuac Hualpa Mayta, who was
nominated to succeed. With this object they asked his father to let him
go to Paulo. Forgetting their former treason, he sent the child to its
grandfather Soma Inca with forty orejones of
the ayllus of Cuzco as his
guard. When he came to their town they killed him, for which the Inca,
his father, inflicted a great punishment on the Huayllacans,
killing some and banishing others until very few were left.
The Inca then went
to the conquest of Pillauya, three leagues from Cuzco
in the valley of Pisac, and to Choyca, an adjacent
place, and to Yuco. After that he oppressed by
force and with cruelties, the towns of Chillincay, Taocamarca, and the Cavinas,
making them pay tribute. The Inca conquered ten places himself or through
his son and captains. Some attribute all the conquests to his son Viracocha.
This Inca was a
man of gentle disposition and very handsome face. He lived 115
years. He succeeded his father at the age of 19, and was sovereign for 96
years. He left an ayllu named Aucaylli Panaca, and some are still living at Cuzco. The principal chiefs who
maintain it are Don Juan Concha Yupanqui, Don Martin Titu Yupanqui, and Don Gonzalo Paucar Aucaylli. They are
Hanan-cuzcos. The body of this Inca has
not been discovered. It is believed that those of the town of Paulo have
it, with the Inca’s guauqui.
XXIV. LIFE
OF VIRACOCHA THE EIGHTH INCA.
As the Huayllacans murdered Pahuac Hualpa Mayta who should have
succeeded his father Yahuar-huaccac, the second
son Viracocha Inca was nominated for the succession, whose
name when a child was Hatun Tupac Inca, younger
legitimate son of Yahuar-huaccac and Mama Chicya. He was married to Mama Runtucaya,
a native of Anta. Once when this Hatun Tupac Inca was in Urcos, a town which is a little
more than five leagues S.S.E. of Cuzco, where there was a sumptuous huaca in honour of Ticci Viracocha, the deity appeared to him in
the night. Next morning he assembled his orejones,
among them his tutor Hualpa Rimachi,
and told them how Viracocha had appeared to him that night,
and had announced great good fortune to him and his descendants. In
congratulating him Hualpa Rimachi saluted him, “O Viracocha Inca.” The rest followed his
example and celebrated this name, and the Inca retained it all the rest of his
life. Others say that he took this name, because, when he was armed as a
knight and had his ears bored, he took Ticci Viracocha as
the godfather of his knighthood. Be it as it may, all that is certain is
that when a child, before he succeeded his father, he was named Hatun Tupac Inca, and afterwards, for the rest of his
life, Viracocha Inca.
After he saw the
apparition in Urcos, the Inca came to Cuzco, and
conceived the plan of conquering and tyrannizing over all the country that
surrounds Cuzco. For it is to be understood that, although his father and
grandfather had conquered and robbed in these directions, as their only object
was rapine and bloodshed, they did not place garrisons in the places they subdued,
so that when the Inca, who had conquered these people, died, they rose in arms
and regained their liberty. This is the reason that we repeat several
times that a place was conquered, for it was by different Incas. For
instance Mohina and Pinahua,
although first overrun by Inca Rocca, were also invaded by Yahuar-huaccac,
and then by Viracocha and his son Inca Yupanqui.
Each town fought so hard for its liberty, both under their Sinchis and without them, that one succeeded in subjugating one and another defeated
another. This was especially the case in the time of the Incas.
Even in Cuzco itself those of one suburb, called Carmenca,
made war on another suburb called Cayocachi. So
it is to be understood that, in the time of the seven Incas preceding Viracocha,
although owing to the power they possessed in the ayllus,
they terrorized those of Cuzco and the immediate neighbourhood,
the subjection only lasted while the lance was over the vanquished, and that
the moment they had a chance they took up arms for their liberty. They
did this at great risk to themselves, and sustained much loss of life, even
those in Cuzco itself, until the time of Viracocha Inca.
This Inca had
resolved to subjugate all the tribes he possibly could by force and
cruelty. He selected as his captains two valiant orejones the
one named Apu Mayta and the
other Vicaquirau, of the lineage of Inca Rocca.
With these captains, who were cruel and impious, he began to subjugate, before
all things, the inhabitants of Cuzco who were not Incas orejones, practising on
them great cruelties and putting many to death. At this time many towns
and provinces were up in arms. Those in the neighbourhood of Cuzco had risen to defend themselves from the orejones Incas
of Cuzco who had made war to tyrannize over them. Others were in arms
with the same motives as the Incas, which was to subdue them if their forces
would suffice. Thus it was that though many Sinchis were elected, their proceedings were confused and without concert, so that each
force was small, and they were all weak and without help from each other.
This being known to Viracocha, it encouraged him to commence his
policy of conquest beyond Cuzco.
Before coming to
treat of the nations which Viracocha Inca conquered, we will
tell of the sons he had. By Mama Runtucaya, his
legitimate wife, he had four sons, the first and eldest Inca Rocca, the second
Tupac Yupanqui, the third Inca Yupanqui,
and the fourth Ccapac Yupanqui.
By another beautiful Indian named Ccuri-chulpa, of
the Ayavilla nation in the valley of Cuzco he also
had two sons, the one named Inca Urco,
the other Inca Socso. The descendants of
Inca Urco, however, say that he was
legitimate, but all the rest say that he was a bastard.
XXV. THE PROVINCES
AND TOWNS CONQUERED BY THE EIGHTH INCA VIRACOCHA.
Viracocha, having named Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau as his
captains, and mustered his forces, gave orders that they should advance to make
conquests beyond the valley of Cuzco. They went to Pacaycacha,
in the valley of Pisac, three leagues and a half from Cuzco. And because
the besieged did not submit at once they assaulted the town, killing the
inhabitants and their Sinchi named Acamaqui. Next the Inca marched against the towns of Mohina, Pinahua, Casacancha, and Runtucancha, five
short leagues from Cuzco. They had made themselves free, although Yahuar-huaccac had sacked their towns. The captains
of Viracocha attacked and killed most of the natives, and
their Sinchis named Muyna Pancu and Huaman Tupac. The
people of Mohina and Pinahua suffered from this war and subsequent cruelties because they said that they
were free, and would not serve nor be vassals to the Incas.
At this time the
eldest son, Inca Rocca, was grown up and showed signs of being a courageous
man. Viracocha, therefore, made him captain-general with Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau as his colleagues. They also took with them Inca Yupanqui,
who also gave hopes owing to the valour he had shown
in the flower of his youth. With these captains the conquests were
continued. Huaypar-marca was taken,
the Ayamarcas were subdued, and Tocay Ccapac and Chihuay Ccapac, who had their seats near Cuzco, were slain.
The Incas next subjugated Mollaca and ruined the town
of Cayto, four leagues from Cuzco, killing its Sinchi named Ccapac Chani They assaulted the towns of Socma and Chiraques, killing their Sinchis named Puma Lloqui and Illacumbi,
who were very warlike chiefs in that time, who had most valorously resisted the
attacks of former Incas, that they might not come from Cuzco to subdue
them. The Inca captains also conquered Calca and Caquia Xaquixahuana, three
leagues from Cuzco, and the towns of Collocte and Camal.
They subdued the people between Cuzco and Quiquisana with the surrounding country, the Papris and other neighbouring places; all within seven or eight leagues
round Cuzco. [In these conquests they committed very great cruelties,
robberies, put many to death and destroyed towns, burning and desolating along
the road without leaving memory of anything.]
As Viracocha was now very old, he
nominated as his successor his bastard son Inca Urco,
without regard to the order of succession, because he was very fond of his
mother. This Inca was bold, proud, and despised others, so that he
aroused the indignation of the warriors, more especially of the legitimate
sons, Inca Rocca, who was the eldest, and of the valiant captains Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau.
These took order to prevent this succession to the Incaship,
preferring one of the other brothers, the best conditioned, who would treat
them well and honourably as they deserved. They
secretly set their eyes on the third of the legitimate sons named Cusi, afterwards called Inca Yupanqui,
because they believed that he was mild and affable, and, besides these
qualities, he showed signs of high spirit and lofty ideas. Apu Mayta was more in favour of this plan than the others, as he desired to have some one to shield him from the fury of Viracocha Inca. Mayta thought that the Inca would kill him because he
had seduced a woman named Cacchon Chicya,
who was a wife of Viracocha. Apu Mayta had spoken of his plan and of his devotion to Cusi, to his colleague Vicaquirau.
While they were consulting how it should be managed, the Chancas of Andahuaylas, thirty leagues from Cuzco, marched
upon that city, as will be narrated in the life of Inca Yupanqui.
Inca Viracocha, from fear of them, fled from Cuzco, and went to a
place called Caquia Xaquixahuana,
where he shut himself up, being afraid of the Chancas.
Here he died after some years, deprived of Cuzco of which his son Cusi had possession for several years before his father’s
death. Viracocha Inca was he who had made the most
extensive conquests beyond Cuzco and, as we may say, he tyrannized anew even as
regards Cuzco, as has been said above.
Viracocha lived 119 years, succeeding at the age of
18. He was Ccapac 101 years. He named
the ayllu, which he left for the continuance of his lineage, Socso Panaca Ayllu, and some are still living
at Cuzco, the heads being Amaru Titu,
Don Francisco Chalco Yupanqui,
Don Francisco Anti Hualpa. They are Hanan-cuzcos.
This Inca was
industrious, and inventor of cloths and embroidered work called in their
language Viracocha-tocapu, and amongst
us brocade. He was rich [for he robbed much] and had
vases of gold and silver. He was buried in Caquia Xaquixahuana and Gonzalo Pizarro, having heard that
there was treasure with the body, discovered it and a large sum of gold.
He burnt the body, and the natives collected the ashes and hid them in a
vase. This, with the Inca’s guauqui,
called Inca Amaru, was found by the
Licentiate Polo, when he was Corregidor of Cuzco.
XXVI. THE LIFE OF
INCA YUPANQUI OR PACHACUTI, THE NINTH INCA.
It is related, in
the life of Inca Viracocha, that he had four legitimate sons.
Of these the third named Cusi, and as surname Inca Yupanqui, was raised to the Incaship by the famous captains Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau, and by the rest of the legitimate
sons, and against the will of his father. In the course of their
intrigues to carry this into effect, the times gave them the opportunity which
they could not otherwise have found, in the march of the Chancas upon Cuzco. It happened in this way.
Thirty leagues to
the west of Cuzco there is a province called Andahuaylas,
the names of the natives of it being Chancas.
In this province there were two Sinchis, [robbers
and cruel tyrants] named Uscovilca and Ancovilca who, coming on an expedition from near Huamanca with some companies of robbers, had settled in the
valley of Andahuaylas, and had there formed a
state. They were brothers. Uscovilca being the elder and principal one, instituted a tribe which he called Hanan-chancas or upper Chancas. Ancovilca formed another tribe called Hurin-chancas or lower Chancas. These chiefs, after death,
were embalmed, and because they were feared for their cruelties in life, were
kept by their people. The Hanan-chancas carried
the statue of Uscovilca with them, in their raids and
wars. Although they had other Sinchis, they
always attributed their success to the statue of Uscovilca,
which they called Ancoallo.
The tribes and
companies of Uscovilca had multiplied prodigiously in
the time of Viracocha. It seemed to them that they were so
powerful that no one could equal them, so they resolved to march from Andahuaylas and conquer Cuzco. With this object they
elected two Sinchis, one named Asto-huaraca, and the other Tomay-huaraca,
one of the tribe of Hanan-chanca, the other of Hurin-chanca. These were to lead them in their
enterprise. The Chancas and their Sinchis were proud and insolent. Setting out from Andahuaylas they marched on the way to Cuzco until they
reached a place called Ichu-pampa, five leagues west of that city, where they
halted for some days, terrifying the neighbourhood and preparing for an advance.
The news spread
terror among the orejones of Cuzco,
for they doubted the powers of Inca Viracocha, who was now very old
and weak. Thinking that the position of Cuzco was insecure, Viracocha called
a Council of his sons and captains Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau. These
captains said to him—“Inca Viracocha! we have understood what you
have proposed to us touching this matter, and how you ought to meet the
difficulty. After careful consideration it appears to us that as you are
old and infirm owing to what you have undergone in former wars, it will not be
well that you should attempt so great a business, dangerous and with victory doubtful,
such as that which now presents itself before your eyes. The wisest
counsel respecting the course you should adopt is that you should leave Cuzco,
and proceed to the place of Chita, and thence to Caquia Xaquixahuana, which is a strong fort, whence you may
treat for an agreement with the Chancas.” They
gave this advice to Viracocha to get him out of Cuzco and give
them a good opportunity to put their designs into execution, which were to
raise Cusi Inca Yupanqui to
the throne. In whatever manner it was done, it is certain that this
advice was taken by the Inca Viracocha. He determined to
leave Cuzco and proceed to Chita, in accordance with their proposal. But
when Cusi Inca Yupanqui found that his father was determined to leave Cuzco, they say that he thus
addressed him, “How father can it fit into your heart to accept such infamous
advice as to leave Cuzco, city of the Sun and of Viracocha, whose
name you have taken, whose promise you hold that you shall be a great lord, you
and your descendants.” Though a boy, he said this with the animated
daring of a man high in honour. The father
answered that he was a boy and that he spoke like one, in talking without
consideration, and that such words were of no value. Inca Yupanqui replied that he would remain where they would be
remembered, that he would not leave Cuzco nor abandon the House of the
Sun. They say that all this was planned by the said captains of Viracocha, Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau, to throw those off their guard who might
conceive suspicion respecting the remaining of Inca Yupanqui in Cuzco. So Viracocha left Cuzco and went
to Chita, taking with him his two illegitimate sons Inca Urco and Inca Socso.
His son Inca Yupanqui remained at Cuzco, resolved to
defend the city or die in its defence. Seven
chiefs remained with him; Inca Rocca his elder and legitimate brother, Apu Mayta, Vicaquirau, Quillis-cacha, Urco Huaranca, Chima Chaui Pata Yupanqui, Viracocha Inca Paucar, and Mircoy-mana the
tutor of Inca Yupanqui.
XXVII. COMING OF
THE CHANCAS AGAINST CUZCO.
At the time when
Inca Viracocha left Cuzco, Asto-huaraca and Tomay-huaraca set out for Ichu-pampa, first
making sacrifices and blowing out the lungs of an animal, which they call calpa. This they did not well understand, from
what happened afterwards. Marching on towards Cuzco, they arrived at a
place called Conchacalla, where they took a
prisoner. From him they learnt what was happening at Cuzco, and he
offered to guide them there secretly. Thus he conducted them half
way. But then his conscience cried out to him touching the evil he was
doing. So he fled to Cuzco, and gave the news that the Chancas were resolutely advancing. The news of this
Indian, who was a Quillis-cachi of Cuzco, made Viracocha hasten
his flight to Chita, whither the Chancas sent their
messengers summoning him to surrender, and threatening war if he refused.
Others say that these were not messengers but scouts and that Inca Viracocha,
knowing this, told them that he knew they were spies of the Chancas,
that he did not want to kill them, but that they might return and tell their
people that if they wanted anything he was there. So they departed and at
the mouth of a channel of water some of them fell and were killed. At
this the Chancas were much annoyed. They said
that the messengers had been ordered to go to Inca Viracocha, and
that they were killed by his captain Quequo Mayta.
While this was
proceeding with the messengers of the Chancas, the Chanca army was coming nearer to Cuzco. Inca Yupanqui made great praying to Viracocha and
to the Sun to protect the city. One day he was at Susurpuquio in great affliction, thinking over the best plan for opposing his enemies, when
there appeared a person in the air like the Sun, consoling him and animating
him for the battle. This being held up to him a mirror in which the
provinces he would subdue were shown, and told him that he would be greater
than any of his ancestors: he was to have no doubt, but to return to the
city, because he would conquer the Chancas who were
marching on Cuzco. With these words the vision animated Inca Yupanqui. He took the mirror, which he carried with
him ever afterwards, in peace or war, and returned to the city, where he began
to encourage those he had left there, and some who came from afar. The
latter came to look on, not daring to declare for either party, fearing the
rage of the conqueror if they should join the conquered side. Inca Yupanqui, though only a lad of 20 or 22 years, provided for
everything as one who was about to fight for his life.
While the Inca Yupanqui was thus engaged the Chancas had been marching, and reached a place very near Cuzco called Cusi-pampa, there being nothing between it and Cuzco but a
low hill. Here the Quillis-cachi was
encountered again. He said that he had been to spy, and that he rejoiced
to meet them. This deceiver went from one side to the other, always
keeping friends with both, to secure the favour of
the side which eventually conquered. The Chancas resumed the march, expecting that there would be no defence.
But the Quillis-cachi, mourning over the destruction
of his country, disappeared from among the Chancas and went to Cuzco to give the alarm. “To arms! to arms!” he shouted,
“Inca Yupanqui. The Chancas are upon you.”
At these words the
Inca, who was not off his guard, mustered and got his troops in order, but he
found very few willing to go forth with him to oppose the enemy, almost all
took to the hills to watch the event. With those who were willing to
follow, though few in number, chiefly the men of the seven Sinchis,
brothers and captains, named above, he formed a small force and came forth to
receive the enemy who advanced in fury and without order. The opposing
forces advanced towards each other, the Chancas attacking the city in four directions. The Inca Yupanqui sent all the succour he could to the assailed points,
while he and his friends advanced towards the statue and standard of Uscovilca, with Asto-huaraca and Tomay-huaraca defending them. Here there
was a bloody and desperate battle, one side striving to enter the city, and the
other opposing its advance. Those who entered by a suburb called Chocos-chacona were valiantly repulsed
by the inhabitants. They say that a woman named Chanan-ccuri-coca here fought like a man, and so valiantly opposed
the Chancas that they were obliged to retire.
This was the cause that all the Chancas who saw it
were dismayed. The Inca Yupanqui meanwhile was
so quick and dexterous with his weapon, that those who carried the statue of Uscovilca became alarmed, and their fear was increased when
they saw great numbers of men coming down from the hills. They say that
these were sent by Viracocha, the creator, as succour for the Inca. The Chancas began to give way,
leaving the statue of Uscovilca, and they say even
that of Ancovilca. Attacking on two sides, Inca
Rocca, Apu Mayta, and Vicaquirau made great havock among the Chancas. Seeing that their only
safety was in flight, they turned their backs, and their quickness in running
exceeded their fierceness in advancing. The men of Cuzco continued the
pursuit, killing and wounding, for more than two leagues, when they
desisted. The Chancas returned to Ichu-pampa,
and the orejones to Cuzco, having
won a great victory and taken a vast amount of plunder which remained in their
hands. The Cuzcos rejoiced at
this victory won with so little expectation or hope. They honoured Inca Yupanqui with many
epithets, especially calling him PACHACUTI, which means “over-turner of the
earth,” alluding to the land and farms which they looked upon as lost by the
coming of the Chancas. For he had made them
free and safe again. From that time he was called Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui.
As soon as the
victory was secure, Inca Yupanqui did not wish to
enjoy the triumph although many tried to persuade him. He wished to give
his father the glory of such a great victory. So he collected the most
precious spoils, and took them to his father who was in Chita, with a
principal orejón named Quillis-cachi Urco Huaranca. By him he sent to ask his father to enjoy
that triumph and tread on those spoils of the enemy, a custom they have as a
sign of victory. When Quillis-cachi Urco Huaranca arrived
before Viracocha Inca, he placed those spoils of the Chancas at his feet with great reverence, saying,
“Inca Viracocha! thy son Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, to whom the Sun has given such a great victory,
vanquishing the powerful Chancas, sends me to salute
you, and says that, as a good and humble son he wishes you to triumph over your
victory and to tread upon these spoils of your enemies, conquered by your hands.”
Inca Viracocha did not wish to tread on them, but said that
his son Inca Urco should do so, as
he was to succeed to the Incaship. Hearing this
the messenger rose and gave utterance to furious words, saying that he did not
come for cowards to triumph by the deeds of Pachacuti.
He added that if Viracocha did not wish to receive this
recognition from so valiant a son, it would be better that Pachachuti should enjoy the glory for which he had worked. With this he returned to
Cuzco, and told Pachacuti what had happened with his
father.
XXVIII. THE SECOND
VICTORY OF PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI OVER THE CHANCAS.
While Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui was
sending the spoil to his father, the Chancas were
recruiting and assembling more men at Ichu-pampa, whence they marched on Cuzco
the first time. The Sinchis Tomay-huaraca and Asto-huaraca began to boast,
declaring that they would return to Cuzco and leave nothing undestroyed.
This news came to Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui.
He received it with courage and, assembling his men, he marched in search of
the Chancas. When they heard that the Incas
were coming, they resolved to march out and encounter them, but the advance of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui was so
rapid that he found the Chancas still at Ichu-pampa.
