One of Peru’s most fascinating aspects is the Spanish invasion of Peru and the struggle against the Incas. Although the Spaniards were meaner and clever, and they’d already conquered a great part of Peruvian territory, one of the first hints of rebellion was thanks to Manco Inca.
Although the Spanish installed him as puppet leader, Manco Inca held a grudge against them due to the mistreatment they gave him and also for the oppression and cruelty with which they treated the inca people.
Let’s get into the details about this story of boldness and bravery, and how Manco Inca’s legacy is still alive in the Andean people today.
The Inca Empire before Manco Inca
Just before the Spanish Conquest, the empire experienced a civil war between the brothers Atahualpa and Huascar, both children of Inca Huayna Capac.
This conflict weakened the whole empire, which eased the task of the Spanish, who wanted to conquer lands and people in the New World.
On November 15, 1532, the Spanish army, led by Francisco Pizarro, landed on Peruvian soil. Atahualpa was tired after defeating his brother in a fierce battle, so he welcomed the Spaniards as he didn’t know about their intentions.
The Spaniards set an ambush on Atahualpa; they told him the importance of converting to catholicism and recognizing Charles V as his king.
Without knowing what it was about, a priest gave Atahualpa a bible, but the Inca just threw it away as he didn’t even know what a book was.
Spaniards considered Atahualpa’s reaction as blasphemy and a serious insult, so they took him prisoner. Spaniards asked for ransom, but it was a scheme: In the end, Spaniards cowardly executed him and installed Manco Inca as a puppet emperor.
Manco Inca’s Ascent
Interestingly, before Manco Inca ascended to the “throne”, the Spaniards propped up Tupac Huallpa. Tragically, his reign was short-lived, ending soon after with a swift bout of smallpox.
They then turned their sights to Manco, a mere boy of 19 at the time, brother to the fallen Atahualpa and Huáscar.
As a loyal supporter of Huáscar, Manco felt astonished when they presented him with the emperor’s crown, a glittering escape from civil discord.
Little did he know about the hardships he was about to face. Serving as a puppet emperor, he quickly learned that power was but an illusion.
The greedy and vulgar Spaniards threatened him like a mere piece on their gameboard, ignoring the dignity and authority he was supposed to have as Emperor.
Though he donned the ceremonial mantle, he wielded little real authority, relegated to performing traditional rites.
Behind closed doors, the Spanish subjected Manco to harrowing torture, desperate for the secrets of gold and silver. They had already carted away a fortune, but their greed knew no bounds.
In particular, tormentors Juan and Gonzalo Pizarro reveled in his suffering—Gonzalo even seized Manco’s noble Inca wife, adding salt to the wounds.
In a fit of desperation, Manco Inca tried to escape in October 1535, but soldiers trapped him again and threw him into chains.
The rebellion starts
Manco Inca tried to escape again in April 1836, but this time, he had a plan: He told the Spanish he had an important ceremony on Yucay, in the heart of the Sacred Valley, and he would return an important golden statue.
Manco Inca finally escaped and called people to rebel, summoning his army. He could lead a 100,000-man army in a siege of Cusco. Just a few Spanish soldiers and their indigenous allies defended the city
Spaniards and allies faced thousands of Inca warriors surrounding them. The Incas used clever strategies for several months to gain the upper hand.
For example, the rebels launched burning stones, hot coals, and flaming arrows at the city’s roofs. This caused many fires and pushed the Spaniards to retreat to safer areas.
The rebel Incas also carried out constant attacks and night raids. This kept the defenders anxious and highlighted the seriousness of their situation.
Spaniards’ Withdrawal and Internal Conflict
The Spanish managed to hold their ground by capturing and occupying the nearby fortress of Sachsayhaman.
This led to a stalemate until a group of Spanish conquistadors, led by Diego de Almagro, successfully dispersed Manco Inca’s forces.
The rebel inca and his officers retreated to the town of Vitcos, located in the remote Vilcabamba Valley. There, they bravely defended themselves against an expedition led by Rodrigo Orgoñez.
At the same time, a civil war erupted in Peru between the supporters of Francisco Pizarro and those of Diego de Almagro.
Manco Inca took this opportunity to patiently wait in Vitcos as his enemies engaged in conflict with one another.
The civil wars ultimately led to the downfall of both Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro, which must have brought a sense of relief to Manco as he witnessed the end of his old rivals.
Manco Inca’s Second Rebellion
In 1537, Manco Inca felt it was time to take action. After leading a large army and facing defeat before, he decided to try a different approach. Manco urged local leaders to target any isolated Spanish groups or expeditions they encountered.
This strategy saw some success, leading to the loss of a few Spanish lives and making travel in Peru quite risky.
In response, the Spanish organized a new expedition to find Manco and began traveling in larger groups for safety.
Despite their efforts, the native forces failed to drive the Spanish from the region, so they could not achieve a major military victory.
This upset the Spanish, especially Francisco Pizarro. In 1539, he chose to execute Manco’s captured wife, Cura Ocllo.
By 1541, Manco found himself seeking refuge once more in the Vilcabamba Valley. One of the most touching moments during this time was the brave act of Titu Cusi Huallpa, known as Cahuide.
Instead of surrendering to the Spaniards after they entered Sacsayhuaman, he made a heroic leap from a tower. His sacrifice became a powerful symbol of Andean resistance and unwavering spirit.
Death and Legacy
In 1541, Diego de Almagro’s son sadly killed Francisco Pizarro in Lima. For a brief time, Almagro the Younger took charge in Peru, but he was soon defeated and executed.
Seven of Almagro’s supporters, worried about being punished for treason, sought safety in Vilcabamba. Manco Inca kindly welcomed them and had them train his soldiers in horsemanship and using Spanish armor and weapons.
Unfortunately, these men betrayed Manco Inca and took his life in mid-1544. These betrayers hoped for forgiveness for their past actions, but Manco’s soldiers quickly found them and brought them to justice.
The rebellion of this Inca was a significant moment for the native people in their fight against the Spanish. If Manco Inca had successfully captured Cuzco, he might have limited the Spanish to the coastal areas and encouraged peaceful negotiations.
Sadly, after his death, this training stopped, and future leaders like Túpac Amaru did not carry on Manco Inca’s vision for resistance.
Manco was a devoted leader who truly cared for his people. At first, he compromises his values for power, but quickly recognizes his mistake.
Conclusion
Manco Inca set a model for natives and Peruvians to fight for liberty against oppression. Almost 300 years later, in 1821, Peru finally could scream for liberty, in part thanks to Manco Inca’s figure.
He was the pioneer who inspired generations to fight for their rights. To learn more about Peruvian history, traditions, culture, and beautiful spots, stay tuned to our blog.
Keep in mind that Viagens Machu Picchu can take you to Peru’s most incredible destinations! Feel free to contact our specialists so they can give you details about our packages, tours, and special deals! Don’t hold it too long; Peru and its vast history are waiting for you!
Viagens Machu Picchu: Journeys that inspire, moments that last.