History of the Incas

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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_][89] and the Inca returned
to Cuzco.

[Note 89: This is untrue. The splendid ruins remain to this day. The
place was long held against the Spaniards by Inca Manco.]

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[90].

[Note 90: 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[91], which means "he who knows and oversees all."

[Note 91: _Tucuyricuc_, he who sees all. _Tucuy_ means all. _Ricini_
to see. Garcilasso de la Vega, I. lib. ii. cap. 14. Balboa, p. 115.
Montesinos, p. 55. Santillana, p. 17.]

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-cunas or nuns who were there. He assisted one
day, to see how the Mama-cunas 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-cunas 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_[92],
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_[93].

[Note 92: Llasa-huasi. _Llasa_ means weight, from _llasani_ to
weigh. _Huasi_ a house.]

[Note 93: Samgaguacy. This should be _Samca-huasi_, a prison for
grave offences. Serpents and toads were put into the prison with the
delinquents. Mossi, p. 233.]

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[94].

[Note 94: For accounts of the _chasquis_ or Inca couriers see
Garcilasso de la Vega, ii. pp. 49, 60, 119, 120, 121. Balboa, p. 248.
Polo de Ondegardo, p. 169.]

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 Maranon. 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[95].

[Note 95: Garcilasso de la Vega also gives an account of the flight
of the Chancas under Anco-ayllu or Hanco-hualla, ii. pp. 82, 329.]

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.

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