As soon as the two
forces came in sight of each other, Asto-huaraca,
full of arrogance, sent to Inca Yupanqui to tell him
that he could see the power of the Chancas and the
position they now held. They were not like him coming from the poverty
stricken Cuzco, and if he did not repent the past and become a tributary and
vassal to the Chancas; Asto-huaraca would dye his lance in an Inca’s blood. But Inca Yupanqui was not terrified by the embassy. He
answered in this way to the messenger. “Go back brother and say to Asto-huaraca, your Sinchi,
that Inca Yupanqui is a child of the Sun and guardian
of Cuzco, the city of Ticci Viracocha Pachayachachi, by whose order I am here guarding it.
For this city is not mine but his; and if your Sinchi should wish to own obedience to Ticci Viracocha,
or to me in His name, he will be honourably received. If your Sinchi should see things in
another light, show him that I am here with our friends, and if he should
conquer us he can call himself Lord and Inca. But let him understand that
no more time can be wasted in demands and replies. God (Ticci Viracocha) will give the victory to whom
he pleases.”
With this reply
the Chancas felt that they had profited little by
their boasting. They ran to their arms because they saw Pachacuti closely following the bearer of his reply.
The two armies approached each other in Ichu-pampa, encountered, and mixed
together, the Chancas thrusting with long lances, the
Incas using slings, clubs, axes and arrows, each one defending himself and
attacking his adversary. The battle raged for a long time, without
advantage on either side. At last Pachacuti made a way to where Asto-huaraca was
fighting, attacked him and delivered a blow with his hatchet which cut off the Chanca’s head. Tomay-huaraca was already killed. The Inca caused the heads of these two captains to be
set on the points of lances, and raised on high to be seen by their
followers. The Chancas, on seeing the heads,
despaired of victory without leaders. They gave up the contest and sought
safety in flight. Inca Yupanqui and his army
followed in pursuit, wounding and killing until there was nothing more to do.
This great victory
yielded such rich and plentiful spoils, that Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui proposed to go to where his father was,
report to him the story of the battle and the victory, and to offer him
obedience that he might triumph as if the victory was his own. Loaded
with spoil and Chanca prisoners he went to visit his
father. Some say that it was at a place called Caquia Xaquixahuana, four leagues from Cuzco, others that it
was at Marco, three leagues from Cuzco. Wherever it was, there was a
great ceremony, presents being given, called muchanaco.
When Pachacuti had given his father a full report, he
ordered the spoils of the enemy to be placed at his feet, and asked his father
to tread on them and triumph over the victory. But Viracocha Inca,
still intent upon having Inca Urco for
his successor, desired that the honour offered to him
should be enjoyed by his favourite son. He,
therefore, did not wish to accept the honours for
himself. Yet not wishing to offend the Inca Yupanqui Pachacuti on such a crucial point, he said that he
would tread on the spoils and prisoners, and did so. He excused himself
from going to triumph at Cuzco owing to his great age, which made him prefer to
rest at Caquia Xaquixahuana.
With this reply Pachacuti departed for Cuzco with a great following of
people and riches. The Inca Urco also
came to accompany him, and on the road there was a quarrel in the rear guard
between the men of Urco and those of Pachacuti. Others say that it was an ambush
laid for his brother by Urco and
that they fought. The Inca Pachacuti took no
notice of it, and continued his journey to Cuzco, where he was received with
much applause and in triumph. Soon afterwards, as one who thought of
assuming authority over the whole land and taking away esteem from his father,
as he presently did, he began to distribute the spoils, and confer many favours with gifts and speeches. With the fame of
these grand doings, people came to Cuzco from all directions and many of those
who were at Caquia Xaquixahuana left it and came to the new Inca at Cuzco.
XXIX. THE INCA
YUPANQUI ASSUMES THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TAKES THE FRINGE, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF
HIS FATHER.
When the Inca Yupanqui found himself so strong and that he had been
joined by so many people, he determined not to wait for the nomination of his
father, much less for his death, before he rose with the people of Cuzco with
the further intention of obtaining the assent of those without. With this
object he caused a grand sacrifice to be offered to the Sun in the Inti-cancha or
House of the Sun, and then went to ask the image of the Sun who should be
Inca. The oracle of the devil, or perhaps some Indian who was behind to
give the answer, replied that Inca Yupanqui Pachacuti was chosen and should be Inca. On this
answer being given, all who were present at the sacrifice, prostrated
themselves before Pachacuti, crying out “Ccapac Inca Intip Churin,” which means “Sovereign Lord Child of the Sun.”
Presently they
prepared a very rich fringe of gold and emeralds wherewith to crown him.
Next day they took Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui to the House of the Sun, and when they came to the image of the Sun, which was
of gold and the size of a man, they found it with the fringe, as if offering it
of its own will. First making his sacrifices, according to their custom,
he came to the image, and the High Priest called out in his language “Intip Apu,” which means “Governor
of things pertaining to the Sun.” With much ceremony and great reverence
the fringe was taken from the image and placed, with much pomp, on the forehead
of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui.
Then all called his name and hailed him “Intip Churin Inca Pachacuti,” or “Child
of the Sun Lord, over-turner of the earth.” From that time he was called Pachacuti besides his first name which was Inca Yupanqui. Then the Inca presented many gifts and
celebrated the event with feasts. [He was sovereign Inca without the consent
of his father or of the people, but by those he had gained over to his side by
gifts.]
XXX. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI REBUILDS THE CITY OF CUZCO.
As soon as the
festivities were over, the Inca laid out the city of Cuzco on a better plan;
and formed the principal streets as they were when the Spaniards came. He
divided the land for communal, public, and private edifices, causing them to be
built with very excellent masonry. It is such that we who have seen it,
and know that they did not possess instruments of iron or steel to work with,
are struck with admiration on beholding the equality and precision with which
the stones are laid, as well as the closeness of the points of junction.
With the rough stones it is even more interesting to examine the work and its
composition. As the sight alone satisfies the curious, I will not waste
time in a more detailed description.
Besides this, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui,
considering the small extent of land round Cuzco suited for cultivation,
supplied by art what was wanting in nature. Along the skirts of the hills
near villages, and also in other parts, he constructed very long terraces of
200 paces more or less, and 20 to 30 wide, faced with masonry, and filled with
earth, much of it brought from a distance. We call these terraces andenes, the native name being sucres.
He ordered that they should be sown, and in this way he made a vast increase in
the cultivated land, and in provision for sustaining the companies and
garrisons.
In order that the
precise time of sowing and harvesting might be known, and that nothing might be
lost, the Inca caused four poles to be set up on a high mountain to the east of
Cuzco, about two varas apart, on the
heads of which there were holes, by which the sun entered, in the manner of a
watch or astrolabe. Observing where the sun struck the ground through
these holes, at the time of sowing and harvest, marks were made on the
ground. Other poles were set up in the part corresponding to the west of
Cuzco, for the time of harvesting the maize. Having fixed the positions
exactly by these poles, they built columns of stone for perpetuity in their
places, of the height of the poles and with holes in like places. All
round it was ordered that the ground should be paved; and on the stones certain
lines were drawn, conforming to the movements of the sun entering through the
holes in the columns. Thus the whole became an instrument serving for an
annual time-piece, by which the times of sowing and harvesting were
regulated. Persons were appointed to observe these watches, and to notify
to the people the times they indicated.
To ascertain the
time of the équinoxes there was a
stone column in the open space before the temple of the Sun in the centre of a large circle. This was the Inti-huatana. A line was drawn across from east to
west and they watched when the shadow of the pillar was on the line from
sunrise to sunset and there was no shadow at noon. There is another Inti-huatana at Pisac, and another at Hatun-colla. Inti, the Sun God, huatani, to seize, to tie round, Inti-huatana, a sun circle.]
Besides this, as
he was curious about the things of antiquity, and wished to perpetuate his
name, the Inca went personally to the hill of Tampu-tocco or Paccari-tampu, names for the same thing, and entered
the cave whence it is held for certain that Manco Ccapac and his brethren came when they marched to Cuzco for the first time, as has
already been narrated. After he had made a thorough inspection, he
venerated the locality and showed his feeling by festivals and
sacrifices. He placed doors of gold on the window Ccapac-tocco,
and ordered that from that time forward the locality should be venerated by
all, making it a prayer place and huaca,
whither to go to pray for oracles and to sacrifice.
Having done this
the Inca returned to Cuzco. He ordered the year to be divided into twelve
months, almost like our year. I say almost, because there is some
difference, though slight, as will be explained in its place.
He called a
general assembly of the oldest and wisest men of Cuzco and other parts, who
with much diligence scrutinized and examined the histories and antiquities of
the land, principally of the Incas and their forefathers. He ordered the
events to be painted and preserved in order, as I explained when I spoke of the
method adopted in preparing this history.
XXXI. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI REBUILDS THE HOUSE OF THE SUN AND ESTABLISHES NEW IDOLS IN IT.
Having adorned the
city of Cuzco with edifices, streets, and the other things that have been
mentioned, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui reflected that since the time of Manco Ccapac, none
of his predecessors had done anything for the House of the Sun. He,
therefore, resolved to enrich it with more oracles and edifices to appal ignorant people and produce astonishment, that they
might help in the conquest of the whole land which he intended to subdue, and
in fact he commenced and achieved the subjugation of a large portion of it He
disinterred the bodies of the seven deceased Incas, from Manco Ccapac to Yahuar-huaccac, which
were all in the House of the Sun, enriching them with masks, head-dresses
called chuco, medals, bracelets, sceptres called yauri or champi, and other ornaments of gold. He then
placed them, in the order of their seniority, on a bench with a back, richly
adorned with gold, and ordered great festivals to be celebrated with
representations of the lives of each Inca. These festivals, which are
called purucaya, were continued for more
than four months. Great and sumptuous sacrifices were made to each Inca,
at the conclusion of the representation of his acts and life. This gave
them such authority that it made all strangers adore them, and worship them as
gods. These strangers, when they beheld such majesty, humbled themselves,
and put up their hands to worship or mucha as
they say. The corpses were held in great respect and veneration until the
Spaniards came to this land of Peru.
Besides these
corpses, Pachacuti made two images of gold. He
called one of them Viracocha Pachayachachi.
It represented the creator, and was placed on the right of the image of the
Sun. The other was called Chuqui ylla, representing lightning, placed on the left
of the Sun. This image was most highly venerated by all. Inca Yupanqui adopted this idol for his guauqui,
because he said that it had appeared and spoken in a desert place and had given
him a serpent with two heads, to carry about with him always, saying that while
he had it with him, nothing sinister could happen in his affairs. To
these idols the Inca gave the use of lands, flocks, and servants, especially of
certain women who lived in the same House of the Sun, in the manner of
nuns. These all came as virgins but few remained without having had connexion with the Inca. At least he was so vicious
in this respect, that he had access to all whose looks gave him pleasure, and
had many sons.
Besides this
House, there were some huacas in the
surrounding country. These were that of Huanacauri,
and others called Anahuarqui, Yauira, Cinga, Picol, Pachatopan [to many they made the accursed sacrifices,
which they called Ccapac Cocha, burying
children, aged 5 or 6, alive as offerings to the devil, with many offerings of
vases of gold and silver].
The Inca, they
relate, also caused to be made a great woollen chain
of many colours, garnished with gold plates, and two
red fringes at the end. It was 150 fathoms in length, more or less.
This was used in their public festivals, of which there were four principal
ones in the year. The first was called RAYMI or CCAPAC RAYMI, which was
when they opened the ears of knights at a ceremony called huarachico. The second was called SITUA resembling
our lights of St John. They all ran at midnight with torches to bathe,
saying that they were thus left clean of all diseases. The third was
called YNTI RAYMI, being the feast of the Sun, known as aymuray. In these feasts they took the chain
out of the House of the Sun and all the principal Indians, very richly dressed,
came with it, in order, singing, from the House of the Sun to the Great Square
which they encircled with the chain. This was called moroy urco.
XXXII. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI DEPOPULATES TWO LEAGUES OF COUNTRY NEAR CUZCO.
After Pachacuti had done what has been described in the city, he
turned his attention to the people. Seeing that there were not sufficient
lands for sowing, so as to sustain them, he went round the city at a distance
of four leagues from it, considering the valleys, situation, and villages.
He depopulated all that were within two leagues of the city. The lands of
depopulated villages were given to the city and its inhabitants, and the
deprived people were settled in other parts. The citizens of Cuzco were
well satisfied with the arrangement, for they were given what cost little, and
thus he made friends by presents taken from others, and took as his own the
valley of Tambo [which was not his].
The news of the
enlargement of this city went far and wide, and reached the ears of Viracocha Inca,
retired in Caquia Xaquixahuana.
He was moved to go and see Cuzco. The Inca Yupanqui went for him, and brought him to Cuzco with much rejoicing. He went to
the House of the Sun, worshipped at Huanacauri and
saw all the improvements that had been made. Having seen everything he
returned to his place at Caquia Xaquixahuana,
where he resided until his death, never again visiting Cuzco, nor seeing his
son Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui.
XXXIII. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI KILLS HIS ELDER BROTHER NAMED INCA URCO.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui found himself so powerful with the companies he
had got together by liberal presents to all, that he proposed to subjugate by
their means all the territories he could reach. For this he mustered all
the troops that were in Cuzco, and provided them with arms, and all that was
necessary for war. Affairs being in this state Pachacuti heard that his brother Urco was in a
valley called Yucay, four leagues from Cuzco, and
that he had assembled some people. Fearing that the movement was intended
against him the Inca marched there with his army. His brother Inca Rocca
went with him, who had the reputation of being a great necromancer.
Arriving at a place called Paca in the said valley,
the Inca went out against his brother Urco,
and there was a battle between them. Inca Rocca hurled a stone which
hit Urco on the throat. The
blow was so great that Urco fell
into the river flowing down the ravine where they were fighting. Urco exerted himself and fled, swimming down
the river, with his axe in his hand. In this way he reached a rock called Chupellusca, a league below Tampu,
where his brothers overtook him and killed him.
From thence the
Inca Pachacuti Yupanqui,
with his brother Inca Rocca marched with their troops to Caquia Xaquixahuana to see his father who refused ever to
speak with or see him, owing to the rage he felt at the death of Inca Urco. But Inca Rocca went in, where Viracocha was
and said, “Father! it is not reasonable that you should grieve so much at the
death of Urco, for I killed him in self defence, he having come to kill me. You are not to be
so heavy at the death of one, when you have so many sons. Think no more
of it, for my brother Pachacuti Yupanqui is to be Inca, and I hold that you should favour him
and be as a father to him.” Seeing the resolution of his son Inca
Rocca, Viracocha did not dare to reply or to contradict
him. He dismissed him by saying that that was what he wished, and that he
would be guided by him in everything. With this the Inca Yupanqui and his brother Inca Rocca returned to Cuzco, and
entered the city triumphing over the past victories and over this one.
The triumph was
after this manner. The warriors marched in order, in their companies,
dressed in the best manner possible, with songs and dances, and the captives,
their eyes on the ground, dressed in long robes with many tassels. They
entered by the streets of the city, which were very well adorned to receive
them. They went on, enacting their battles and victories, on account of
which they triumphed. On reaching the House of the Sun, the spoils and
prisoners were thrown on the ground, and the Inca walked over them, trampling
on them and saying—“I tread on my enemies.” The prisoners were silent
without raising their eyes. This order was used in all their
triumphs. At the end of a short time Inca Viracocha died
of grief at the death of Inca Urco,
deprived and despoiled of all honour and
property. They buried his body in Caquia Xaquixahuana.
XXXIV. THE NATIONS
WHICH PACHACUTI INCA SUBJUGATED AND THE TOWNS HE TOOK: AND FIRST OF TOCAY
CCAPAC, SINCHI OF THE AYAMARCAS, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CUYOS.
Near Cuzco there
is a nation of Indians called Ayamarcas who had a
proud and wealthy Sinchi named Tocay Ccapac. Neither he nor his people wished to
come and do reverence to the Inca. On the contrary, he mustered his
forces to attack the Inca if his country was invaded. This being known to
Inca Yupanqui, he assembled his ayllus and other troops. He formed them
into two parties, afterwards called Hanan-cuzcos and Hurin-cuzcos, forming them into a corps, that
united no one might be able to prevail against them. This done he
consulted over what should be undertaken. It was resolved that all should
unite for the conquest of all neighbouring nations. Those who would not submit were to be utterly destroyed; and
first Tocay Ccapac, chief
of the Ayamarcas, was to be dealt with, being
powerful and not having come to do homage at Cuzco. Having united his
forces, the Inca marched against the Ayamarcas and
their Sinchi, and there was a battle at Huanancancha. Inca Yupanqui was victorious, assaulting the villages and killing nearly all the Ayamarcas. He took Tocay Ccapac as a prisoner to Cuzco, where he remained in prison
until his death.
After this Inca Yupanqui took to wife a native of Choco named Mama Anahuarqui. For greater pleasure and enjoyment, away
from business, he went to the town of the Cuyos,
chief place of the province of Cuyo-suyu.
Being one day at a great entertainment, a potter, servant of the Sinchi, without apparent reason, threw a stone or, as some
say, one of the jars which they call ulti,
at the Inca’s head and wounded him. The delinquent, who
was a stranger to the district, was seized and tortured to confess who had
ordered him to do it. He stated that all the Sinchis of Cuyo-suyu, who were Cuyo Ccapac, Ayan-quilalama, and Apu Cunaraqui, had conspired to
kill the Inca and rebel. This was false, for it had been extorted from
fear of the torture or, as some say, he said it because he belonged to a
hostile tribe and wished to do them harm. But the Inca, having heard what
the potter said, ordered all the Sinchis to be killed
with great cruelty. After their deaths he slaughtered the people, leaving
none alive except some children and old women. Thus was that nation
destroyed, and its towns are desolate to this day.
XXXV. THE OTHER
NATIONS CONQUERED BY INCA YUPANQUI, EITHER IN PERSON OR THROUGH HIS BROTHER
INCA ROCCA.
Inca Yupanqui and his brother Inca Rocca, who was very cruel,
had determined to oppress and subdue all the nations who wished to be
independent and would not submit to them. They knew that there were two Sinchis in a town called Ollantay-tampu,
six leagues from Cuzco, the one named Paucar-Ancho
and the other Tocori Tupac, who ruled over the Ollantay-tampus, but would not come to do homage, nor did
their people wish to do so. The Inca marched against them with a large
army and gave them battle. Inca Rocca was severely wounded, but at last
the Ollantay-tampus were conquered. [All were
killed, the place was destroyed so that no memory was left of it] and the
Inca returned to Cuzco.
There was another Sinchi named Illacumpi, chief of
two towns four leagues from Cuzco, called Cugma and Huata. Inca Yupanqui and
Inca Rocca sent to him to do homage, but he replied that he was as good as they
were and free, and that if they wanted anything, they must get it with their
lances. For this answer the Inca made war upon the said Sinchi. He united his forces with those of two other Sinchis, his companions, named Paucar Tupac and Puma Lloqui, and went forth to fight the
Inca. But they were defeated and killed, with nearly all their
people. The Inca desolated that town with fire and sword, and with very
great cruelty. He then returned to Cuzco and triumphed for that victory.
The Inca received
information, after this, that there was a town called Huancara,
11 leagues from Cuzco, ruled by Sinchis named Ascascahuana and Urcu-cuna.
So a message was sent to them, calling upon them to give reverence and
obedience to the Inca and to pay tribute. They replied that they were not
women to come and serve, that they were in their native place, and that if any
one came to seek them they would defend themselves. Moved to anger by
this reply, Inca Yupanqui and Inca Rocca made war,
killed the Sinchis and most of their people and
brought the rest prisoners to Cuzco, to force them into obedience.
Next they marched
to another town called Toguaro, six leagues from Huancara, killing the Sinchi,
named Alca-parihuana, and all the people,
not sparing any but the children, that they might grow and repeople that
land. With similar cruelties in all the towns, the Inca reduced to pay
tribute the Cotabambas, Cotaneras, Umasayus, and Aymaracs,
being the principal provinces of Cunti-suyu.
The Inca then
attacked the province of the Soras, 40 leagues from Cuzco. The natives came
forth to resist, asking why the invaders sought their lands, telling them to
depart or they would be driven out by force. Over this question there was
a battle, and two towns of the Soras were subdued at that time, the one called Chalco, the other Soras. The Sinchi of Chalco was named Chalco-pusaycu,
that of Soras Huacralla. They were taken
prisoners to Cuzco, and there was a triumph over them.
There was another
place called Acos, 10 or 11 leagues from Cuzco.
The two Sinchis of it were named Ocacique and Utu-huasi. These were strongly opposed to
the demands of the Inca and made a very strenuous resistance. The Inca
marched against them with a great army. But he met with serious
difficulty in this conquest, for the Acos defended
themselves most bravely and wounded Pachacuti on the
head with a stone. He would not desist, but it was not until after a long
time that they were conquered. He killed nearly all the natives of Acos, and those who were pardoned and survived after that
cruel slaughter, were banished to the neighbourhood of Huamanca, to a place now called Acos [ Acobamba, the present
capital of the province of Angaraes].
