Inca Empire
The Inca state of Cusco and its empire, Tawantinsuyu, from its rise in the 13th and 15th centuries to the fall of the last Inca state at Vilcabamba in 1572.
Category: States
- c. 1200The Inca found the Kingdom of Cusco in the Andes
In the early 1200s, Manco Capac leads the Inca in forming the Kingdom of Cusco. It later grows into the Inca Empire.
- 1438Pachacuti begins the expansion that creates the Inca Empire
In 1438 Pachacuti, the ninth Sapa Inca, starts the conquests that turn the Cusco state into Tawantinsuyu. He reigns until 1471, and his successors extend the empire north and south.
- c. 1527Huayna Capac dies, possibly in an epidemic that reached the Andes before the Spanish
The Inca emperor dies around 1527 (sources give 1525 to 1528), perhaps of smallpox, an attribution that is disputed. His heir Ninan Cuyochi also dies, leaving a succession dispute between his sons.
- 1529 – 1532Huáscar and Atahualpa fight a civil war for the Inca throne
From about 1529 to 1532 the sons of Huayna Capac fight over the empire. Atahualpa's generals defeat and capture Huáscar at Quipaipán in April 1532, just before the Spanish arrive.
- 1532Francisco Pizarro lands in Peru with about 168 men
On his third voyage, in 1531 to 1532, Pizarro reaches Peru with about 168 Spaniards, 106 on foot and 62 on horseback, and heads inland towards the Inca emperor Atahualpa.
- November 16, 1532Pizarro ambushes Atahualpa's party at Cajamarca and captures the Inca emperor
On 16 November 1532 Pizarro's men attack Atahualpa's unarmed entourage in Cajamarca's plaza and seize him. Estimates put the Inca dead at about 2,000 to 3,000; most sources report no Spanish deaths.
- December 20, 1532 – May 3, 1533Atahualpa offers a room of gold and silver for his freedom
The captive emperor offers to fill a room once with gold and twice with silver. Deliveries begin on 20 December 1532, and by 3 May 1533 Pizarro has received all the treasure. Atahualpa is not freed.
- 1533Spanish authorities garrote Atahualpa at Cajamarca
Tried on charges that include the murder of his brother Huáscar, Atahualpa is garrotted in 1533 after accepting baptism, which spares him burning. Sources disagree on the day: 26 July or 29 August.
- November 15, 1533Pizarro's army enters Cusco, the Inca capital
On 15 November 1533 the Spanish enter Cusco. Pizarro first installs Túpac Huallpa, who dies, and then Manco Inca, who later turns against the Spanish.
- April 1536 – 1537Manco Inca rises against the Spanish and besieges Cusco
In April 1536 Manco Inca tries to retake Cusco, and the siege lasts until the following spring. He eventually withdraws and later flees to Vilcabamba.
- 1537Manco Inca founds the Neo-Inca State at Vilcabamba
After the failed siege, Manco Inca withdraws to the mountains of Vilcabamba around 1537 and sets up a successor state that resists Spain for decades. It is sacked in 1539 and again in 1572.
- June 24, 1572Spanish forces enter Vilcabamba and end the Neo-Inca State
After Viceroy Toledo declares war on 14 April 1572, Spanish forces enter Vilcabamba on 24 June and find it deserted. The last independent Inca state ends.
- September 24, 1572Túpac Amaru I, the last Inca ruler, is executed in Cusco
On 24 September 1572 Viceroy Toledo has Túpac Amaru I beheaded in Cusco after a trial, in front of 10,000 to 15,000 witnesses. Many argue Toledo exceeded his authority, and Philip II reportedly disapproved.