The Inca Empire – History, Map and Fall

The Inca Empire – Ancient Civilization in South America: The Inca Empire was located in South America, particularly in the Andean region. A civilization that started in the 15th century, the Incas left a crucial mark in the history of civilization.

The Inca Empire was known for its architecture, governance, agriculture, and traditions. The Inca Empire consisted of a small ethnic group that gradually expanded through conquests and assimilation. The first Ica ruler was Manco Capac.

This article will provide an insight into the Inca empire – an ancient Civilization in South America, and how the civilization started and ended in detail below.

What was the Inca Empire?

The Inca Empire, also known as the Incan Empire or Inka Empire, was the largest Empire in pre-Columbian America. It emerged in the early 13th century from the Peruvian highlands under the leadership of the first Sapa Inca, Manco Cápac. The empire reached its peak in the 16th century under the rule of Huayna Capac, stretching from present-day southern Colombia and Ecuador, through Peru and Bolivia, to central Chile, and northwest Argentina.

Where was the Inca Empire located?

The Inca Empire was located in the Andean region of South America. It included regions of present-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. The Inca empire was centered around the Andes Mountains, with Cusco as its capital. Thus, it could be asserted that the Inca Empire comprised a diverse geography with mountains, plateaus, and coastal regions. This made trade and agriculture easy and lucrative for the people of the Inca.

Inca Empire Map

When did the Inca Empire start?

The Inca Empire started in the 15th century, around 1438 AD. The Inca Empire expanded its territory from the mid-15th century onward. Due to the lack of relevant sources, the exact date of the start of the Inca Empire is questionable. Most information about the Inca Empire was passed down through oral traditions and Spanish colonizers in the 16th century.

Pachacuti has been linked with turning the Inca state into a strong empire and starting a period of rapid development and cultural advancement. Thus, the early to mid-15th century is generally regarded as the beginning of the Inca Empire’s rise to prominence, even though the exact founding date is still unknown.

Innovations of the Inca Empire

The Inca Civilization had ushered in some remarkable innovations:

Terrace Farming

The Inca Civilization carried out by the Inca civilization was a hallmark of Inca innovations. This involved carving hills into stepped platforms for cultivation. This prevented soil erosion and maximized arable land. This showed that the Inca civilization had mastery over over-cultivation.

Architecture and construction

Machu Pichu stands as a cornerstone that reflects Inca’s mastery over construction. Throughout the existence of the empire, the Inca people also developed effective urban planning, well-connected road networks, etc.

Administration

In the absence of a written language, the Inca developed a unique system of record-keeping known as quipu. Comprising intricately knotted strings of various colours and lengths, quipus served as a mnemonic device for recording numerical and statistical information.

Religion of the Inca Empire

Religion was an important part of Inca life. The sun god Inti was considered to be the highest deity. As the “Child of the Sun,” the Sapa Inca was also an important figure in religious rites and ceremonies.

The Incas believed that departed kings still had an impact on the living world, which led them to practice ancestor veneration. Temples, like the Coricancha in Cusco, were built with gold decorations to represent the sun’s radiance and were intended as places of worship.

Who conquered the Inca Empire?

The Inca Empire was conquered by Spanish conquerors or conquistadors. This conquest was led by Francisco Pizarro in the 16th century. Pizarro, along with his brothers Hernando and Gonzalo, embarked on a mission to capture the wealth and lands of the Inca. Upon their arrival, the Spanish conquistadors had successfully captured Atahualpa and looted and killed the villagers of the region. The ruler of Atahualpa was captured and killed. This conquest paved the way for the Spanish colonization of South America.

Fall of the Inca Empire

The fall of the Inca Empire was attributed to numerous factors. Some of them are listed below.

• Internal weakness of the empire: After the Atahualpa king was captured and killed by the Spanish forces, a power vacuum was created. The empire was divided into several factions, which eventually weakened the empire. This also made it easier for the Spanish colonizers to acquire land
• Spanish military superiority: With regard to weapons, horses, and steel, the Spanish conquistadors possessed technological advantages over the Inca. Divisions among the Inca leadership and these other factors made it difficult for the Inca to effectively resist the Spanish forces.
• Fall of Cusco: Pizarro led the Spanish army that advanced on Cusco, the Inca capital, in 1533. The Incas failed to oppose the Spanish, despite their best efforts. The conquistadors achieved a strategic and symbolic victory when the Spanish took Cusco.
• Control over Cusco: The Spanish took control of the Inca Empire’s political, religious, and economic hubs with the conquest of Cusco.
• Diseases: The indigenous population lacked immunity to diseases like smallpox, which the Spanish introduced to them. The number of indigenous people drastically decreased as a result of the demographic collapse brought on by the spread of these diseases.

How long did the Inca Empire last?

The Inca Empire lasted from the 15th century until the Spanish colonizers conquered the region in 1533. The timeline of the span of the Inca Empire is as follows:

• It has been said that Manco Capac founded the capital of Cusco around 1438.
• The Inca Empire peaked in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, led by leaders such as Pachacuti and Huayna Capac.
• The advent of Francisco Pizarro’s Spanish conquistadors brought about the rapid fall of the Inca Empire.
• The Inca Empire was essentially destroyed in 1533 with the capture of Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, in 1532 and other events like the Battle of Cajamarca and the Spanish occupation of Cusco in 1533.
• Following the Spanish conquest, European rule over the area was imposed, and Inca society was destroyed.

Conclusion – The Inca Empire – History, Map and Fall

The Inca Empire has left an ever-lasting impact on the history of civilization. Being the largest empire in America, the Inca civilization demonstrated strong administrative, political, and military power. The empire was also attributed to a number of innovations that led to the advancement of civilization. Eventually, the empire had to face tough opposition upon the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, who captured their land and resources. The Inca Empire eventually declined. Spanish colonisation resulted in both cultural deterioration and military defeat. Customs, languages, and religious beliefs brought over from Europe replaced indigenous Inca ways of living.

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FAQs on The Inca Empire – History, Map and Fall

What is the Inca Empire famous for?

The Inca Empire is famous for its remarkable architectural achievements, including the iconic Machu Picchu, sophisticated terraced agriculture on steep mountain slopes, and an extensive road network.

What religion did the Incas follow?

The Incas practised a polytheistic religion with a focus on nature, celestial bodies, and agricultural fertility. They worshipped a variety of deities, with Inti, the sun god, holding a central and revered position in their pantheon.

Who destroyed the Inca Empire?

The Inca Empire was ultimately destroyed by Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro. In 1532, Pizarro captured and executed Inca ruler Atahualpa, marking a turning point that led to internal strife, Spanish colonization, and the eventual downfall of the once-mighty empire.

When did the Inca Empire end?

The Inca Empire officially ended in 1572 when the last Inca ruler, Tupac Amaru, was captured and executed by the Spanish. This marked the conclusion of the prolonged resistance in Vilcabamba and the final chapter in the downfall of the Inca civilization.

Who was the Inca god?

The Inca pantheon included numerous deities, but the most prominent god in their religion was Inti, the sun god. Inti was considered the patron deity of the Inca rulers, and his worship played a central role in Inca religious practices, emphasizing the significance of the sun in sustaining life and fertility.