In all these
campaigns which have been described, Inca Rocca was the companion in arms, and
participator in the triumphs of Inca Yupanqui.
It is to be noted that in all the subdued provinces chiefs were placed,
superseding or killing the native Sinchis.
Those who were appointed, acted as guards or captains of the conquered places,
holding office in the Inca’s name and during his
pleasure. In this way the conquered provinces were oppressed and
tyrannized over by the yoke of servitude. A superior was appointed over
all the others who were nominated to each town, as general or governor.
In their language this officer was called Tucuyrico,
which means “he who knows and oversees all.”
Thus in the first
campaign undertaken by Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, after the defeat of the Chancas,
he subdued the country as far as the Soras, 40 leagues to the west of
Cuzco. The other nations, and some in Cunti-suyu,
from fear at seeing the cruelties committed on the conquered, came in to
submit, to avoid destruction. [But they ever submitted against their wills.]
XXXVI. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI ENDOWS THE HOUSE OF THE SUN WITH GREAT WEALTH.
After Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui had
conquered the lands and nations mentioned above, and had triumphed over them,
he came to visit the House of the Sun and the Mama-cuñas or nuns who were there. He assisted
one day, to see how the Mama-cuñas served
the dinner of the Sun. This was to offer much richly cooked food to the
image or idol of the Sun, and then to put it into a great fire on an
altar. The same order was taken with the liquor. The chief of
the Mama-cuñas saluted the
Sun with a small vase, and the rest was thrown on the fire. Besides this
many jars full of that liquor were poured into a trough which had a drain, all
being offerings to the Sun. This service was performed with vessels of
clay. As Pachacuti considered that the material
of the vases was too poor, he presented very complete sets of vases of gold and
silver for all the service that was necessary. To adorn the house more
richly he caused a plate of fine gold to be made, two palmas broad
and the length of the court-yard. He ordered this to be nailed high up on
the wall in the manner of a cornice, passing all round the court-yard. This border or cornice of gold remained there down to the
time of the Spaniards.
XXXVII. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI CONQUERS THE PROVINCE OF COLLA-SUYU.
To the south of
Cuzco there was a province called Colla-suyu or Collao, consisting of plain country, which was very
populous. At the time that Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui was at Cuzco after having conquered the provinces
already mentioned, the Sinchi of Collao was named Chuchi Ccapac or Colla Ccapac, which is all
one. This Chuchi Ccapac increased so much in power and wealth among those nations of Colla-suyu, that he was respected by all the Collas, who called him Inca Ccapac.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui determined to conquer him from a motive of
jealousy, together with all the provinces of the Collao.
With this object he assembled his army and marched on the route to the Collao in order to attack Chuchi Ccapac who waited for him at Hatun-Colla,
a town of the Collao where he resided, 40 leagues
from Cuzco, without having taken further notice of the coming nor of the forces
of Inca Yupanqui. When he came near to Hatun Colla, the Inca sent a
message to Chuchi Colla,
requesting him to serve and obey him or else to prepare for battle, when they
would try their fortunes. This message caused much heaviness to Chuchi Colla, but he replied
proudly that he waited for the Inca to come and do homage to him like the other
nations that had been conquered by him, and that if the Inca did not choose to
do so, he would prepare his head, with which he intended to drink in his
triumph after the victory which he would win if they should come to a battle.
After this reply
Inca Yupanqui ordered his army to approach that of Chuchi Ccapac the next day, which
was drawn up ready to fight. Soon after they came in sight, the two
forces attacked each other, and the battle continued for a long time without
either side gaining any advantage. Inca Yupanqui,
who was very dexterous in fighting, was assisting in every part, giving orders,
combating, and animating his troops. Seeing that the Collas resisted so resolutely, and stood so firmly in the battle, he turned his face
to his men saying in a loud voice: “O Incas of Cuzco! conquerors of all
the land! Are you not ashamed that people so inferior to you, and unequal
in weapons, should be equal to you and resist for so long a time?” With this he
returned to the fight, and the troops, touched by this rebuke, pressed upon
their enemies in such sort that they were broken and defeated. Inca Yupanqui, being an experienced warrior, knew that the
completion of the victory consisted in the capture of Chuchi Ccapac. Although he was fighting, he looked out
for his enemy in all directions and, seeing him in the midst of his people, the
Inca attacked them at the head of his guards, took him prisoner, and delivered
him to a soldier with orders to take him to the camp and keep him safe.
The Inca and his army then completed the victory and engaged in the pursuit,
until all the Sinchis and captains that could be
found were captured. Pachacuti went to Hatun-colla, the residence and seat of government of Chuchi Ccapac, where he remained
until all the provinces which obeyed Chuchi Ccapac, were reduced to obedience, and brought many rich
presents of gold, silver, cloths, and other precious things.
Leaving a garrison
and a governor in the Collao to rule in his name, the
Inca returned to Cuzco, taking Chuchi Ccapac as a prisoner with the others. He entered
Cuzco, where a solemn triumph was prepared. Chuchi Colla and the other Colla prisoners were placed before the Inca’s litter dressed in long
robes covered with tassels in derision and that they might be known.
Having arrived at the House of the Sun, the captives and spoils were offered to
the image of the Sun, and the Inca, or the priest for him, trod on all the
spoils and captives that Pachacuti had taken in the Collao, which was great honour to
the Inca. When the triumph was over, to give it a good finish, the Inca
caused the head of Chuchi Ccapac to be cut off, and put in the house called Llasa-huasi,
with those of the other Sinchis he had killed.
He caused the other Sinchis and captains of Chuchi Ccapac to be given to the
wild beasts, kept shut up for the purpose, in a house called Samca-huasi.
In these conquests Pachacuti was very cruel to the vanquished, and
people were so terrified at the cruelties that they submitted and obeyed from
fear of being made food for wild beasts, or burnt, or otherwise cruelly
tormented rather than resist in arms. It was thus with the people of Cunti-suyu who, seeing the cruelty and power of Inca Yupanqui, humiliated themselves and promised
obedience. It was for the cause and reason stated, and because they were
threatened with destruction if they did not come to serve and obey.
Chuchi Ccapac had subjugated a region more than 160 leagues from
north to south, over which he was Sinchi or, as he
called himself, Ccapac or Colla-Ccapac,
from within 20 leagues of Cuzco as far as the Chichas, with all the
bounds of Arequipa and the sea-coast to Atacama, and the forests of the Musus. For at this time, seeing the violence and
power with which the Inca of Cuzco came down upon those who opposed him,
without pardoning anyone, many Sinchis followed his
example, and wanted to do the same in other parts, where each one lived, so
that all was confusion and tyranny in this kingdom, no one being secure of his
own property. We shall relate in their places, as the occasion offers,
the stories of the Sinchis, tyrants, besides those of
the Incas who, from the time of Inca Yupanqui, began
to get provinces into their power, and tyrannize over the inhabitants.
Inca Yupanqui, as has already been narrated, had given the House
of the Sun all things necessary for its services, besides which, after he came
from Colla-suyu, he presented many things brought
from there for the image of the Sun, and for the mummies of his ancestors which
were kept in the House of the Sun. He also gave them servants and
lands. He ordered that the huacas of
Cuzco should be adopted and venerated in all the conquered provinces, ordaining
new ceremonies for their worship and abolishing the ancient rites. He
charged his eldest legitimate son, named Amaru Tupac
Inca, with the duty of abolishing the huacas which
were not held to be legitimate, and to see that the others were maintained and
received the sacrifices ordered by the Inca. Huayna Yamqui Yupanqui, another son of Inca Yupanqui,
was associated with the heir in this duty.
XXXVIII. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI SENDS AN ARMY TO CONQUER THE PROVINCE OF CHINCHAY-SUYU.
When Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui returned
from the conquest of Colla-suyu and the neighbouring provinces, as has been narrated in the
preceding chapter, he was well stricken in years, though not tired of wars, nor
was his thirst for dominion satisfied. Owing to his age he chose to
remain at Cuzco, as the seat of his government, to establish the lands he had
subdued, in the way which he well knew how to establish. In order to lose
no time in extending his conquests, he assembled his people, from among whom he
chose 70,000 provided with arms and all things necessary for a military
campaign. He nominated his brother, Ccapac Yupanqui, to be Captain-General, giving him for colleagues
another of his brothers named Huayna Yupanqui, and one
of his sons named Apu Yamqui Yupanqui. Among the other special captains in
this army was one named Anco Ayllo of the Chanca nation, who had remained a prisoner in
Cuzco from the time that the Inca conquered the Chanca’s at Cuzco and at Ichu-pampa. He had ever since been sad and brooding,
thinking of a way of escape. But he dissimulated so well that the Inca
treated him as a brother and trusted him. Hence the Inca nominated him as
commander of all the Chancas in the army. For
to each nation the Inca gave a captain from among their own people, because he
would understand how to rule them and they would obey him better. This Anco Ayllo, seeing there was an
opportunity for fulfilling his desire, showed satisfaction at receiving this
commission from the Inca, and promised to do valuable service, as he knew those
nations whose conquest was about to be undertaken. When the army was
ready to march, the Inca gave the Captain-General his own arms of gold, and to
the other captains he gave arms with which to enter the battles. He made
a speech to them, exhorting them to achieve success, showing them the honourable reward they would obtain, and the favours he, as a friend, would show them, if they served in
that war. He gave special orders to Ccapac Yupanqui that he should advance with his conquering army as
far as a province called Yana-mayu, the
boundary of the nation of the Hatun-huayllas, and
that there he should set up the Inca’s boundary pillars, and
he was on no account to advance further. He was to conquer up to that
point and then return to Cuzco, leaving sufficient garrisons in the subjugated
lands. He was also to establish posts at every half league, which they
call chasquis, by means of which the Inca
would be daily informed of what had happened and was being done.
Ccapac Yupanqui set out from Cuzco with these orders, and
desolated all the provinces which did not submit. On arriving at a
fortress called Urco-collac, near Parcos, in the country of Huamanca,
he met with valorous resistance from the inhabitants. Finally he
conquered them. In the battle the Chancas distinguished themselves so that they gained more honour than the Cuzcos orejones and
the other nations.
This news came to
the Inca, who was much annoyed that the Chancas should have distinguished themselves more, and had gained more honour than the Incas. He imagined that it would make
them proud, so he proposed to have them killed. He sent a messenger
ordering Ccapac Yupanqui to
lay a plan for killing all the Chancas in the best
way he could devise, and if he did not kill them, the Inca would kill
him. The runner of the Inca reached Ccapac Yupanqui with this order, but it could not be kept a
secret. It became known to a wife of Ccapac Yupanqui, who was a sister of Anco Ayllo, the captain of the Chancas.
This woman told her brother, who always longed for his liberty, and now was
urgently minded to save his life. He secretly addressed his Chanca soldiers, putting before them the cruel order of the
Inca, and the acquisition of their liberty if they would follow him. They
all agreed to his proposal. When they came to Huarac-tambo,
in the neighbourhood of the city of Huanuco, all the Chancas fled
with their captain Anco Ayllo,
and besides the Chancas other tribes followed this
chief. Passing by the province of Huayllas they
pillaged it, and, continuing their route in flight from the Incas, they agreed
to seek a rugged and mountainous land where the Incas, even if they sought
them, would not be able to find them. So they entered the forests between
Chachapoyas and Huanuco, and went on to the province
of Ruparupa. These are the people who are
settled on the river Pacay and, according to the
received report, thence to the eastward by the river called Cocama which falls
into the great river Marañón. They
were met with by the captain Gomez d’Arias, who
entered by Huanuco, in the time of the Marquis of Canete, in the year 1556. Though Ccapac Yupanqui went in chase of the Chancas,
they were so rapid in their flight that he was unable to overtake them.
In going after
them Ccapac Yupanqui went
as far as Caxamarca, beyond the line he was ordered
not to pass by the Inca. Although he had the order in his mind, yet when
he saw that province of Caxamarca, how populous it
was and rich in gold and silver, by reason of the great Sinchi,
named Gusmanco Ccapac, who
ruled there and was a great tyrant, having robbed many provinces round Caxamarca, Ccapac Yupanqui resolved to conquer it, although he had no
commission from his brother for undertaking such an enterprise. On
commencing to enter the land of Caxamarca, it became
known to Gusmanco Ccapac.
That chief summoned his people, and called upon another Sinchi,
his tributary, named Chimu Ccapac,
chief of the territory where now stands the city of Truxillo on the coast of
Peru. Their combined forces marched against Ccapac Yupanqui, who by a certain ambush, and other
stratagems, defeated, routed and captured the two Sinchis Gusmanco Ccapac and Chimu Ccapac, taking vast
treasure of gold, silver and other precious things, such as gems, and coloured shells, which these natives value more than silver
or gold.
Ccapac Yupanqui collected all the treasure in the square of Caxamarca, where he then was; and when he saw such immense
wealth he became proud and vainglorious, saying that he had gained and acquired
more than his brother the Inca. His arrogance and boasting came to the
ears of his sovereign, who, although he felt it deeply and desired an
opportunity to kill him, dissimulated for a time and waited until the return to
Cuzco. Inca Yupanqui feared that his brother
would rebel, and for this reason he appeared to be pleased before the envoys
sent by Ccapac Yupanqui.
He sent them back with orders that Ccapac Yupanqui should return to Cuzco with the treasure that had
been taken in the war, as well as the principal men of the subdued provinces,
and the sons of Gusmanco Ccapac and Chimu Ccapac. The
great chiefs themselves were to remain, in their territories with a sufficient
garrison to keep those lands obedient to the Inca. On receiving this
order Ccapac Yupanqui set
out for Cuzco with all the treasure, and marched to the capital full of pride
and arrogance. Inca Yupanqui, who himself
subdued so many lands and gained so much honour,
became jealous, as some say afraid, and sought excuses for killing his
brother. When he knew that Ccapac Yupanqui had reached Limatambo,
eight leagues from Cuzco, he ordered his lieutenant-governor named Inca Capon,
to go there and cut off the head of Ccapac Yupanqui. The reasons given were that he had allowed Anco Ayllo to escape, and had
gone beyond the line prescribed. The governor went and, in obedience to
his orders, he killed the Inca’s two brothers Ccapac Yupanqui and Huayna Yupanqui. The Inca ordered the rest to enter Cuzco, triumphing
over their victories. This was done, the Inca treading on the spoils, and
granting rewards. They say that he regretted that his brother had gained
so much honour, and that he wished that he had sent
his son who was to be his successor, named Tupac Inca Yupanqui,
that he might have enjoyed such honour, and that this
jealousy led him to kill his brother.
XXXIX. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI PLANTS MITIMAES IN ALL THE LANDS HE HAD
CONQUERED.
As all the
conquests made by this Inca were attended with such violence and cruelties,
with such spoliation and force, and the people who became his subjects by
acquisition, or to speak more correctly by rapine, were numerous, they obeyed
so long as they felt the force compelling them, and, as soon as they were a little
free from that fear, they presently rebelled and resumed their liberty.
Then the Inca was obliged to conquer them again. Turning many things in
his mind, and seeking for remedies, how he could settle once for all the
numerous provinces he had conquered, at last he hit upon a plan which, although
adapted to the object he sought to attain, and coloured with some appearance of generosity, was really the worst tyranny he
perpetrated. He ordered visitors to go through all the subdued provinces,
with orders to measure and survey them, and to bring him models of the natural
features in clay. This was done. The models and reports were
brought before the Inca. He examined them and considered the mountainous
fastnesses and the plains. He ordered the visitors to look well to what
he would do. He then began to demolish the fastnesses and to have their
inhabitants moved to plain country, and those of the plains were moved to
mountainous regions, so far from each other, and each so far from their native country,
that they could not return to it. Next the Inca ordered the visitors to
go and do with the people what they had seen him do with the models. They
went and did so.
He gave orders to
others to go to the same districts, and, jointly with the tucuricos, to take some young men, with their wives,
from each district. This was done and they were brought to Cuzco from all
the provinces, from one 30, from another 100, more or less according to the
population of each district. These selected people were presented before
the Inca, who ordered that they should be taken to people various parts.
Those of Chinchay-suyu were sent to Anti-suyu, those of Cunti-suyu to Colla-suyu, so far from their native country that they
could not communicate with their relations or countrymen. He ordered that
they should be settled in valleys similar to those in their native land, and
that they should have seeds from those lands that they might be preserved and
not perish, giving them land to sow without stint, and removing the natives.
The Incas called
these colonists mitimaes, which means
“transported” or “moved,” He ordered them to learn the language of the country
to which they were removed, but not to forget the general language, which was
the Quichua, and which he had ordered that all his subjects in all the
conquered provinces must learn and know. With it conversation and
business could be carried on, for it was the clearest and richest of the
dialects. The Inca gave the colonists authority and power to enter the
houses of the natives at all hours, night or day, to see what they said, did or
arranged, with orders to report all to the nearest governor, so that it might
be known if anything was plotted against the government of the Inca, who,
knowing the evil he had done, feared all in general, and knew that no one
served him voluntarily, but only by force. Besides this the Inca put
garrisons into all the fortresses of importance, composed of natives of Cuzco
or the neighbourhood, which garrisons were
called michecrima.
XL.THE COLLAS,
SONS OF CHUCHI CCAPAC, REBEL AGAINST INCA YUPANQUI TO OBTAIN THEIR FREEDOM.
After Inca Yupanqui had celebrated the triumphs and festivities
consequent on the conquest of Chinchay-suyu, and
arranged the system of mitimaes, he
dismissed the troops. He himself went to Yucay,
where he built the edifices, the ruins of which may still be seen. These
being finished, he went down the valley of Yucay to a
place which is now called Tambo, eight leagues from Cuzco, where he erected
some magnificent buildings. The sons of Chuchi Ccapac, the great Sinchi of the Collao, had to labour as captives
at the masonry and other work. Their father, as has already been
narrated, was conquered in the Collao and killed by
the Inca. These sons of Chuchi Ccapac, feeling that they were being vilely treated, and
remembering that they were the sons of so great a man as their father, also
seeing that the Inca had disbanded his army, agreed to risk their lives in
obtaining their freedom. One night they fled, with all the people who
were there, and made such speed that, although the Inca sent after them, they
could not be overtaken. Along the route they took, they kept raising the
inhabitants against the Inca. Much persuasion was not needed, because, as
they were obeying by force, they only sought the first opportunity to
rise. On this favourable chance, many nations
readily rebelled, even those who were very near Cuzco, but principally the Collao and all its provinces.
The Inca, seeing
this, ordered a great army to be assembled, and sought the favour of auxiliaries from Gusmanco Ccapac and Chimu Ccapac. He
collected a great number of men, made sacrifices calpa,
and buried some children alive, which is called capa cocha, to induce their idols to favour them in that war. All being ready, the Inca
nominated two of his sons as captains of the army, valorous men, named the one
Tupac Ayar Manco, the other Apu Paucar Usnu. The Inca
left Cuzco with more than 200,000 warriors, and marched against the sons of Chuchi Ccapac, who also had a
great power of men and arms, and were anxious to meet the Incas and fight for
their lives against the men of Cuzco.
As both were
seeking each other, they soon met, and joined in a stubborn and bloody battle,
in which there was great slaughter, because one side fought for life and
liberty and the other for honour. As those of
Cuzco were better disciplined and drilled, and more numerous than their
adversaries, they had the advantage. But the Collas preferred to die fighting rather than to become captives to one so cruel and
inhuman as the Inca. So they opposed themselves to the arms of the orejones, who, with great cruelties, killed as many
of the Collas as opposed their advance. The
sons of the Inca did great things in the battle, with their own hands, on that
day.
The Collas were defeated, most of them being killed or taken
prisoners. Those who fled were followed to a place called Lampa. There the wounded were cared for, and
the squadrons refreshed. The Inca ordered his two sons, Tupac Ayar Manco and Apu Paucar Usnu, to press onward,
conquering the country as far as the Chichas, where they were to
set up their cairns and return. The Inca then returned to Cuzco, for a
triumph over the victory he had gained.
The Inca arrived
at Cuzco, triumphed and celebrated the victory with festivities. And
because he found that a son had been born to him, he raised him before the Sun,
offered him, and gave him the name of Tupac Inca Yupanqui.
In his name he offered treasures of gold and silver to the Sun, and to the
other oracles and huacas, and also made
the sacrifice of capa cocha. Besides this he made the most solemn and
costly festivals that had ever been known, throughout the land. This was
done because Inca Yupanqui wished that this Tupac
Inca should succeed him, although he had other older and legitimate sons by his
wife and sister Mama Anahuarqui. For, although
the custom of these tyrants was that the eldest legitimate son should succeed,
it was seldom observed, the Inca preferring the one he liked best, or whose
mother he loved most, or he who was the ablest among the brothers.
XLI. AMARU TUPAC
INCA AND APU PAUCAR USNU CONTINUE THE CONQUEST OF THE COLLAO AND AGAIN SUBDUE
THE COLLAS.
