Tawantinsuyu, also known as the Inca Empire, was a pre-Columbian state in western South America from the 13th to 16th century. The empire was centered in the Andean highlands of modern-day Peru, but it extended into parts of what is now Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Here are key aspects of Tawantinsuyu:
Origin and Expansion
- The empire was founded around 1200 AD by Manco Capac, the first Sapa Inca, in the Cusco region. The name 'Tawantinsuyu' means "Land of the Four Quarters," reflecting the division of the empire into four provinces: Chinchaysuyu, Antisuyu, Collasuyu, and Contisuyu.
- Under leaders like Pachacuti and his son Topa Inca Yupanqui, the empire expanded through a combination of military conquest, diplomacy, and integration of local rulers into the Inca system.
Government and Society
- The Inca Empire was highly centralized with the Sapa Inca as the divine ruler, considered the son of the sun god Inti.
- The administration was divided into a complex bureaucracy with officials responsible for various aspects like tax collection, labor distribution, and public works.
- Society was structured hierarchically with the nobility at the top, followed by commoners, artisans, and at the bottom, the yanacona (servants).
Economy
- The Inca economy was based on agriculture, with advanced terrace farming, irrigation systems, and the use of chinampas for food production.
- They practiced a form of collective labor known as mita, where citizens contributed labor to public works in exchange for communal benefits.
- Trade was regulated through a system of tribute and redistribution, with the Qhapaq Ñan (Inca Road System) facilitating commerce and communication.
Culture and Religion
- Inca culture was rich with art, textiles, music, and storytelling. They developed a unique form of record-keeping known as quipu, which used knots to encode information.
- Their religion was polytheistic, centered around the worship of Inti, the sun god, but included many other deities like Viracocha, the creator god.
- Important religious ceremonies, like Inti Raymi, were celebrated with great pomp to ensure agricultural fertility.
Decline
- The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro in 1532 marked the beginning of the end for Tawantinsuyu.
- Internal strife, particularly the civil war between Huáscar and Atahualpa, weakened the empire, making it vulnerable to conquest.
- Smallpox epidemics, introduced by Europeans, decimated the population, further facilitating Spanish conquest.
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