As soon as the
Inca returned to Cuzco, leaving his two sons Tupac Amaru and Apu Paucar Usnu in the Callao, those captains set out from Lampa, advancing to Hatun-Colla,
where they knew that the Collas had rallied their
troops to fight the Cuzcos once more,
and that they had raised one of the sons of Chuchi Ccapac to be Inca. The Incas came to the place where
the Collas were awaiting them in arms. They met
and fought valorously, many being killed on both sides. At the end of the
battle the Collas were defeated and their new Inca
was taken prisoner. Thus for a third time were the Collas conquered by the Cuzcos. By order
of the Inca, his sons, generals of the war, left the new Inca of the Collas at Hatun-Colla, as a
prisoner well guarded and re-captured. The
other captains went on, continuing their conquests, as the Inca had ordered, to
the confines of Charcas and the Chichas.
While his sons
prosecuted the war, Pachacuti their father, finished
the edifices at Tambo, and constructed the ponds and pleasure houses of Yucay. He erected, on a hill near Cuzco, called Patallata, some sumptuous houses, and many others in the neighbourhood of the capital. He also made many
channels of water both for use and for pleasure; and ordered all the governors
of provinces who were under his sway, to build pleasure houses on the most
convenient sites, ready for him when he should visit their commands.
While Inca Yupanqui proceeded with these measures, his sons had
completed the conquest of the Collao. When they
arrived in the vicinity of Charcas, the natives of Paria, Tapacari, Cochabambas, Poconas and Charcas retreated to the country of the Chichas and Chuyes, in order to make a combined resistance to the
Incas, who arrived where their adversaries were assembled, awaiting the
attack. The Inca army was in three divisions. A squadron of 5000
men went by the mountains, another of 20,000 by the side of the sea, and the
rest by the direct road. They arrived at the strong position held by the Charcas and their allies, and fought with them. The
Incas were victorious, and took great spoils of silver extracted by those
natives from the mines of Porco. It is to be
noted that nothing was ever known of the 5000 orejones who
entered by the mountains or what became of them. Leaving all these
provinces conquered, and subdued, Amaru Tupac Inca
and Apu Paucar Usnu returned to Cuzco where they triumphed over their
victories, Pachacuti granting them many favours, and rejoicing with many festivals and sacrifices
to idols.
XLII. PACHACUTI INCA
YUPANQUI NOMINATES HIS SON TUPAC INCA YUPANQUI AS HIS SUCCESSOR.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui was now very old; and he determined to nominate a
successor to take his place after his death. He called together the Incas
his relations, of the ayllus of
Hanan-cuzco and Hurin-cuzco and said, “My friends and relations! I am now, as you see, very old, and
I desire to leave you, when my days are over, one who will govern and defend
you from your enemies. Some propose that I should name Amaru Tupac Inca, but it does not appear to me that he has
the qualifications to govern so great a lordship as that which I have
acquired. I, therefore, desire to nominate another with whom you will be
more content.” The relations, in their reply, gave thanks to the Inca,
and declared that they would derive great benefit from his nomination. He
then said that he named his son Tupac Inca, and ordered him to come forth from
the house. He had been there for 15 or 16 years to be brought up, without
any one seeing him except very rarely and as a great favour.
He was now shown to the people, and the Inca presently ordered a fringe of gold
to be placed in the hand of the image of the Sun, with the head-dress
called pillaca-llaytu. After Tupac
Inca had made his obeisance to his father, the Inca and the rest rose and went
before the image of the Sun where they made their sacrifices and offered capa cocha to
that deity. Then they offered the new Inca Tupac Yupanqui,
beseeching the Sun to protect and foster him, and to make him so that all
should hold and judge him to be a child of the Sun and father of his
people. This done the oldest and principal orejones took
Tupac Inca to the Sun, and the priests took the fringe from the hands of the
image, which they call mascapaycha, and
placed it over the head of Tupac Inca Yupanqui until
it rested on his forehead. He was declared Inca Ccapac and seated in front of the Sun on a seat of gold, called duho, garnished with emeralds and other precious
stones. Seated there, they clothed him in the ccapac hongo, placed the suntur paucar in his hand, gave him the other
insignia of Inca, and the priests raised him on their shoulders. When
these ceremonies were completed, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui ordered that his son Tupac Inca should remain shut
up in the House of the Sun, performing the fasts which it is the custom to go
through before receiving the order of chivalry; which ceremony consisted in
opening the ears. The Inca ordered that what had been done should not be
made public until he gave the command to publish it.
XLIII. HOW
PACHACUTI ARMED HIS SON TUPAC INCA.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui found happiness in leaving memory of
himself. With this object he did extraordinary things as compared with
those of his ancestors, in building edifices, celebrating triumphs, not
allowing himself to be seen except as a great favour shown to the people, for as such it was considered, on the day that he
appeared. Then he ordered that no one should come to behold him without
worshipping and bringing something in his hand to offer him. This custom
was continued by all his descendants, and was observed inviolably. [Thus,
from the time of this Pachacuti began an unheard of
and inhuman tyranny in addition to the tyrannies of his ancestors.] As he
was now old and desirous of perpetuating his name, it appeared to him that he
would obtain his desire by giving authority to his son and successor named
Tupac Inca. So the boy was brought up, confined in the House of the Sun
for more than 16 years, seeing no one but his tutors and masters until he was
brought and presented to the Sun, to be nominated as has already been
explained. To invest him at the huarachico the
Inca ordered a new way of giving the order of chivalry. For this he built
round the city four other houses for prayer to the Sun, with much apparatus of
gold idols, huacas and service, for
his son to perambulate these stations after he had been armed as a knight.
Affairs being in
this state, there came to the Inca Pachacuti, his son Amaru Tupac Inca, who had been named by his father as
his successor some years before, because he was the eldest legitimate
son. He said, “Father Inca! I understand that you have a son in the
House of the Sun whom you have ordered to be successor after your own
days. Order that he may be show to me.” The Inca, looking upon this
as boldness on the part of Amaru Tupac, replied, “It
is true, and I desire you and your wife shall be his vassals, and that you
shall serve and obey him as your Lord and Inca.” Amaru replied that he wished to do so, and that for this reason, he desired to see
him and offer sacrifice to him, and that orders should be given to take him
where his brother was. The Inca gave permission for this, Amaru Tupac Inca taking what was necessary for the
ceremony, and being brought to where Tupac Inca was fasting. When Amaru saw him in such majesty of wealth and surroundings,
he fell on his face to the earth, adoring, offering sacrifices and
obedience. On learning that it was his brother, Tupac Inca raised him and
saluted him in the face.
Presently Inca Yupanqui caused the necessary preparations to be made for
investing his son with the order of chivalry. When all was ready, the Inca,
accompanied by all his principal relations and courtiers, went to the House of
the Sun, where they brought out Tupac Inca with great solemnity and pomp.
For they carried with him all the idols of the Sun, Vircocha,
the other huacas, moro-urco.
All being placed in order with such pomp as had never been seen before, they
all went to the great square of the city, in the centre of which a bonfire was made. All relations and friends then killed many
animals, offering them as sacrifices by throwing them into the flames.
They worshipped the heir, offering him rich gifts, the first that brought a
gift being his father. Following the example all the rest adored, seeing
that his father had shown him reverence. Thus did the orejones Incas and all the rest who were
present, seeing that for this they had been called and invited, to bring their
gifts and offer them to their new Inca.
This being done,
the festival called Ccapac Raymi was commenced, being the feast of kings, and
consequently the most solemn festival kept by these people. When the
ceremonies had been performed, they bored the ears of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, which is their mode of investiture into the order
of chivalry and nobility. He was then taken to the stations of the Houses
of the Sun, giving him the weapons and other insignia of war. This being
finished his father the Inca Yupanqui gave him, for
his wife, one of his sisters named Mama Ocllo, who
was a very beautiful woman with much ability and wisdom.
XLIV. PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI SENDS HIS SON TUPAC INCA YUPANQUI TO CONQUER CHINCHAY-SUYU.
The Inca Yupanqui desired that his son should be employed on some
service that would bring him fame, as soon as he had been proclaimed his
successor, and armed as a knight. He had information that Chinchay-suyu was a region where name and treasure might be
acquired, especially from a Sinchi named Chuqui-Sota in Chachapoyas. He, therefore, ordered
all preparations to be made for the conquest of Chinchay-suyu.
He gave the prince for his tutors, captains, and captains-general of his army,
two of his brothers, the one named Auqui Yupanqui and the other Tilca Yupanqui. The army being assembled and the
preparations made, they set out from Cuzco.
Tupac went in such
pomp and majesty that, where he passed, no one dared to look him in the face,
in such veneration was he held. The people left the roads along which he
had to pass and, ascending the hills on either side, worshipped and
adored. They pulled out their eyebrows and eyelashes, and blowing on them,
they made offering to the Inca. Others offered handfuls of a very
precious herb called coca. When he arrived at the villages,
he put on the dress and head-gear of that district, for all were different in
their dress and head-gear as they are now. For Inca Yupanqui,
so as to know each nation he had conquered, ordered that each one should have a
special dress and head-gear, which they call pillu, llaytu and chuco,
different one from the other, so as to be easily distinguished and
recognized. Seating himself, Tupac Inca made a solemn sacrifice of
animals and birds, burning them in a fire which was kindled in his presence;
and in this way they worshipped the sun, which they believed to be God.
In this manner
Tupac Inca began to repeat the conquests and tyranny of all his ancestors and
his father. For, although many nations were conquered by his father,
almost all were again with arms in their hands to regain their liberty, and the
rest to defend themselves. As Tupac Inca advanced with such power, force
and pride, he not only claimed the subjection of the people, but also usurped
the veneration they gave to their gods or devils, for truly he and his father
made them worship all with more veneration than the Sun.
Tupac Inca finally
marched out of Cuzco and began to proceed with measures for subduing the people
in the near vicinity. In the province of the Quichuas [in
the valley of the Pachachaca, above Abancay] he conquered and occupied the fortresses of Tohara, Cayara, and Curamba, and in the province of Angaraes the fortresses of Urco-colla and Huaylla-pucara, taking its Sinchi named Chuquis Huaman prisoner. In the province of Xauxa he took Sisiquilla Pucara, and in the province of Huayllas the fortresses of Chuncu-marca and Pillahua-marca. In Chachapoyas the
fortress of Piajajalca fell before him, and he took
prisoner a very rich chief named Chuqui Sota. He conquered the province of the Paltas, and the valleys of Pacasmayu and Chimu, which is now Truxillo. He destroyed
it as Chimu Ccapac had been
subdued before. He also conquered the province of the Canaris,
and those who resisted were totally destroyed. The Canaris submitted
from fear, and he took their Sinchis, named Pisar Ccapac, Cañar Ccapac and Chica Ccapac, and
built an impregnable fortress there called Quinchi-caxa.
Tupac Inca Yupanqui then returned to Cuzco with much treasure and many
prisoners. He was well received by his father with a most sumptuous
triumph, and with the applause of all the orejones of
Cuzco. They had many feasts and sacrifices, and to please the people they
celebrated the festival called Inti Raymi with feasts and dances, a time of great rejoicing. The Inca granted many favours for the sake of his son Tupac Inca, that he might
have the support of his subjects, which was what he desired. For as he
was very old and unable to move about, feeling the approach of death, his aim
was to leave his son in the possession of the confidence of his army.
XLV. HOW PACHACUTI
INCA YUPANQUI VISITED THE PROVINCES CONQUERED FOR HIM BY HIS CAPTAINS.
It has been
related how the Inca Yupanqui placed garrisons of
Cuzco soldiers, and a governor called tucuyrico in
all the provinces he conquered and oppressed. It must be known that owing
to his absorbing occupations in conquering other provinces, training warriors,
and placing his son in command for the conquest of Chinchay-suyu,
he had not been able to put his final intentions and will into execution, which
was to make those he oppressed submissive subjects and tributaries.
Seeing that the people were in greater fear at beholding the valour of Tupac Inca, he determined to have a visitation of
the land, and nominated 16 visitors, four for each of the four suyus or divisions of the empire, which
are Cunti-suyu from Cuzco south and
west as far as the South Sea, Chinchay-suyu from
Cuzco to the north and west, Anti-suyu from
Cuzco to the east, and Colla-suyu from
Cuzco to the south, south-west, and south-east.
These visitors
each went to the part to which he was appointed, and inspected, before all
things, the work of the tucuyricos and
the methods of their government. They caused irrigating channels to be
constructed for the crops, broke up land where this had been neglected,
built andenes or cultivated
terraces, and took up pastures for the Sun, the Inca, and Cuzco. Above
all they imposed very heavy tribute on all the produce, [so that they all
went about to rob and desolate property and persons]. The visitations
occupied two years. When they were completed the visitors returned to
Cuzco, bringing with them certain cloths descriptive of the provinces they had
visited. They reported fully to the Inca all that they had found and
done.
Besides these, the
Inca also despatched other orejones as
overseers to make roads and hospices on the routes of the Inca, ready for the
use of his soldiers. These overseers set out, and made roads, now called
“of the Inca,” over the mountains and along the sea coast. Those on the
sea coast are all provided, at the sides, with high walls of adobe,
wherever it was possible to build them, except in the deserts where there are
no building materials. These roads go from Quito to Chile, and into the
forests of the Andes. Although the Inca did not complete all, suffice it
that he made a great part of the roads, which were finished by his sons and
grandsons.
XLVI. TUPAC INCA
YUPANQUI SETS OUT, A SECOND TIME, BY ORDER OF HIS FATHER, TO CONQUER WHAT
REMAINED UNSUBDUED IN CHINCHAY-SUYU.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui knew from the report made by his son when he
returned from the conquest of Chinchay-suyu, that
there were other great and rich nations and provinces beyond the furthest point
reached by Tupac Inca. That no place might be left to conquer, the Inca
ordered his son to return with a view to the subjugation of the parts of
Quito. He assembled the troops and gave his son the same two brothers as
his colleagues, Tilca Yupanqui and Anqui Yupanqui, who had
gone with him on the former expedition. [Tupac inflicted unheard of
cruelties and deaths on those who defended themselves and did not wish to give
him obedience.]
In this way he
arrived at Tumipampa, within the territory of Quito,
whose Sinchi, named Pisar Ccapac, was confederated with Pilla-huaso, Sinchi of the provinces and site of Quito. These
two chiefs had a great army and were determined to fight Tupac Inca for their
country and lives. Tupac sent messengers to them, demanding that they
should lay down their arms and give him obedience. They replied that they
were in their own native country, that they were free, and did not wish to
serve any one nor be tributaries.
Tupac and his
colleagues rejoiced at this answer, because their wish was to find a pretext to
encounter them with blows and to rob them, which was the principal object of
the war. They say that the Inca army numbered more than 250,000
experienced soldiers. Tupac ordered them to march against the men of
Quito and the Canaris. They encountered each other, both
sides fighting with resolution and skill. The victory was for a long time
doubtful because the Quitos and Canaris pressed
stubbornly against their enemies. When the Inca saw this he got out of
the litter in which he travelled, animated his people, and made signs for the
50,000 men who were kept in reserve for the last necessity. When these
fresh troops appeared the Quitos and Canaris were
defeated and fled, the pursuit being continued with much bloodshed and cruelty,
the victors shouting, “Ccapac Inca Yupanqui! Cuzco! Cuzco!” All the chiefs were
killed. They captured Pilla-huaso in the
vanguard. No quarter was given, in order to strike terror into those who
heard of it.
Thence Inca Tupac
marched to the place where now stands the city of San Francisco de Quito, where
they halted to cure the wounded and give much needed rest to the others.
So this great province remained subject, and Tupac sent a report of his
proceedings to his father. Pachacuti rejoiced
at the success of his son, and celebrated many festivals and sacrifices on
receiving the tidings.
After Tupac Inca
had rested at Cuzco, re-organized his army, and cured the wounded he went to Tumipampa, where his wife and sister bore him a son, to
whom he gave the name of Titu Cusi Hualpa, afterwards known as Huayna Ccapac. After the Inca Tupac had rejoiced and celebrated
the birthday festivals, although the four years were passed that his father had
given him to complete the conquests, he heard that there was a great nation
towards the South Sea, composed of Indians called Huancavelicas.
So he determined to go down to conquer. At the head of the mountains
above them he built the fortress of Huachalla, and
then went down against the Huancavelicas. Tupac
divided his army into three parts, and took one by the most rugged mountains,
making war on the Huancavelica mountaineers. He penetrated so far into
the mountains that for a long time nothing was known of him, whether he was
dead or alive. He conquered the Huancavelicas although they were very warlike, fighting on land and at sea in balsas,
from Tumbez to Huanapi, Huamo, Manta, Turuca and Quisin.
Marching and
conquering on the coast of Manta, and the island of Puna, and Tumbez, there arrived at Tumbez some merchants who had come by sea from the west, navigating in balsas with
sails. They gave information of the land whence they came, which
consisted of some islands called Avachumbi and Ninachumbi, where there were many people and much
gold. Tupac Inca was a man of lofty and ambitious ideas, and was not
satisfied with the regions he had already conquered. So he determined to
challenge a happy fortune, and see if it would favour him by sea. Yet he did not lightly believe the navigating merchants, for
such men, being great talkers, ought not to be credited too readily. In
order to obtain fuller information, and as it was not a business of which news
could easily be got, he called a man, who accompanied him in his conquests,
named Antarqui who, they all declare, was a great
necromancer and could even fly through the air. Tupac Inca asked him
whether what the merchant mariners said was true. Antarqui answered, after having thought the matter well out, that what they said was
true, and that he would go there first. They say that he accomplished
this by his arts, traversed the route, saw the islands, their people and riches,
and, returning, gave certain information of all to Tupac Inca.
The Inca, having
this certainty, determined to go there. He caused an immense number
of balsas to be constructed, in which he embarked more than
20,000 chosen men; taking with him as captains Huaman Achachi, Cunti Yupanqui, Quihual Tupac (all
Hanan-cuzcos), Yancan Mayta, Quisu Mayta, Cachimapaca Macus Yupanqui, Llimpita Usca Mayta (Hurin-cuzcos); his brother Tilca Yupanqui being general of
the whole fleet. Apu Yupanqui was left in command of the army which remained on land.
Tupac Inca
navigated and sailed on until he discovered the islands of Avachumbi and Ninachumbi, and returned, bringing back with him
black people, gold, a chair of brass, and a skin and jaw bone of a horse.
These trophies were preserved in the fortress of Cuzco until the Spaniards
came. An Inca now living had charge of this skin and jaw bone of a
horse. He gave this account, and the rest who were present corroborated
it. His name is Urco Huaranca. I am particular about this because to those
who know anything of the Indies it will appear a strange thing and difficult to
believe. The duration of this expedition undertaken by Tupac Inca was
nine months, others say a year, and, as he was so long absent, every one believed
he was dead. But to deceive them and make them think that news of Tupac
Inca had come, Apu Yupanqui,
his general of the land army, made rejoicings. This was afterwards
commented upon to his disadvantage, and it was said that he rejoiced because he
was pleased that Tupac Inca Yupanqui did not
appear. It cost him his life.
These are the
islands which I discovered in the South Sea on the 30th of November, 1567, 200
and more leagues to the westward, being the great discovery of which I gave
notice to the Licentiate Governor Castro. But Alvaro de Mendana, General of the Fleet, did not wish to occupy them.
After Tupac Inca
disembarked from the discovery of the islands, he proceeded to Tumipampa, to visit his wife and son and to hurry
preparations for the return to Cuzco to see his father, who was reported to be
ill. On the way back he sent troops along the coast to Truxillo, then
called Chimu, where they found immense wealth of gold
and silver worked into wands, and into beams of the house of Chimu Ccapac, with all which they
joined the main army at Caxamarca. Thence Tupac
Inca took the route to Cuzco, where he arrived after an absence of six years
since he set out on this campaign.
Tupac Inca Yupanqui entered Cuzco with the greatest, the richest, and
the most solemny triumph with which any Inca had ever
reached the House of the Sun, bringing with him people of many different races,
strange animals, innumerable quantities of riches. But behold the evil
condition of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui and his avarice, for though Tupac Inca was his son whose promotion he had
procured, he felt such jealousy that his son should have gained such honour and fame in those conquests, that he publicly showed
annoyance that it was not himself who triumphed, and that all was not due to
him. So he determined to kill his sons Tilca Yupanqui and Auqui Yupanqui who had gone with Tupac Inca, their crime being
that they had disobeyed his orders by delaying longer than the time he had
fixed, and that they had taken his son to such a distance that he thought he
would never return to Cuzco. They say that he killed them, though some
say that he only killed Tilca Yupanqui.
At this Tupac Inca Yupanqui felt much aggrieved, that
his father should have slain one who had worked so well for him. The
death was concealed by many feasts in honour of the
victories of Tupac Inca, which were continued for a year.
XLVII. DEATH OF
PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui derived much comfort from his grandson, the son of
Tupac Inca. He always had the child with him, and caused him to be
brought up and cherished in his residence and dormitory. He would not let
him out of his sight.
Being in the
highest prosperity and sovereignty of his life, he fell ill of a grave
infirmity, and, feeling that he was at the point of death, he sent for all his
sons who were then in the city. In their presence he first divided all
his jewels and contents of his wardrobe. Next he made them plough furrows
in token that they were vassals of their brother, and that they had to eat by
the sweat of their hands. He also gave them arms in token that they were
to fight for their brother. He then dismissed them.
He next sent for
the Incas orejones of Cuzco, his
relations, and for Tupac Inca his son to whom he spoke, with a few words, in
this manner:—“Son! you now see how many great nations I leave to you, and you
know what labour they have cost me. Mind that
you are the man to keep and augment them. No one must raise his two eyes
against you and live, even if he be your own brother. I leave you these
our relations that they may be your councillors.
Care for them and they shall serve you. When I am dead, take care of my
body, and put it in my houses at Patallacta.
Have my golden image in the House of the Sun, and make my subjects, in all the
provinces, offer up solemn sacrifice, after which keep the feast of purucaya, that I may go to rest with my father the
Sun.” Having finished his speech they say that he began to sing in a low
and sad voice with words of his own language. They are in Castilian as
follows:
“I was born as a flower
of the field, Having uttered
these words, he laid his head upon a pillow and expired, giving his soul to the
devil, having lived 125 years. For he succeeded, or rather he took the Incaship into his hands when he was 22, and he was
sovereign 103 years.
He had four legitimate
sons by his wife Mama Anahuarqui, and he had 100 sons
and 50 daughters who were bastards. Being numerous they were called Hatun-ayllu, which means a “great
lineage.” By another name this lineage is called Inaca Panaca Ayllu. Those who sustain this lineage at the present time are
Don Diego Cayo, Don Felipa Inguil,
Don Juan Quispi Cusi, Don
Francisco Chaco Rimachi, and Don Juan Illac. They live in Cuzco and are Hanan-cuzcos.
Pachacuti was a man
of good stature, robust, fierce, haughty, insatiably bent on tyrannizing over
all the world, [and cruel above measure. All the ordinances he made
for the people were directed to tyranny and his own interests]. His
conduct was infamous for he often took some widow as a wife and if she had a
daughter that he liked, he also took the daughter for wife or concubine.
If there was some gallant and handsome youth in the town who was esteemed for
something, he presently made some of his servants make friends with him, get
him into the country, and kill him the best way they could. He took all
his sisters as concubines, saying they could not have a better husband than
their brother.
This Inca died in
the year 1191. He conquered more than 300 leagues, 40 more or less in
person accompanied by his legitimate brothers, the captains Apu Mayta and Vicaquirao, the
rest by Amaru Tupac Inca his eldest son, Ccapac Yupanqui his brother, and
Tupac Inca his son and successor, with other captains, his brothers and sons.
This Inca arranged
the parties and lineages of Cuzco in the order that they now are. The
Licentiate Polo found the body of Pachacuti in Tococachi, where now is the parish of San Blas of the city
of Cuzco, well preserved and guarded. He sent it to Lima by order of the
Viceroy of this kingdom, the Marquis of Canete.
The guauqui or idol of this Inca was
called Inti Illapa. It was of gold
and very large, and was brought to Caxamarca in
pieces. The Licentiate Polo found that this guauqui or
idol had a house, estate, servants and women.
XLVIII. THE LIFE
OF TUPAC INCA YUPANQUI, THE TENTH INCA.
When Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui died,
two orejones were deputed to watch
the body, and to allow no one to enter or go out to spread the news of his
death, until orders had been given. The other Incas and orejones went with Tupac Inca to the House of
the Sun and then ordered the twelve captains of the ayllus of
the Inca’s guard to come. They came with 2200 men of the
guard, under their command, fully armed, and surrounded the Yupanqui with the fringe, and gave him the other insignia of sovereignty, as he had now
inherited and succeeded his father. Taking him in the midst of
themselves, and of the guards, they escorted him to the great square, where he
was seated, in majesty, on a superb throne. All the people of the city
were then ordered to come and make obeisance to the Inca on pain of death.
Those who had come
with the Inca, went to their houses to fetch presents to show reverence and do
homage to the new Inca. He remained with his guards only, until they
returned with presents, doing homage and adoring. The rest of the people
did the same, and sacrifices were offered. [It is to be noted that only
those of Cuzco did this, and if any others were present who did so, they must
have been forced or frightened by the armed men and the proclamation.]
This having been
done, they approached the Inca and said, “O Sovereign Inca! O Father! now
take rest.” At these words Tupac Inca showed much sadness and covered his
head with his mantle, which they call llacolla,
a square cloak. He next went, with all his company, to the place where
the body of his father was laid, and there he put on mourning. All things
were then arranged for the obsequies, and Tupac Inca Yupanqui did everything that his father had ordered at the point of death, touching the
treatment of his body and other things.
XLIX. TUPAC INCA
YUPANQUI CONQUERS THE PROVINCE OF THE ANTIS.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui being dead, and Tupac Inca ruling alone, he caused
all the Sinchis and principal men of the conquered
provinces to be summoned. Those came who feared the fury of the Inca, and
with them the Indians of the province of Anti-suyu,
who are the dwellers in the forests to the eastward of Cuzco, who had been
conquered in the time of Pachacuti his father.
Tupac Inca ordered
them all to do homage, adore, and offer sacrifices. The Antis were
ordered to bring from their country several loads of lances of palm wood for
the service of the House of the Sun. The Antis, who did not serve
voluntarily, looked upon this demand as a mark of servitude. They fled
from Cuzco, returned to their country, and raised the land of the Antis in the
name of freedom.
Tupac Inca was
indignant, and raised a powerful army which he divided into three parts.
He led the first in person, entering the Anti-suyu by Ahua-toña. The second was entrusted to a
captain named Uturuncu Achachi,
who entered Anti-suyu by a town they call Amaru. The third, under a captain named Chalco Yupanqui, advanced by way
of Pilcopata. All these routes were near each
other, and the three divisions formed a junction three leagues within the
forest, at a place called Opatari, whence they
commenced operations against the settlements of the Antis. The
inhabitants of this region were Antis, called Opataris,
and were the first to be conquered. Chalco Yupanqui carried an image of the Sun.
The forests were
very dense and full of evil places; so that they could not force their way
through, nor did they know what direction to take in order to reach the
settlements of the natives, which were well concealed in the thick
vegetation. To find them the explorers climbed up the highest trees, and
pointed out the places where they could see smoke rising. So they worked
away at road making through the undergrowth until they lost that sign of
inhabitants and found another. In this way the Inca made a road where it
seemed impossible to make one.
The Sinchi of the greater part of these provinces of the Antis
was Condin Savana, of whom they say that he was a
great wizard and enchanter, and they had the belief, and even now they affirm
that he could turn himself into different shapes.
Tupac Inca and his
captains penetrated into this region of the Antis, which consists of the most
terrible and fearful forests, with many rivers, where they endured immense toil,
and the people who came from Peru suffered from the change of climate, for Peru
is cold and dry, while the forests of Anti-suyu are
warm and humid. The soldiers of Tupac Inca became sick, and many
died. Tupac Inca himself, with a third of his men who came with him to
conquer, were lost in the forests, and wandered for a long time, without
knowing whether to go in one direction or another until he fell in with Uturuncu Achachi who put him on
the route.
On this occasion
Tupac Inca and his captains conquered four great tribes. The first was
that of the Indians called Opataris. The next
was the Mano-suyu. The third tribe was called Manaris or Yanasimis, which means
those of the black mouth: and the province of Rio, and the province of
the Chunchos. They went over much ground in
descending the river Tono, and penetrated as far as
the Chiponauas. The Inca sent another great
captain, named Apu Ccuri-machi,
by the route which they now call of Camata. This route was in the
direction of the rising of the sun, and he advanced until he came to the river
of which reports have but now been received, called Paytiti,
where he set up the frontier pillars of Inca Tupac. During the campaign
against these nations, Tupac Inca took prisoners the following Sinchis: Vinchincayua, Cantahuancuru, Nutan-huari[106].
[Note 106:
This expedition of Tupac Inca Yupanqui into the montana of Paucartambo,
and down the River Tono is important. Garcilasso de la Vega describes it in chapters xiii., xiv.,
xv. and xvi. of Book vii. He says that five rivers unite to form the
great Amaru-mayu or Serpent River, which he was
inclined to think was a tributary of the Rio de la Plata. He describes
fierce battles with the Chunchos, who were reduced to
obedience. After descending the River Tono, Garcilasso says that the Incas eventually reached the
country of the Musus (Moxos)
and opened friendly relations with them. Many Incas settled in the
country of the Musus. Garcilasso then gives some account of Spanish expeditions into the montana, led by Diego Aleman, Gomez de Tordoya, and Juan Alvarez Maldonado.
The account in the
text agrees, in the main, with that of Garcilasso de
la Vega. Sarmiento gives the names of four Indian tribes who were
encountered, besides the Chunchos.]
During the
campaign an Indian of the Collas, named Coaquiri, fled from his company, reached the Collao, and spread the report that Tupac Inca was
dead. He said that there was no longer an Inca, that they should all rise
and that he would be their leader. Presently he took the name of Pachacuti, the Collas rose, and
chose him as their captain. This news reached Tupac Inca in Anti-suyu where he was in the career of conquest. He
resolved to march against the Collas and punish
them. He left the forests, leaving Uturuncu Achachi to complete the conquest, with orders to return
into Peru when that service was completed, but not to enter Cuzco triumphing
until the Inca should come.
L. TUPAC INCA
YUPANQUI GOES TO SUBDUE AND PACIFY THE COLLAS.
As the Collas were one of those nations which most desired their
freedom, they entered upon attempts to obtain it whenever a chance offered, as
has already been explained. Tupac Inca Yupanqui resolved to crush them once for all. Having returned from the Antis, he
increased his army and nominated as captains Larico,
the son of his cousin Ccapac Yupanqui,
his brother Chachi, Cunti Yupanqui,
and Quihual Tupac. With this army he advanced
to the Collao. The Collas had constructed four strong places at Llallaua, Asillo, Arapa, and Pucara.
The Inca captured the chiefs and the leader of all, who was Chuca-chucay Pachacuti Coaquiri, he who,
as we have said, fled from Anti-suyu.
Afterwards these were the drummers of Inca Tupac. Finally, owing to the
great diligence of Inca Tupac, although the war occupied some years, the Incas
conquered and subdued all [perpetrating great cruelties on them].
Following up his
victories, in pursuit of the vanquished, he got so far from Cuzco that he found
himself in Charcas. So he determined to advance
further, subduing every nation of which he received notice. He eventually
prosecuted his conquests so far that he entered Chile, where he defeated the
great Sinchi Michimalongo,
and Tangalongo, Sinchi of
the Chilians as far as the river Maule. He came
to Coquimbo in Chile and to the banks of the Maule, where he set up his frontier
columns, or as others say a wall, to show the end of his conquests. From
this campaign he returned with great riches in gold, having discovered many
mines of gold and silver. He then returned to Cuzco.
These spoils were
joined with those of Uturuncu Achachi,
who had returned from the forests of the Antis after a campaign of three
years. He was at Paucar-tampu, awaiting the
return of his brother, who entered Cuzco with a very great triumph. They
made great feasts to commemorate the conquests, presenting gifts and granting
many favours to the soldiers who had served with the
Inca in these campaigns. As the provinces of the Chumpi-vilicas saw the power and greatness of Tupac Inca Yupanqui they came to submit with the rest of Cunti-suyu.
Besides this the
Inca went to Chachapoyas, and crushed those who had been suspected, visiting
many provinces on the road.
On his return to
Cuzco he made certain ordinances, as well for peace as for war time. He
increased the mitimaes which his
father had instituted, as has been explained in the account of his life, giving
more privileges and liberty. Besides, he caused a general visitation to
be made of all the land from Quito to Chile, registering the whole population
for more than a thousand leagues; and imposed a tribute [so heavy that no
one could be owner of a mazorca of
maize, which is their bread for food, nor of a pair of usutas, which are their shoes, nor marry,
nor do a single thing without special licence from
Tupac Inca. Such was the tyranny and oppression to which he subjected
them]. He placed over the tucuricos a
class of officers called Michu to
collect the taxes and tributes.
Tupac Inca saw
that in the districts and provinces the Sinchis claimed to inherit by descent. He resolved to abolish this rule, and to
put them all under his feet, both great and small. He, therefore, deposed
the existing Sinchis, and introduced a class of ruler
at his own will, who were selected in the following way. He appointed a
ruler who should have charge of 10,000 men, and called him huanu, which means that number. He appointed
another ruler over 1000, and called him huaranca,
which is 1000. The next had charge of 500, called pichca-pachaca, or 500. To another
called pachac he gave charge of 100,
and to another he gave charge of 10 men, called chunca curaca. All these had also the title
of Curaca, which means “principal” or
“superior,” over the number of men of whom they had charge. These
appointments depended solely on the will of the Inca, who appointed and
dismissed them as he pleased, without considering inheritance, or
succession. From that time forward they were called Curacas, which is the proper name of the chiefs of
this land, and not Caciques, which is the term used by the vulgar
among the Spaniards. That name of Cacique belongs to the
islands of Santo Domingo and Cuba. From this place we will drop the name
of Sinchi and only use that of Curaca.
LI. TUPAC INCA
MAKES THE YANACONAS.
Among the brothers
of the Inca there was one named Tupac Ccapac, a
principal man, to whom Tupac Inca had given many servants to work on his farms,
and serve on his estates. It is to be understood that Tupac Inca made his
brother visitor-general of the whole empire that had been conquered up to that
time. Tupac Ccapac, in making the visitation,
came to the place where his brother had given him those servants. Under colour of this grant, he took those and also many more,
saying that all were his yana-cuñas,
which is the name they give to their servants. He persuaded them to rebel
against his brother, saying that if they would help him he would show them
great favours. He then marched to Cuzco, very
rich and powerful, where he gave indications of his intentions.
He intended his
schemes to be kept secret, but Tupac Inca was informed of them and came to
Cuzco. He had been away at the ceremony of arming one of his sons named Ayar Manco. Having convinced himself that his
information was correct, he killed Tupac Ccapac with
all his councillors and supporters. Finding
that many tribes had been left out of the visitation by him, for this attempt,
Tupac Inca went in person from Cuzco, to investigate the matter and finish the
visitation.
While doing this
the Inca came to a place called Yana-yacu,
which means “black water” because a stream of a very dark colour flows down that valley, and for that reason they call the river and
valley Yana-yacu. Up to this point
he had been inflicting very cruel punishment without pardoning any one who was found guilty either in word or deed.
In this valley of Yana-yacu his sister
and wife, Mama Ocllo, asked him not to continue such
cruelties, which were more butchery and inhumanity than punishment, and not to
kill any more but to pardon them, asking for them as her servants. In
consequence of this intercession, the Inca ceased the slaughter, and said that
he would grant a general pardon. As the pardon was proclaimed in Yana-yacu, he ordered that all the pardoned should be
called Yana-yacus. They were known
as not being allowed to enter in the number of servants of the House of the
Sun, nor those of the visitation. So they remained under the Curacas. This affair being finished, the visitation
made by Tupac Ccapac was considered to be of no
effect. So the Inca returned to Cuzco with the intention of ordering
another visitation to be made afresh.
LII. TUPAC INCA
YUPANQUI ORDERS A SECOND VISITATION OF THE LAND, AND DOES OTHER THINGS.
As the visitation
entrusted to Tupac Ccapac was not to his liking, the
Inca revoked it, and nominated another brother named Apu Achachi to be visitor-general. The Inca ordered
him not to include the Yana-yacus in the
visitation, because they were unworthy to enter into the number of the rest,
owing to what they had done, Apu Achachi set out and made his general visitation, reducing many of the Indians to live
in villages and houses who had previously lived in caves and hills and on the
banks of rivers, each one by himself. He sent those in strong fastnesses
into plains, that they might have no site for a fortress, on the strength of
which they might rebel. He reduced them into provinces, giving them their Curacas in the order already described. He did
not make the son of the deceased a Curaca, but the man
who had most ability and aptitude for the service. If the appointment did
not please the Inca he, without more ado, dismissed him and appointed another,
so that no Curaca, high or low, felt secure in his
appointment. To these Curacas were given
servants, women and estates, submitting an account of them, for, though they
were Curacas, they could not take a thing of their
own authority, without express leave from the Inca.
In each province
all those of the province made a great sowing of every kind of edible vegetable
for the Inca, his overseers coming to the harvest. Above all there was
a Tucurico Apu,
who was the governor-lieutenant of the Inca in that province. It is true
that the first Inca who obliged the Indians of this land to pay tribute of
everything, and in quantity, was Inca Yupanqui.
But Tupac Inca imposed rules and fixed the tribute they must pay, and divided
it according to what each province was to contribute as well for the general
tax as those for Huacas, and Houses of
the Sun. [In this way the people were so loaded with tributes and taxes,
that they had to work perpetually night and day to pay them, and even then they
could not comply, and had no time for sufficient labour to suffice for their own maintenance.]
Tupac Inca divided
the estates throughout the whole empire, according to the measure which they
call tupu.
He divided the
months of the year, with reference to labour in the
fields, as follows. Three months in the year were allotted to the Indians
for the work of their own fields, and the rest must be given up to the work of
the Sun, of huacas, and of the Inca.
In the three months that were given to themselves, one was for ploughing and
sowing, one for reaping, and another in the summer for festivals, and for make
and mend clothes days. The rest of their time was demanded for the
service of the Sun and the Incas.
This Inca ordered
that there should be merchants who might profit by their industry in this
manner. When any merchant brought gold, silver, precious stones, or other
valuable things for sale, they were to be asked where they got them, and in
this way they gave information respecting the mines and places whence the
valuables had been taken. Thus a very great many mines of gold and
silver, and of very fine colours, were discovered.
This Inca had two
Governors-General in the whole empire, called Suyuyoc Apu; one resided at Xauxa and the other at Tiahuanacu in Colla-suyu.
Tupac Inca ordered
the seclusion of certain women in the manner of our professed nuns, maidens of
12 years and upwards, who were called acllas [chosen].
From thence they were taken to be given in marriage to the Tucurico Apu, or by
order of the Inca who, when any captain returned with victory, distributed
the acllas to captains, soldiers and
other servants who had pleased him, as gracious gifts which were highly
valued. As they took out some, they were replaced by others, for there
must always be the number first ordained by the Inca. If any man takes
one out, or is caught inside with one they are both hanged, tied together.
This Inca made
many ordinances, in his tyrannical mode of government, which will be given in a
special volume.
LIII. TUPAC INCA
MAKES THE FORTRESS OF CUZCO.
After Tupac Inca Yupanqui had visited all the empire and had come to Cuzco
where he was served and adored, being for the time idle, he remembered that his
father Pachacuti had called the city of Cuzco the
lion city. He said that the tail was where the two rivers unite which
flow through it, that the body was the great square and the houses round it,
and that the head was wanting. It would be for some son of his to put it
on. The Inca discussed this question with the orejones,
who said that the best head would be to make a fortress on a high plateau to
the north of the city.
This being
settled, the Inca sent to all the provinces, to order the tucuricos to supply a large number of people for the work of the fortress. Having
come, the workmen were divided into parties, each one having its duties and
officers. Thus some brought stones, others worked them, others placed
them. The diligence was such that in a few years, the great fortress of
Cuzco was built, sumptuous, exceedingly strong, of rough stone, a thing most
admirable to look upon. The buildings within it were of small worked
stone, so beautiful that, if it had not been seen, it would not be believed how
strong and beautiful it was. What makes it still more worthy of
admiration is that they did not possess tools to work the stone, but could only
work with other stones. This fortress was intact until the time of the
differences between Pizarro and Almagro, after which they began to dismantle
it, to build with its stones the houses of Spaniards in Cuzco, which are at the
foot of the fortress. Great regret is felt by those who see the
ruins. When it was finished, the Inca made many store houses round Cuzco for
provisions and clothing, against times of necessity and of war; which was a
measure of great importance.
LIV. DEATH OF
TUPAC INCA YUPANQUI.
Having visited and
divided the lands, and built the fortress of Cuzco, besides edifices and houses
without number, Tupac Inca Yupanqui went to Chinchero, a town near Cuzco, where he had very rich things
for his recreation; and there he ordered extensive gardens to be constructed to
supply his household. When the work was completed he fell ill of a grave
infirmity, and did not wish to be visited by anyone. But as he became
worse and felt the approach of death, he sent for the orejones of
Cuzco, his relations, and when they had assembled in his presence he
said: “My relations and friends! I would have you to know that the
Sun my Father desires to take me to himself, and I wish to go and rest with
him. I have called you to let you know who it is that I desire to succeed
me as lord and sovereign, and who is to rule and govern you.” They
answered that they grieved much at his illness, that as the Sun his father had
so willed it so must it be, that his will must be done, and they besought the
Inca to nominate him who was to be sovereign in his place. Tupac Inca
then replied: “I nominate for my successor my son Titu Cusi Hualpa, son of my
sister and wife, Mama Ocllo.” For this they
offered many thanks, and afterwards the Inca sank down on his pillow and died,
having lived 85 years.
Tupac Inca
succeeded his father at the age of 18 years. He had two legitimate sons,
60 bastards, and 30 daughters. Some say that at the time of his death, or
a short time before, he had nominated one of his illegitimate sons to succeed
him named Ccapac Huari, son of a concubine whose name
was Chuqui Ocllo.
He left a lineage
or ayllu called Ccapac Ayllu, whose heads, who sustain it and are now living, are Don Andres Tupac Yupanqui, Don Cristobal Pisac Tupac, Don Garcia Vilcas, Don Felipe Tupac Yupanqui,
Don Garcia Azache, and Don Garcia Pilco.
They are Hanan-cuzcos.
The deceased Inca
was frank, merciful in peace, cruel in war and punishments, a friend to the
poor, a great man of indefatigable industry and a notable builder. [He was
the greatest tyrant of all the Incas.] He died in the year 1528. Chalco Chima burnt his body in
1533, when he captured Huascar, as will be related in its place. The
ashes, with his idol or guauqui called Cusi-churi, were found in Calis-puquiu where the Indians had concealed it, and offered to it many sacrifices.
LV. THE LIFE OF
HUAYNA CCAPAC, ELEVENTH INCA.
As soon as Tupac
Inca was dead, the orejones, who were
with him at the time of his death, proceeded to Cuzco for the customary
ceremonies. These were to raise the Inca his successor before the death
of his father had become known to him, and to follow the same order as in the
case of the death of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. As the wives and sons of Tupac Inca also
went to Cuzco, the matter could not be kept secret. A woman who had been
a concubine of the late Inca, named Ccuri Ocllo, a kins-woman of Ccapac Huari,
as soon as she arrived at Cuzco, spoke to her relations and to Ccapac Huari in these words. “Sirs and
relations! Know that Tupac Inca is dead and that, when in health, he had
named Ccapac Huari for his successor, but at the end,
being on the point of death, he said that Titu Cusi Hualpa, son of Mama Ocllo, should succeed him. You ought not to consent
to this. Rather call together all your relations and friends, and raise Ccapac Huari, your elder brother, son of Chuqui Ocllo, to be Inca.”
This seemed well to all the relations of Ccapac Huari, and they sent to assemble all the other relations on his behalf.
While this was
proceeding, the orejones of Cuzco,
knowing nothing of it, were arranging how to give the fringe to Titu Cusi Hualpa.
The plot of the party of Ccapac Huari became known to
the late Inca’s brother, Huaman Achachi. He assembled some friends, made them arm
themselves, and they went to where Titu Cusi Hualpa was retired and
concealed. They then proceeded to where the friends of Ccapac Huari had assembled, and killed many of them,
including Ccapac Huari himself. Others say that
they did not kill Ccapac Huari at that time, but only
took him. His mother Chuqui Ocllo was taken and, being a rebel as well as a witch who had killed her lord Tupac
Inca, she was put to death. Ccapac Huari was
banished to Chinchero, where he was given a
maintenance, but he was never allowed to enter Cuzco again until his
death. They also killed the woman Ccuri Ocllo, who had advised the raising of Ccapac Huari to the Incaship.
LVI. THEY GIVE THE
FRINGE OF INCA TO HUAYNA CCAPAC, THE ELEVENTH INCA.
The city of Cuzco
being pacified, Huaman Achachi went to Quispicancha, three leagues from Cuzco, where Titu Cusi Hualpa was concealed, and brought his nephew to Cuzco, to
the House of the Sun. After the sacrifices and accustomed ceremonies, the
image of the Sun delivered the fringe to Titu Cusi Hualpa.
This being done,
and the new Inca having been invested with all the insignia of Ccapac, and placed in a rich litter, they bore him to
the huaca Huanacauri,
where he offered a sacrifice. The orejones returned
to Cuzco by the route taken by Manco Ccapac.
Arrived at the
first square, called Rimac-pampa, the accession was
announced to the people, and they were ordered to come and do homage to the new
Inca. When they all assembled, and saw how young he was, never having
seen him before, they all raised their voices and called him Huayna Ccapac which means “the boy chief” or “the boy
sovereign.” For this reason he was called Huayna Ccapac from that time, and the name Titu Cusi Hualpa was no longer used. They celebrated
festivals, armed him as a knight, adored, and presented many gifts—–as was
customary.
LVII. THE FIRST
ACTS OF HUAYNA CCAPAC AFTER HE BECAME INCA.
As Huayna Ccapac was very young when he succeeded, they appointed a
tutor and coadjutor for him named Hualpaya, a son of Ccapac Yupanqui, brother of Inca Yupanqui. This prince made a plot to raise himself to
the Incaship, but it became known to Huaman Achachi, then Governor of Chinchay-suyu. At the time he was in Cuzco, and he
and his people killed Hualpaya and others who were
culpable.
Huaman Achachi assumed the government, but always had as a councillor his own brother Auqui Tupac Inca. In course of time Huayna Ccapac went to the House of the Sun, held a visitation, took account of the officials,
and provided what was necessary for the service, and for that of the Mama-cuñas. He took the chief custodianship of the Sun
from him who then held it, and assumed the office himself with the title of
“Shepherd of the Sun.” He next visited the other huacas and
oracles, and their estates. He also inspected the buildings of the city
of Cuzco and the houses of the orejones.
Huayna Ccapac ordered the body of his father Tupac Inca to be
embalmed. After the sacrifices, the mourning, and other ceremonies, he
placed the body in the late Inca’s residence which
was prepared for it, and gave his servants all that was necessary for their
maintenance and services. The same Huayna Ccapac mourned for his father and for his mother who died nearly at the same time.
LVIII. HUAYNA CCAPAC
CONQUERS CHACHAPOYAS.
After Huayna Ccapac had given orders respecting the things mentioned in
the last chapter, it was reported to him that there were certain tribes near
the territory of the Chachapoyas which might be conquered, and that on the way
he might subdue the Chachapoyas who had rebelled. He gave orders to
his orejones and assembled a large
army. He set out from Cuzco, having first offered sacrifices and observed
the calpa. On the route he took, he
reformed many things. Arriving at the land of the Chachapoyas, they, with
other neighbouring tribes, put themselves in a
posture of defence. They were eventually
vanquished and treated with great severity. The Inca then returned to
Cuzco and triumphed at the victory gained over the Chachapoyas and other
nations.
While he was
absent on this campaign, he left as Governor of Cuzco one of his illegitimate
brothers named Sinchi Rocca, an eminent
architect. He built all the edifices at Yucay,
and the houses of the Inca at Casana in the city of
Cuzco. He afterwards built other edifices round Cuzco for Huayna Ccapac, on sites which appeared most convenient.
LIX. HUAYNA CCAPAC
MAKES A VISITATION OF THE WHOLE EMPIRE FROM QUITO TO CHILE.
Huayna Ccapac having rested in Cuzco for a long time and, wishing
to undertake something, considered that it was a long time since he had visited
the empire. He determined that there should be a visitation, and named
his uncle Huaman Achachi to
conduct it in Chinchay-suyu as far as Quito, he
himself undertaking the region of Colla-suyu.
Each one set out,
Huayna Ccapac, in person, taking the route to the Collao, where he examined into the government of his tucuricos, placing and dismissing governors and Curacas, opening lands and making bridges and irrigating
channels. Constructing these works he arrived at Charcas and went thence to Chile, which his father had conquered, where he dismissed
the governor, and appointed two native Curacas named Michimalongo and Antalongo, who
had been vanquished by his father. Having renewed the garrison, he came
to Coquimbo and Copiapo, also visiting Atacama and
Arequipa. He next went to Anti-suyu and Alayda, by way of Collao and Charcas. He entered the valley of Cochabamba, and
there made provinces of mitimaes in
all parts, because the natives were few, and there was space for all, the land
being fertile. Thence he went to Pocona to give
orders on that frontier against the Chirihuanas, and
to repair a fortress which had been built by his father.
While engaged on
these measures, he received news that the provinces of Quito, Cayambis, Carangues, Pastos, and Huancavilcas had rebelled. He, therefore, hurried his return and came to Tiahuanacu, where he prepared for war against the Quitos and Cayambis,
and gave orders how the Urus were to live, granting them localities in which
each tribe of them was to fish in the lake. He visited the Temple of the
Sun and the huaca of Ticci Viracocha on the island of Titicaca,
and sent orders that all those provinces should send troops to go to that war
which he had proclaimed.
LX. HUAYNA
CCAPAC MAKES WAR ON THE QUITOS, PASTOS, CARANGUES,
CAYAMBIS, HUANCAVILCAS.
Knowing that
the Pastos, Quitos, Carangues, Cayambis and Huancavilcas had rebelled, killed the tucuricos, and strengthened their positions with
strong forces, Huayna Ccapac, with great rapidity,
collected a great army from all the districts of the four suyus. He nominated Michi of the Hurin-cuzcos, and Auqui Tupac of the Hanan-cuzcos as captains,
and left his uncle Huaman Achachi as governor of Cuzco. Others say that he left Apu Hilaquito and Auqui Tupac
Inca in Cuzco, with his son who was to succeed named Tupac Cusi Hualpa Inti Illapa,
and with him another of his sons named Titu Atanchi, who remained to perform the fasts before
knighthood. It is to be noted that Huayna Ccapac was married, in conformity with custom and with the prescribed ceremonies to Cusi Rimay Coya,
by whom he had no male child. He, therefore, took his sister Araua Ocllo to wife, by whom he
had a son Tupac Cusi Hualpa,
vulgarly called Huascar. Preparing for the campaign he ordered that
Atahualpa and Ninan Cuyoche,
his illegitimate sons, now grown men, should go with him. His other sons,
also illegitimate, named Manco Inca and Paulu Tupac,
were to remain with Huascar.
These arrangements
having been made, the Inca set out for Quito. On the way he came to Tumipampa where he had himself been born. Here he
erected great edifices where he placed, with great solemnity, the caul in which
he was born. Marching onwards and reaching the boundary of the region
where the Quitos were in arms, he
marshalled his squadrons, and presently resolved to conquer the Pastos. For this service he selected two
captains of the Collao, one named Mollo Cavana, the other Mollo Pucara, and two others of Cunti-suyu named Apu Cautar Canana and Cunti Mollo, under whose command he placed many men of their
nations, and 2000 orejones as
guards, under Auqui Tupac Inca, brother of Huayna Ccapac and Acollo Tupac of the
lineage of Viracocha. They marched to the country of
the Pastos who fell back on their
chief place, leaving their old people, women and children, with a few men, that
the enemy might think there was no one else. The Incas easily conquered
these and, thinking that was all, they gave themselves up to idleness and
pleasure. One night, when they were engaged in a great rejoicing, eating
and drinking freely, without sentries, the Pastos attacked
them, and there was a great slaughter, especially among the Collas.
Those who escaped, fled until they came to the main army of the Incas which was
following them. They say that Atahualpa and Ninan Cuyoche brought up assistance, and that, with the
confidence thus gained, Huayna Ccapac ordered the war
to be waged most cruelly. So they entered the country of the Pastos a second time, burning and destroying
the inhabited places and killing all the people great and small, men and women,
young and old. That province having been subdued, a governor was
appointed to it.
Huayna Ccapac then returned to Tumipampa,
where he rested some days, before moving his camp for the conquest of the Carangues, a very warlike nation. In this campaign he
subdued the Macas to the confines of the Canaris,
those of Quisna, of Ancamarca,
the province of Puruvay, the Indians of Nolitria, and other neighbouring nations.
Thence he went
down to Tumbez, a seaport, and then came to the
fortresses of Carangui and Cochisque.
In commencing to subdue those of Cochisque he met
with a stubborn resistance by valiant men, and many were killed on both
sides. At length the place was taken, and the men who escaped were
received in the fortress of Carangui. The Incas
decided that the country surrounding this fortress should first be
subdued. They desolated the country as far as Ancas-mayu and Otabalo, those who escaped from the fury of the
Incas taking refuge in the fortress. Huayna Ccapac attacked it with his whole force, but was repulsed by the garrison with much
slaughter, and the orejones were
forced to fly, defeated by the Cayambis, the Inca
himself being thrown down. He would have been killed if a thousand of his
guard had not come up with their captains Cusi Tupac Yupanqui and Huayna Achachi, to
rescue and raise him. The sight of this animated the orejones. All turned to defend their Inca, and
pressed on with such vigour that the Cayambis were driven back into their fortress. The
Inca army, in one encounter and the other, suffered heavy loss.
Huayna Ccapac, on this account, returned to Tumipampa,
where he recruited his army, preparing to resume the attack on the Cayambis. At this time some orejones deserted
the Inca, leaving him to go back to Cuzco. Huayna Ccapac satisfied the rest by gifts of clothes, provisions, and other things, and he
formed an efficient army.
It was reported
that the Cayambis had sallied from their fortress and
had defeated a detachment of the Inca army, killing many, and the rest escaping
by flight. This caused great sorrow to the Inca, who sent his brother Auqui Toma, with an army composed of all nations, against
the Cayambis of the fortress. Auqui Toma went, attacked the fortress, captured four lines
of defence and the outer wall, which was composed of
five. But at the entrance the Cayambis killed Auqui Toma, captain of the Cuzcos,
who had fought most valorously. This attack and defence was so obstinate and long continued that an immense number of men fell, and the
survivors had nowhere to fight except upon heaps of dead men. The desire
of both sides to conquer or die was so strong that they gave up their lances
and arrows and took to their fists. At last, when they saw that their
captain was killed, the Incas began to retreat towards a river, into which they
went without any care for saving their lives. The river was in flood and
a great number of men were drowned. This was a heavy loss for the cause
of Huayna Ccapac. Those who escaped from
drowning and from the hands of the enemy, sent the news to the Inca from the
other side of the river. Huayna Ccapac received
the news of this reverse with heavier grief than ever, for he dearly loved his
brother Auqui Toma, who had been killed with so many
men who were the pick of the army.
Huayna Ccapac was a brave man, and was not dismayed. On the
contrary it raised his spirit and he resolved to be avenged. He again got
ready his forces and marched in person against the fortress of the Cayambis. He formed the army in three
divisions. He sent Michi with a third of the army to pass on one side of
the fortress without being seen. This detachment consisted of Cuzco orejones, and men of Chinchay-suyu.
They were to advance five marches beyond the fortress and, at a fixed time,
return towards it, desolating and destroying. The Inca, with the rest of
his army marched direct to the attack of the fortress, and began to fight with
great fury. This continued some days, during which the Inca lost some
men. While the battle was proceeding, Michi and those of Chinchay-suyu turned, desolating and destroying everything
in the land of the Cayambis. They were so
furious that they did not leave anything standing, making the very earth to
tremble. When Huayna Ccapac knew that his
detachment was near the fortress, he feigned a flight. The Cayambis, not aware of what was happening in their rear,
came out of the fortress in pursuit of the Inca. When the Cayambis were at some distance from their stronghold, the Chinchay-suyus, commanded by Michi, came in sight.
These met with no resistance in the fortress as the Cayambis were outside, following Huayna Ccapac. They
easily entered it and set it on fire in several parts, killing or capturing all
who were inside.
The Cayambis were, by this time, fighting with the army of
Huayna Ccapac. When they saw their fortress on
fire they lost hope and fled from the battle field towards a lake which was
near, thinking that they could save themselves by hiding among the beds of
reeds. But Huayna Ccapac followed them with
great rapidity. In order that none might escape he gave instructions that
the lake should be surrounded. In that lake, and the swamps on its
borders, the troops of Huayna Ccapac, he fighting
most furiously in person, made such havock and
slaughter, that the lake was coloured with the blood
of the dead Cayambis. From that time forward
the lake has been called Yahuar-cocha,
which means the “lake of blood,” from the quantity that was there shed.
It is to be noted
that in the middle of this lake there was an islet with two willow trees, up which
some Cayambis climbed, and among them their two
chiefs named Pinto and Canto, most valiant Indians. The troops of Huayna Ccapac pelted them with stones and captured Canto, but
Pinto escaped with a thousand brave Canaris.
The Cayambis being conquered, the Cuzcos began
to select those who would look best in the triumphal entry into Cuzco.
But they, thinking that they were being selected to be killed, preferred rather
to die like men than to be tied up like women. So they turned and began
to fight. Huayna Ccapac saw this and ordered
them all to be killed.
The Inca placed a
garrison in the fortress, and sent a captain with a detachment in pursuit of
Pinto who, in his flight, was doing much mischief. They followed until
Pinto went into forests, with other fugitives, escaping for a time. After
Huayna Ccapac had rested for some days at Tumipampa, he got information where Pinto was in the
forests, and surrounded them, closing up all entrances and exits. Hunger
then obliged him, and those who were with him, to surrender. This Pinto
was very brave and he had such hatred against Huayna Ccapac that even, after his capture, when the Inca had presented him with gifts and
treated him kindly, he never could see his face. So he died out of his
mind, and Huayna Ccapac ordered a drum to be made of
his skin. The drum was sent to Cuzco, and so this war came to an
end. It was at Cuzco in the taqui or
dance in honour of the Sun.
LXI. THE
CHIRIHUANAS COME TO MAKE WAR IN PERU AGAINST THOSE CONQUERED BY THE INCAS.
While Huayna Ccapac was occupied with this war of the Cayambis, the Chirihuanas, who
form a nation of the forests, naked and eaters of human flesh, for which they
have a public slaughter house, uniting, and, coming forth from their dense
forests, entered the territory of Charcas, which had
been conquered by the Incas of Peru. They attacked the fortress of Cuzco-tuyo, where the Inca had a large frontier garrison
to defend the country against them. Their assault being sudden they
entered the fortress, massacred the garrison, and committed great havock, robberies and murders among the surrounding
inhabitants.
The news reached
Huayna Ccapac at Quito, and he received it with much
heaviness. He sent a captain, named Yasca, to
Cuzco to collect troops, and with them to march against the Chirihuanas.
This captain set out for Cuzco, taking with him the huaca “Cataquilla” of Caxamarca and Huamachuco, and “Curichaculla” of
the Chachapoyas; and the huacas “Tomayrica and Chinchay-cocha,”
with many people, the attendants of the huacas.
He arrived at Cuzco where he was very well received by the Governors, Apu Hilaquito and Auqui Tupac Inca. Having collected his troops he left
Cuzco for Charcas. On the road he enlisted many
men of the Collao. With these he came up with
the Chirihuanas and made cruel war upon them.
He captured some to send to Huayna Ccapac at Quito,
that the Inca might see what these strange men were like. The captain Yasca rebuilt the fortress and, placing in it the necessary
garrison, he returned to Cuzco, dismissed his men, and each one returned to his
own land.
LXII. WHAT HUAYNA
CCAPAC DID AFTER THE SAID WARS.
As soon as Huayna Ccapac had despatched the captain
against the Chirihuanas, he set out from Tumipampa to organize the nations he had conquered,
including Quito, Pasto, and Huancavilcas. He
came to the river called Ancas-mayu,
between Pasto and Quito, where he set up his boundary pillars at the limit of
the country he had conquered. As a token of grandeur and as a memorial he
placed certain golden staves in the pillars. He then followed the course
of the river in search of the sea, seeking for people to conquer, for he had
information that in that direction the country was well peopled.
On this road the
army of the Inca was in great peril, suffering from scarcity of water, for the
troops had to cross extensive tracts of sand. One day, at dawn, the Inca
army found itself surrounded by an immense crowd of people, not knowing who
they were. In fear of the unknown enemy, the troops began to retreat
towards the Inca. Just as they were preparing for flight a boy came to
Huayna Ccapac, and said: “My Lord! fear not,
those are the people for whom we are in search. Let us attack
them.” This appeared to the Inca to be good advice and he ordered an impetuous
attack to be made, promising that whatever any man took should be his.
The orejones delivered such an
assault on those who surrounded them that, in a short time, the circle was
broken. The enemy was routed, and the fugitives made for their habitations,
which were on the sea coast towards Coaques, where
the Incas captured an immense quantity of rich spoils, emeralds, turquoises,
and great store of very fine mollo, a
substance formed in sea shells, more valued amongst them than gold or silver.
Here the Inca
received a message from the Sinchi or Curaca of the island of Puna with a rich present, inviting
him to come to his island to receive his service. Huayna Ccapac did so. Thence he went to Huancavilca,
where he joined the reserves who had been left there. News came to him
that a great pestilence was raging at Cuzco of which the governors Apu Hilaquito his uncle, and Auqui Tupac Inca his brother had died, also his sister Mama
Cuca, and many other relations. To establish order among the conquered
nations, the Inca went to Quito, intending to proceed from thence to Cuzco to
rest.
On reaching Quito
the Inca was taken ill with a fever, though others say it was small-pox or
measles. He felt the disease to be mortal and sent for the orejones his relations, who asked him to name
his successor. His reply was that his son Ninan Cuyoche was to succeed, if the augury of the calpa gave signs that such succession would be
auspicious, if not his son Huascar was to succeed.
Orders were given
to proceed with the ceremony of the calpa,
and Cusi Tupac Yupanqui,
named by the Inca to be chief steward of the Sun, came to perform it. By
the first calpa it was found that
the succession of Ninan Cuyoche would not be auspicious. Then they opened another lamb and took out the
lungs, examining certain veins. The result was that the signs respecting
Huascar were also inauspicious. Returning to the Inca, that he might name some one else, they found that he was dead.
While the orejones stood in suspense
about the succession, Cusi Tupac Yupanqui said: “Take care of the body, for I go to Tumipampa to give the fringe to Ninan Cuyoche.”
But when he arrived at Tumipampa he found that Ninan Cuyoche was also dead of
the small-pox pestilence.
Seeing this Cusi Tupac Yupanqui said to Araua Ocllo—“Be not sad, O Coya! go quickly to Cuzco, and say to your son Huascar that
his father named him to be Inca when his own days were over.” He
appointed two orejones to accompany
her, with orders to say to the Incas of Cuzco that they were to give the fringe
to Huascar. Cusi Tupac added that he would make
necessary arrangements and would presently follow them with the body of Huayna Ccapac, to enter Cuzco with it in triumph, the order of
which had been ordained by the Inca on the point of death, on a staff.
Huayna Ccapac died at Quito at the age of 80 years. He left
more than 50 sons. He succeeded at the age of 20, and reigned 60
years. He was valiant though cruel.
He left a lineage
or ayllu called Tumipampa Ayllu. At present the heads of it, now living, are Don Diego Viracocha Inca,
Don Garcia Inguil Tupac, and Gonzalo Sayri. To this ayllu are joined the
sons of Paulu Tupac, son of Huayna Ccapac. They are Hanan-cuzcos.
Huayna Ccapac died in the year 1524 of the nativity of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the invincible Emperor Charles V of glorious memory being King of
Spain, father of your Majesty, and the Pope was Paul III.
The body of Huayna Ccapac was found by the Licentiate Polo in a house
where it was kept concealed, in the city of Cuzco. It was guarded by two
of his servants named Hualpa Titu and Sumac Yupanqui. His idol or guauqui was called Huaraqui Inca. It was a great image of gold, which has not been found up to
the present time.
LXIII. THE LIFE OF
HUASCAR, THE LAST INCA, AND OF ATAHUALPA.
Huayna Ccapac being dead, and the news having reached Cuzco, they
raised Titu Cusi Hualpa Inti Illapa,
called Huascar, to be Inca. He was called Huascar because he was born in
a town called Huascar-quihuar, four and a half
leagues from Cuzco. Those who remained at Tumipampa embalmed the body of Huayna Ccapac, and collected the
spoils and captives taken in his wars, for a triumphal entry into the capital.
It is to be noted
that Atahualpa, bastard son of Huayna Ccapac by Tocto Coca, his cousin, of the lineage of Inca Yupanqui, had been taken to that war by his father to prove
him. He first went against the Pastos,
and came back a fugitive, for which his father rated him severely. Owing
to this Atahualpa did not appear among the troops, and he spoke to the
Inca orejones of Cuzco in this
manner. “My Lords! you know that I am a son of Huayna Ccapac and that my father took me with him, to prove me in the war. Owing to the
disaster with the Pastos, my father
insulted me in such a way that I could not appear among the troops, still less
at Cuzco among my relations who thought that my father would leave me well, but
I am left poor and dishonoured. For this reason
I have determined to remain here where my father died, and not to live among
those who will be pleased to see me poor and out of favour.
This being so you need not wait for me.” He then embraced them all and
took leave of them. They departed with tears and grief, leaving Atahualpa
at Tumipampa.
The orejones brought the body of Huayna Ccapac to Cuzco, entering with great triumph, and his
obsequies were performed like those of his ancestors. This being done, Huascar
presented gold and other presents, as well as wives who had been kept closely
confined in the house of the acllas during
the time of his father. Huascar built edifices where he was born, and in
Cuzco he erected the houses of Amaru-cancha,
where is now the monastery of the “Name of Jesus,” and others on the Colcampata, where Don Carlos lives, the son of Paulo.
After that he
summoned Cusi Tupac Yupanqui,
and the other principal orejones who
had come with the body of his father, and who were of the lineage of Inca Yupanqui and therefore relations of the mother of
Atahualpa. He asked them why they had not brought Atahualpa with them,
saying that doubtless they had left him there, that he might rebel at Quito,
and that when he did so, they would kill their Inca at Cuzco. The orejones, who had been warned of this suspicion,
answered that they knew nothing except that Atahualpa remained at Quito, as he
had stated publicly, that he might not be poor and despised among his relations
in Cuzco. Huascar, not believing what they said, put them to the torture,
but he extracted nothing further from them. Huascar considered the harm
that these orejones had done, and
that he never could be good friends with them or be able to trust them, so he
caused them to be put to death. This gave rise to great lamentation in
Cuzco and hatred of Huascar among the Hanan-cuzcos,
to which party the deceased belonged. Seeing this Huascar publicly said
that he divorced and separated himself from relationship with the lineages of the
Hanan-cuzcos because they were for
Atahualpa who was a traitor, not having come to Cuzco to do homage. Then
he declared war with Atahualpa and assembled troops to send against him.
Meanwhile Atahualpa sent his messengers to Huascar with presents, saying that
he was his vassal, and as such he desired to know how he could serve the
Inca. Huascar rejected the messages and presents of Atahualpa and they
even say that he killed the messengers. Others say that he cut their
noses and their clothing down to their waists, and sent them back insulted.
While this was
taking place at Cuzco the Huancavilcas rebelled. Atahualpa assembled a great army, nominating as captains—Chalco Chima, Quiz-quiz, Incura Hualpa, Rumí-naui, Yupanqui, Urco-huaranca and Una Chullo.
They marched against the Huancavilcas, conquered
them, and inflicted severe punishment. Returning to Quito, Atahualpa sent
a report to Huascar of what had taken place. At this time Atahualpa
received news of what Huascar had done to his messengers, and of the death of
the orejones; also that Huascar was
preparing to make war on him, that he had separated himself from the Hanan-cuzcos, and that he had proclaimed him, Atahualpa, a
traitor, which they call aucca.
Atahualpa, seeing the evil designs entertained by his brother against him, and
that he must prepare to defend himself, took counsel with his captains.
They were of one accord that he should not take the field until he had
assembled more men, and collected as large an army as possible, because negotiations
should be commenced when he was ready for battle.
At this time an Orejon named Hancu and another
named Atoc came to Tumipampa to offer sacrifices before the image of Huayna Ccapac,
by order of Huascar. They took the wives of Huayna Ccapac and the insignia of Inca without communication with Atahualpa. For this
Atahualpa seized them and, being put to the torture, they confessed what orders
Huascar had given them, and that an army was being sent against
Atahualpa. They were ordered to be killed, and drums to be made of their
skins. Then Atahualpa sent scouts along the road to Cuzco, to see what
forces were being sent against him by his brother. The scouts came in
sight of the army of Huascar and brought back the news.
Atahualpa then
marched out of Quito to meet his enemies. The two armies encountered each
other at Riopampa where they fought a stubborn and
bloody battle, but Atahualpa was victorious. The dead were so numerous
that he ordered a heap to be made of their bones, as a memorial. Even now,
at this day, the plain may be seen, covered with the bones of those who were
slain in that battle.
At this time
Huascar had sent troops to conquer the nations of Pumacocha,
to the east of the Pacamoros, led by Tampu Usca Mayta and by Titu Atauchi, the
brother of Huascar. When the news came of this defeat at Riopampa, Huascar got together another larger army, and
named as captains Atoc, Huaychac, Hanco, and Huanca Auqui. This Huanca Auqui had been unfortunate and lost many men in his
campaign with the Pacamoros. His brother, the
Inca Huascar, to insult him, sent him gifts suited to a woman, ridiculing
him. This made Huanca Auqui determine to do something worthy of a man. He marched to Tumipampa, where the army of Atahualpa was encamped to rest
after the battle. Finding it without watchfulness, he attacked and
surprised the enemy, committing much slaughter.
Atahualpa received
the news at Quito, and was much grieved that his brother Huanca Auqui should have made this attack, for at other
times when he could have hit him, he had let him go, because he was his
brother. He now gave orders to Quiz-quiz and Chalco Chima to advance in pursuit of Huanca Auqui. They overtook him at Cusi-pampa,
where they fought and Huanca Auqui was defeated, with great loss on both sides. Huanca Auqui fled, those of Atahualpa following in pursuit
as far as Caxamarca, where Huanca Auqui met a large reinforcement sent by Huascar in
support. Huanca Auqui ordered them to march against Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz while he remained at Caxamarca. The troops sent by Huanca Auqui were Chachapoyas and many others, the whole
numbering 10,000. They met the enemy and fought near Caxamarca.
But the Chachapoyas were defeated and no more than 3000 escaped. Huanca Auqui then fled towards Cuzco,
followed by the army of Atahualpa.
In the province
of Bombón [Pumpu], Huanca Auqui found a good army composed of all nations, which
Huascar had sent to await his enemies there, who were coming in pursuit.
Those of Atahualpa arrived and a battle was fought for two days without either
party gaining an advantage. But on the third day Huanca Auqui was vanquished by Quiz-quiz and Chalco Chima.
Huanca Auqui escaped from the rout and came to Xauxa,
where he found a further reinforcement of many Indians, Soras, Chancas, Ayamarcas, and Yanyos, sent by his brother. With these he left Xauxa and encountered the pursuing enemy at a place called Yanamarca. Here a battle was fought not less
stubbornly than the former one. Finally, as fortune was against Huanca Auqui, he was again
defeated by Chalco Chima,
the adventurous captain of the army of Atahualpa.
The greater part
of the forces of Huanca Auqui was killed. He himself fled, never stopping until he reached Paucaray. Here he found a good company of orejones of Cuzco, under a captain named Mayta Yupanqui who, on the part
of Huascar, rebuked Huanca Auqui,
asking how it was possible for him to have lost so many battles and so many
men, unless he was secretly in concert with Chalco Chima. He answered that the accusation was not true,
that he could not have done more; and he told Mayta Yupanqui to go against their enemy, and see what power he
brought. He said that Atahualpa was determined to advance if they could
not hinder his captains. Then Mayta Yupanqui went on to encounter Chalco Chima, and met him at the bridge of Anco-yacu where there were many skirmishes, but finally
the orejones were defeated.
LXIV. HUASCAR INCA
MARCHES IN PERSON TO FIGHT CHALCO CHIMA AND QUIZ-QUIZ, THE CAPTAINS OF
ATAHUALPA.
As the fortune of
Huascar and his captains, especially of Huanca Auqui, was so inferior to that of Atahualpa and his
adventurous and dexterous captains Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, one side meeting with nothing that did
not favour them, the other side with nothing that was
not against them, such terrible fear took possession of Huanca Auqui and the other Inca captains after the battle of Anco-yacu bridge, that they fled without stopping to Vilcas, 20 and more leagues from Anco-yacu,
on the road to Cuzco.
Over the satisfaction
that the captains of Atahualpa felt at the glory of so many victories that they
had won, there came the news sent by Atahualpa that he had come in person to Caxamarca and Huamachuco, that he
had been received as Inca by all the nations he had passed, and that he had
assumed the fringe and the Ccapac-uncu.
He was now called Inca of all the land, and it was declared that there was no
other Inca but him. He ordered his captains to march onwards conquering,
until they encountered Huascar. They were to give him battle, conquer him
like the rest, and if possible take him prisoner. Atahualpa was so elated
by his victories, and assumed such majesty, that he did not cease to talk of
his successes, and no one dared to raise his eyes before him. For those
who had business with him he appointed a lieutenant called “Inca Apu,” which means “the Inca’s lord,”
who was to take his place by the Inca when he was seated. Those who had
business transacted it with him, entering with a load on their backs, and their
eyes on the ground, and thus they spoke of their business with the Apu. He then reported to Atahualpa, who
decided what was to be done. Atahualpa was very cruel, he killed right
and left, destroyed, burnt, and desolated whatever opposed him. From
Quito to Huamachuco he perpetrated the greatest
cruelties, robberies, outrages, and tyrannies that had ever
been done in that land.
When Atahualpa
arrived at Huamachuco, two principal lords of his
house came to offer sacrifice to the huaca of Huamachuco for the success that had attended their
cause. These orejones went,
made the sacrifice, and consulted the oracle. They received an answer
that Atahualpa would have an unfortunate end, because he was such a cruel
tyrant and shedder of so much human blood. They delivered this reply of
the devil to Atahualpa. It enraged him against the oracle, so he called
out his guards and went to where the huaca was
kept. Having surrounded the place, he took a halberd of gold in his hand,
and was accompanied by the two officers of his household who had made the
sacrifice. When he came to where the idol was, an old man aged a hundred
years came out, clothed in a dress reaching down to the ground, very woolly and
covered with sea shells. He was the priest of the oracle who had made the
reply. When Atahualpa knew who he was, he raised the halberd and gave him
a blow which cut off his head. Atahualpa then entered the house of the
idol, and cut off its head also with many blows, though it was made of
stone. He then ordered the old man’s body, the idol, and its house to be
burnt, and the cinders to be scattered in the air. He then levelled the
hill, though it was very large, where that oracle, idol or huaca of the devil stood.
All this being
made known to Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, they celebrated festivals and rejoicings, and then resumed their
march towards Cuzco. Huascar received reports of all that had happened,
and mourned over the great number of men he had lost. He clearly saw that
there only remained the remedy of going forth in person to try his fortune,
which had hitherto been so adverse. In preparation he kept some fasts—for
these gentiles also have a certain kind of fasting, made many sacrifices to the
idols and oracles of Cuzco, and sought for replies. All answered that the
event would be adverse to him. On hearing this he consulted his diviners
and wizards, called by them umu, who, to
please him, gave him hope of a fortunate ending. He got together a
powerful army, and sent out scouts to discover the position of the enemy.
The hostile army was reported to be at a place, 14 leagues from Cuzco, called Curahuasi [near the bridge over the Apurimac]. They
found there Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, and reported that they had left the main road to Cuzco, and had
taken that of Cotabamba, which is on the right,
coming from Caxamarca or Lima to Cuzco. This
route was taken to avoid the bad road and dangerous pass by the Apurimac
bridge.
Huascar divided
his army into three divisions. One consisted of the men of Cunti-suyu, Charcas, Colla-suyu, Chuys, and Chile
under the command of a captain named Arampa Yupanqui. His orders were to advance over Cotabamba towards another neighbouring province of the Omasayos, to harass the enemy on the
side of the river of Cotabamba and the Apurimac
bridge. The survivors of the former battles, under Huanca Auqui, Ahua Panti, and Pacta Mayta,
were to attack the enemy on one flank, and to march into Cotabamba.
Huascar in person commanded a third division. Thus all the forces of both
Huascar and Atahualpa were in Cotabamba.
Arampa Yupanqui got news that the forces of Atahualpa were passing
through a small valley or ravine which leads from Huanacu-pampa.
He marched to oppose them, and fought with a strong squadron of the troops
under Chalco Chima.
He advanced resolutely to the encounter, and slew many of the enemy, including
one of their captains named Tomay Rima. This
gave Huascar great satisfaction and he said laughingly to the orejones—“The Collas have
won this victory. Behold the obligation we have to imitate our ancestors.”
Presently the captains-general of his army, who were Titu Atauchi, Tupac Atao his
brother, Nano, Urco Huaranca and others, marshalled the army to fight those of
Atahualpa with their whole force. The armies confronted each other and
attacked with skill and in good order.
The battle lasted
from morning nearly until sunset, many being slain on both sides, though the
troops of Huascar did not suffer so much as those of Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz. The latter seeing their
danger, many of them retreated to a large grassy plateau which was near, in Huanacu-pampa. Huascar, who saw this, set fire to the
grass and burnt a great part of Atahualpa’s forces.
Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz then retreated to the other side of the
river Cotabamba. Huascar, satisfied with what
he had done, did not follow up his advantages, but enjoyed the victory which
fortune had placed in his hands. For this he took a higher
position. Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, who were experienced in such manoeuvres, seeing that they were
not followed, decided to rest their troops, and on another day to attack those
who believed themselves to be conquerors. They sent spies to the camp of
Huascar, and found from them that Huascar would send a certain division of his
troops to take Atahualpa’s captains, without their being able to escape.
LXV. THE BATTLE
BETWEEN THE ARMIES OF HUASCAR AND ATAHUALPA HUASCAR MADE PRISONER.
When the morning
of the next day arrived Huascar determined to finish off the army of his
brother at one blow. He ordered Tupac Atao to
go down the ravine with a squadron, discover the position of the enemy, and
report what he had seen. Tupac Atao received
this order and entered the ravine in great silence, looking from side to
side. But the spies of Chalco Chima saw everything without being seen themselves and gave
notice to Chalco Chima and
Quiz-quiz. Chalco Chima then divided his men into two parts and stationed them at the sides of the road
where the orejones would pass.
When Tupac Atao came onwards, they attacked him to
such purpose that scarcely any one escaped, Tupac Atao himself was taken, badly wounded, by whom Chalco Chima was informed that Huascar would follow him with only
a squadron of 5000 men, while the rest of his army remained in Huanacu-pampa.
Chalco Chima sent this information to Quiz-quiz, who was at a
little distance, that they might unite forces. He told him that Tupac Atao was taken, that Huascar was expected with a small
force, and that Quiz-quiz was wanted that both might take this enemy on the
flanks. This was done. They divided their forces, placing them on
both sides as in the attack on Tupac Atao. A
short time after they entered the ravine, Huascar and his men came upon the
dead bodies of the men of Tupac Atao who, being known
to Huascar he wished to turn back, understanding that they were all dead and
that there must have been some ambush. But it was too late, for he was
surrounded by his enemies. Then he was attacked by the troops of Chalco Chima. When he tried
to fly from those who fell upon his rear, he fell into the hands of Quiz-quiz
who was waiting for him lower down. Those of Chalco Chima and those of Quiz-quiz fought with great
ferocity, sparing none, and killing them all. Chalco Chima, searching for Huascar, saw him in his litter
and seized him by the hands, and pulled him out of his litter. Thus was
taken prisoner the unfortunate Huascar Inca, twelfth and last tyrant of the
Inca Sovereigns of Peru, falling into the power of another greater and more
cruel tyrant than himself, his people defeated, killed, and scattered.
Placing Huascar in
safe durance with a sufficient guard, Chalco Chima went on in the Inca’s litter and
detached 5000 of his men to advance towards the other troops remaining on the
plain of Huanacu-pampa. He ordered that all the
rest should follow Quiz-quiz, and that when he let fall the screen, they should
attack. He executed this stratagem because his enemies thought that he
was Huascar returning victorious, so they waited. He advanced and arrived
where the troops of Huascar were waiting for their lord, who, when they saw
him, still thought that it was Huascar bringing his enemies as prisoners.
When Chalco Chima was quite
near, he let loose a prisoner who had been wounded, who went to the Inca
troops. He told them what had happened, that it was Chalco Chima, and that he could kill them all by this
stratagem. When this was known, and that Chalco Chima would presently order them to be attacked with
his whole force, for he had let the screen fall, which was to be the sign, the
Inca troops gave way and took to flight, which was what Chalco Chima intended. The troops of Atahualpa
pursued, wounding and killing with excessive cruelty and ferocity, continuing
the slaughter, with unheard of havock, as far as the
bridge of Cotabamba. As the bridge was narrow
and all could not cross it, many jumped into the water from fear of their
ferocious pursuers, and were drowned. The troops of Atahualpa crossed the
river, continuing the pursuit and rejoicing in their victory. During the
pursuit they captured Titu Atauchi,
the brother of Huascar. Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz arrived at some houses called Quiuipay, about half a league from Cuzco, where they placed
Huascar as a prisoner with a sufficient guard. Here they encamped and
established their head-quarters.
The soldiers of Chalco Chima went to get a view
of Cuzco from the hill of Yauina overlooking the
city, where they heard the mourning and lamentation of the inhabitants, and
returned to inform Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz. Those captains sent a messenger to Cuzco to tell the
inhabitants not to mourn, for that there was nothing to fear, it being well
known that this was a war between two brothers for the gratification of their
own passions. If any of them had helped Huascar they had not committed a
crime, for they were bound to serve their Inca; and if there was any fault he
would remit and pardon it, in the name of the great Lord Atahualpa.
Presently he would order them all to come out and do reverence to the statue of
Atahualpa, called Ticci Ccapac which means “Lord of the World.”
The people of
Cuzco consulted together, and resolved to come forth and obey the commands of Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz.
They came according to their ayllus and,
on arriving at Quiuipay, they seated themselves in
that order. Presently the troops of Atahualpa, fully armed, surrounded
all those who had come from Cuzco. They took Huanca Auqui, Ahua Panti, and Paucar Usna, who had led the army against them in the battle at Tumipampa. Then they took Apu Chalco Yupanqui and Rupaca, Priests of the Sun, because these had given the
fringe to Huascar. These being prisoners Quiz-quiz rose and said—“Now
you know of the battles you have fought with me on the road, and the trouble
you have caused me. You always raised Huascar to be Inca, who was not the
heir. You treated evilly the Inca Atahualpa whom the Sun guards, and for
these things you deserve death. But using you with humanity, I pardon you
in the name of my Lord Atahualpa, whom may the Sun prosper.”
But that they
might not be without any punishment, he ordered them to be given some blows
with a great stone on the shoulders, and he killed the most culpable.
Then he ordered that all should be tied by the knees, with their faces towards Caxamarca or Huamachuco where
Atahualpa was, and he made them pull out their eyelashes and eyebrows as an
offering to the new Inca. All the orejones,
inhabitants of Cuzco, did this from fear, saying in a loud voice, “Long
live! Live for many years Atahualpa our Inca, may our father the Sun
increase his life!”
Araua Ocllo, the mother of Huascar, and his wife Chucuy Huypa, were there, and
were dishonoured and abused by Quiz-quiz. In a
loud voice the mother of Huascar said to her son, who was a prisoner, “O
unfortunate! thy cruelties and evil deeds have brought you to this state.
Did I not tell you not to be so cruel, and not to kill nor ill-treat the
messengers of your brother Atahualpa.” Having said these words she came
to him, and gave him a blow in the face.
Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz then sent a messenger to Atahualpa,
letting him know all that had happened, and that they had made prisoners of
Huascar and many others, and asking for further orders.
LXVI. WHAT CHALCO
CHIMA AND QUIZ-QUIZ DID CONCERNING HUASCAR AND THOSE OF HIS SIDE IN WORDS.
After Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz had
sent off the messengers to Atahualpa, they caused the prisoners to be brought
before them, and in the presence of all, and of the mother and wife of Huascar,
they declared, addressing themselves to the mother of Huascar, that she was the
concubine and not the wife of Huayna Ccapac, and
that, being his concubine, she had borne Huascar, also that she was a vile
woman and not a Coya. The troops of Atahualpa
raised a shout of derision, and some said to the orejones,
pointing their fingers at Huascar—“Look there at your lord! who said that in
the battle he would turn fire and water against his enemies?” Huascar was then
tied hand and foot on a bed of ropes of straws. The orejones, from shame, lowered their heads.
Presently Quiz-quiz asked Huascar, “Who of these made you lord, there being
others better and more valiant than you, who might have been chosen?” Araua Ocllo, speaking to her son,
said, “You deserve all this my son as I told you, and all comes from the
cruelty with which you treated your own relations.” Huascar replied,
“Mother! there is now no remedy, leave us,” and he addressed himself to the
priest Chalco Yupanqui,
saying—“Speak and answer the question asked by Quiz-quiz.” The priest
said to Quiz-quiz, “I raised him to be lord and Inca by command of his father
Huayna Ccapac, and because he was son of a Coya” (which is what we should call Infanta). Then Chalco Chima was indignant, and
called the priest a deceiver and a liar. Huascar answered to Quiz-quiz,
“Leave off these arguments. This is a question between me and my brother,
and not between the parties of Hanan-cuzco and Hurin-cuzco. We will investigate it, and you have no
business to meddle between us on this point.”
Enraged at the
answer Chalco Chima ordered
Huascar to be taken back to prison, and said to the Incas, to re-assure them,
that they could now go back to the city as they were pardoned. The orejones returned, invoking Viracocha in
loud voices with these words—“O Creator! thou who givest life and favour to the Incas where art thou
now? Why dost thou allow such persecution to come upon us?
Wherefore didst thou exalt us, if we are to come to such an end?” Saying these
words they beat their cloaks in token of the curse that had come upon them all.
LXVII. THE
CRUELTIES THAT ATAHUALPA ORDERED TO BE PERPETRATED ON THE PRISONERS AND
CONQUERED OF HUASCAR’S PARTY.
When Atahualpa
knew what had happened, from the messengers of Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, he ordered one of his relations
named Cusi Yupanqui to go
to Cuzco, and not to leave a relation or friend of Huascar alive. This Cusi Yupanqui arrived at Cuzco,
and Chalco Chima and
Quiz-quiz delivered the prisoners to him. He made inquiries touching all
that Atahualpa had ordered. He then caused poles to be fixed on both
sides of the road, extending not more than a quarter of a league along the way
to Xaquixahuana. Next he brought out of the
prison all the wives of Huascar, including those pregnant or lately
delivered. He ordered them to be hung to these poles with their children,
and he ordered the pregnant to be cut open, and the stillborn to be hung with
them. Then he caused the sons of Huascar to be brought out and hung to
the poles.
Among the sons of
Huayna Ccapac who were prisoners there was one named Paullu Tupac. When they were going to kill him, he
protested saying, it was unreasonable that he should be killed, because he had
previously been imprisoned by Huascar; and on this ground he was released and
escaped death. Yet the reason that he was imprisoned by Huascar was
because he had been found with one of the Inca’s wives.
He was only given very little to eat, the intention being that he should die in
prison. The woman with whom he was taken was buried alive. The wars
coming on he escaped, and what has been related took place.
After this the
lords and ladies of Cuzco who were found to have been friends of Huascar were
seized and hanged on the poles. Then there was an examination of all the
houses of deceased Incas, to see which had been on the side of Huascar, and
against Atahualpa. They found that the house of Tupac Inca Yupanqui had sided with Huascar. Cusi Yupanqui committed the punishment of the house to Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz.
They seized the steward of the house, and the mummy of Tupac Inca, and those of
his family and hung them all, and they burnt the body of Tupac Inca outside the
town and reduced it to ashes. And to destroy the house completely, they
killed many mama cuñas and servants,
so that none were left of that house except a few of no account. Besides
this they ordered all the Chachapoyas and Canaris to be
killed, and their Curaca named Ulco Colla, who they said had rebelled against the two
brothers.
All these murders
and cruelties were perpetrated in the presence of Huascar to torment him.
They murdered over 80 sons and daughters of Huascar, and what he felt most
cruelly was the murder, before his eyes, of one of his sisters named Coya Miro, who had a son of Huascar in her arms, and
another in her womb; and another very beautiful sister named Chimbo Cisa. Breaking his
heart at the sight of such cruelty and grief which he was powerless to prevent,
he cried, with a sigh, “Oh Pachayachachi Viracocha,
thou who showed favour to me for so short a time, and honoured me and gave me life, dost thou see that I am
treated in this way, and seest thou in thy presence
what I, in mine, have seen and see.”
Some of the
concubines of Huascar escaped from this cruelty and calamity, because they had
neither borne a child nor were pregnant, and because they were beautiful.
They say that they were kept to be taken to Atahualpa. Among those who
escaped were Dona Elvira Chonay, daughter of Cañar Ccapac, Dona Beatriz Carnamaruay,
daughter of the Curaca of Chinchay-cocha,
Dona Juana Tocto, Dona Catalina Usica,
wife, that was, of Don Paullu Tupac, and mother of
Don Carlos, who are living now. In this way the line and lineage of the
unfortunate tyrant Huascar, the last of the Incas, was completely annihilated.
LXVIII. NEWS OF
THE SPANIARDS COMES TO ATAHUALPA.
Atahualpa was at Huamachuco celebrating great festivals for his victories,
and he wished to proceed to Cuzco and assume the fringe in the House of the
Sun, where all former Incas had received it When he was about to set out there
came to him two Tallanas Indians, sent by the Curacas of Payta and Tumbez, to report to him that there had arrived by sea,
which they call cocha, a people with
different clothing, and with beards, and that they brought animals like large
sheep. The chief of them was believed to be Viracocha, which
means the god of these people, and he brought with him many Viracochas, which is as much as to say “gods.”
They said this of the Governor Don Francisco Pizarro, who had arrived with 180
men and some horses which they called sheep. As the account in detail is
left for the history of the Spaniards, which will form the Third Part to come
after this, I will only here speak briefly of what passed between the Spaniards
and Atahualpa.
When this became
known to Atahualpa he rejoiced greatly, believing it to be the Viracocha coming,
as he had promised when he departed, and as is recounted in the beginning of
this history. Atahualpa gave thanks that he should have come in his time,
and he sent back the messengers with thanks to the Curacas for sending the news, and ordering them to keep him informed of what might
happen. He resolved not to go to Cuzco until he had seen what this
arrival was, and what the Viracochas intended
to do. He sent orders to Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz to lose no time in bringing Huascar to Caxamarca, where he would go to await their arrival, for he
had received news that certain Viracochas had
arrived by sea, and he wished to be there to see what they were like.
As no further news
came, because the Spaniards were forming a station at Tangarara,
Atahualpa became careless and believed that they had gone. For, at
another time, when he was marching with his father, in the wars of Quito, news
came to Huayna Ccapac that the Viracocha had
arrived on the coast near Tumbez, and then they had
gone away. This was when Don Francisco Pizarro came on the first
discovery, and returned to Spain for a concession, as will be explained in its
place.
LXIX. THE
SPANIARDS COME TO CAXAMARCA AND SEIZE ATAHUALPA, WHO ORDERS HUASCAR TO BE
KILLED. ATAHUALPA ALSO DIES.
As the subject of
which this chapter treats belongs to the Third Part (the history of the
Spaniards), I shall here only give a summary of what happened to
Atahualpa. Although Atahualpa was careless about the Spaniards they did
not miss a point, and when they heard where Atahualpa was, they left Tangarara and arrived at Caxamarca.
When Atahualpa knew that the Viracochas were
near, he left Caxamarca and went to some baths at a
distance of half a league that he might, from there, take the course which
seemed best. As he found that they were not gods as he had been made to
think at first, he prepared his warriors to resist the Spaniards. Finally
he was taken prisoner by Don Francisco Pizarro, the Friar, Vicente Valverde,
having first made a certain demand, in the square of Caxamarca.
Don Francisco
Pizarro knew of the disputes there had been between Atahualpa and Huascar, and
that Huascar was a prisoner in the hands of the captains of Atahualpa, and he
urged Atahualpa to have his brother brought as quickly as possible.
Huascar was being brought to Caxamarca by Atahualpa’s
order, as has already been said. Chalco Chima obeying this order, set out with Huascar and the
captains and relations who had escaped the butchery of Cusi Yupanqui. Atahualpa asked Don Francisco Pizarro
why he wanted to see his brother. Pizarro replied that he had been
informed that Huascar was the elder and principal Lord of that land and for
that reason he wished to see him, and he desired that he should come.
Atahualpa feared that if Huascar came alive, the Governor Don Francisco Pizarro
would be informed of what had taken place, that Huascar would be made Lord, and
that he would lose his state. Being sagacious, he agreed to comply with
Pizarro’s demand, but sent off a messenger to the captain who was bringing
Huascar, with an order to kill him and all the prisoners. The messenger
started and found Huascar at Antamarca, near Yana-mayu. He gave his message to the captain of the guard
who was bringing Huascar as a prisoner.
Directly the
captain heard the order of Atahualpa he complied with it. He killed
Huascar, cut the body up, and threw it into the river Yana-mayu. He also killed the rest of the brothers,
relations, and captains who were with him as prisoners, in the year 1533.
Huascar had lived 40 years. He succeeded his father at the age of 31 and
reigned for 9 years. His wife was Chucuy Huypa by whom he had no male child. He left no
lineage or ayllu, and of those who are now living, one only, named
Don Alonso Titu Atauchi is
a nephew of Huascar, son of Titu Atauchi who was murdered with Huascar. He alone sustains the name of the lineage
of Huascar called the Huascar Ayllu. In this river of Yana-mayu Atahualpa had fixed his boundary pillars when he first
rebelled, saying that from thence to Chile should be for his brother Huascar,
and from the Yana-mayu onwards should be
his. Thus with the death of Huascar there was an end to all the Incas of
Peru and all their line and descent which they held to be legitimate, without
leaving man or woman who could have a claim on this country, supposing them to
have been natural and legitimate lords of it, in conformity with their own customs
and tyrannical laws.
For this murder of
Huascar, and for other good and sufficient causes, the Governor Don Francisco
Pizarro afterwards put Atahualpa to death. He was a tyrant against the
natives of this country and against his brother Huascar. He had lived 36
years. He was not Inca of Peru, but a tyrant. He was prudent,
sagacious, and valiant, as I shall relate in the Third Part, being events which
belong to the deeds of the Spaniards. It suffices to close this Second
Part by completing the history of the deeds of the 12 Inca tyrants who reigned
in this kingdom of Peru from Manco Ccapac the first
to Huascar the twelfth and last tyrant.
LXX. IT IS
NOTEWORTHY HOW THESE INCAS WERE TYRANTS AGAINST THEMSELVES, BESIDES BEING SO
AGAINST THE NATIVES OF THE LAND.
It is a thing
worthy to be noted [for the fact that besides being a thing certain and
evident the general tyranny of these cruel and tyrannical Incas of Peru against
the natives of the land, may be easily gathered from history], and any one who reads and considers with attention the order
and mode of their procedure will see, that their violent Incaship was established without the will and election of the natives who always rose
with arms in their hands on each occasion that offered for rising against their
Inca tyrants who oppressed them, to get back their liberty. Each one of
the Incas not only followed the tyranny of his father, but also began afresh
the same tyranny by force, with deaths, robberies and rapine. Hence none
of them could pretend, in good faith, to give a beginning to time of
prescription, nor did any of them hold in peaceful possession, there being
always some one to dispute and take up arms against
them and their tyranny. Moreover, and this is above all to be noted, to
understand the worst aims of these tyrants and their horrid avarice and
oppression, they were not satisfied with being evil tyrants to the natives, but
also to their own proper sons, brothers and relations, in defiance of their own
laws and statutes, they were the worst and most pertinacious tyrants with an
unheard-of inhumanity. For it was enacted among themselves and by their
customs and laws that the eldest legitimate son should succeed, yet almost
always they broke the law, as appears by the Incas who are here referred to.
Before all things
Manco Ccapac, the first tyrant, coming from Tampu-tocco, was inhuman in the case of his brother Ayar Cachi, sending him to Tampu-tocco cunningly with orders for Tampu-chacay to kill him out of envy, because he was the
bravest, and might for that reason be the most esteemed. When he arrived
at the valley of Cuzco he not only tyrannized over the natives, but also over Copalimayta and Columchima who,
though they had been received as natives of that valley were his relations, for
they were orejones. Then Sinchi Rocca, the second Inca, having an older legitimate
son named Manco Sapaca who, according to the law he
and his father had made, was entitled to the succession, deprived him and
nominated Lloqui Yupanqui the second son for his successor. Likewise Mayta Ccapac, the fourth Inca, named for his successor Ccapac Yupanqui, though he had an
older legitimate son named Cunti Mayta,
whom he disinherited. Viracocha, the eighth Inca, although he
had an older legitimate son named Inca Rocca, did not name him as his
successor, nor any of his legitimate sons, but a bastard named Inca Urco. This did not come about, Inca Urco did not enjoy the succession, nor did the
eldest legitimate son, for there was a new tyranny. For Inca Yupanqui deprived both the one and the other, besides
despoiling his father of his honours and
estate. The same Inca Yupanqui, having an elder
legitimate son named Amaru Tupac Inca, did not name
him, but a young son, Tupac Inca Yupanqui. The
same Tupac Inca, being of the same condition as his father, having Huayna Ccapac as the eldest legitimate son, named Ccapac Huari as his successor, although the relations of
Huayna Ccapac would not allow it, and rose in his favour. If Ccapac Huari was
legitimate, as his relations affirm, the evil deed must be fixed on Huayna Ccapac, who deprived his brother Ccapac Huari, and killed his mother and all his relations, making them infamous as
traitors, that is supposing he was legitimate. Huayna Ccapac,
though he named Ninan Cuyoche,
he was not the eldest, and owing to this the succession remained unsettled, and
caused the differences between Huascar and Atahualpa, whence proceeded the
greatest and most unnatural tyrannies. Turning their arms
against their own entrails, robbing, and with inhuman intestine wars they came
to a final end. Thus as they commenced by their own authority, so they
destroyed all by their own proper hands.
It may be that
Almighty God permits that one shall be the executioner of the other for his
evil deeds, that both may give place to his most holy gospel which, by the
hands of the Spaniards, and by order of the most happy, catholic, and
unconquered Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V of glorious memory, father of
your Majesty, was sent to these blind and barbarous gentiles. Yet against
the force and power of the Incas on foot and united, it appeared that it would
be impossible for human force to do what a few Spaniards did, numbering only 180,
who at first entered with the Governor Don Francisco Pizarro.
It is well
established that it is a thing false and without reason, and which ought not to
be said, that there is now, in these kingdoms, any person of the lineage of the
Incas who can pretend to a right of succession to the Incaship of this kingdom of Peru, nor to be natural or legitimate lords. For no
one is left who, in conformity with their laws, is able to say that he is the
heir, in whole or in part of this land. Only two sons of Huayna Ccapac escaped the cruelty of Atahualpa. They were Paullu Tupac, afterwards called Don Cristoval Paullu, and Manco Inca. They were bastards,
which is well known among them. And these, if any honour or estate had belonged to them or their children, your Majesty would have
granted more than they had, their brothers retaining their estate and
power. For they would merely have been their tributaries and
servants. These were the lowest of all, for their lineage was on the side
of their mothers which is what these people look at, in a question of birth.
And Manco Inca had
been a traitor to your Majesty and was a fugitive in the Andes where he died or
was killed. Your Majesty caused his son to be brought out, in peace, from
those savage wilds. He was named Don Diego Sayri Tupac. He became a Christian, and provision was made for him, his sons
and descendants. Sayri Tupac died as a
Christian, and he who is now in the Andes in rebellion, named Titu Cusi Yupanqui,
is not a legitimate son of Manco Inca, but a bastard and apostate. They
hold that another son is legitimate who is with the same Titu,
named Tupac Amaru, but he is incapable and the
Indians called him uti. Neither one
nor the other are heirs of the land, because their father was not legitimate.
Your Majesty honoured Don Cristoval Paullu with titles and granted him a good repartimiento of
Indians, on which he principally lived. Now it is possessed by his son
Don Carlos. Paullu left two legitimate sons who
are now alive, named Don Carlos and Don Felipe. Besides these he left
many illegitimate sons. Thus the known grandsons of Huayna Ccapac, who are now alive and admitted to be so, are those
above mentioned. Besides these there are Don Alonso Titu Atauchi, son of Titu Atauchi, and other bastards, but neither one nor the other
has any right to be called a natural lord of the land.
For the above
reasons it will be right to say to those whose duty it may be to decide, that
on such clear evidence is based the most just and legitimate title that your
Majesty and your successors have to these parts of the Indies, proved by the
actual facts that are here written, more especially as regards these kingdoms
of Peru without a point to raise against the said titles by which the crown of
Spain holds them. Respecting which your Viceroy of these kingdoms, Don
Francisco Toledo, has been a careful and most curious enquirer, as zealous for
the clearing of the conscience of your Majesty, and for the salvation of your
soul, as he has shown and now shows himself in the general visitation which he
is making by order of your Majesty, in his own person, not avoiding the very
great labours and dangers which he is suffering in
these journeys, so long as they result in so great a service to God and your
Majesty.
LXXI. SUMMARY
COMPUTATION OF THE PERIOD THAT THE INCAS OF PERU LASTED.
The terrible and
inveterate tyranny of the Incas Ccapac of Peru, which
had its seat in the city of Cuzco, commenced in the year 565 of our Christian
redemption, Justin II being Emperor, Loyva son of Athanagild the Goth being King of Spain, and John III
Supreme Pontiff. It ended in 1533, Charles V being the most meritorious
Emperor and most Christian King of Spain and its dependencies, patron of the
church and right arm of Christendom, assuredly worthy of such a son as your
Majesty whom may God our Lord take by the hand as is necessary for the Holy
Christian church. Paul III was then Pope. The whole period from
Manco Ccapac to the death of Huascar was 968 years.
It is not to be
wondered at that these Incas lived for so long a time, for in that age nature
was stronger and more robust than in these days. Besides men did not then
marry until they were past thirty. They thus reached such an age with
force and substance whole and undiminished. For these reasons they lived
much longer than is the case now. Besides the country where they lived
has a healthy climate and uncorrupted air. The land is cleared, dry,
without lakes, morasses, or forests with dense vegetation. These
qualities all conduce to health, and therefore to the long life of the
inhabitants whom may God our Lord lead into his holy faith, for the salvation
of their souls. Amen.
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