_How Tupac Inca again set out from Cuzco, and of the fierce war he waged
with those of Huarco_; _and how, after he had conquered them, he
returned to Cuzco_.
The province of Chincha was, in former days, an important part of this
kingdom of Peru, and very populous, insomuch that, before the time of
Tupac Inca, the Chinchas, with their captains, had made incursions as
far as the Collao, whence they returned to their province with great
spoils.[222] Hence they had always been respected and feared by their
neighbours. It is said that the Inca, father of Tupac Inca, had sent
from the country of the Soras a captain named Ccapac Inca, to persuade
the Chinchas to come under his dominion. Although he went and induced
some of them to agree, it was but a small part, for the rest rose up in
arms, and prepared to defend their country in such sort that the Orejon
made the best of his way back again.[223] They had not again seen a
captain of the Incas, as they themselves declare, until they were
subjugated by Tupac Inca. In this matter, I know no more than what the
people themselves relate.
Returning to the narrative, after the Inca had gone back to Cuzco, as
has been mentioned, and had devoted as many days as he pleased to
enjoying himself and to amusements, he gave orders for the assembly of
another army, to complete the conquest of the coast region. His commands
were obeyed; and soon the captains of the provinces with their
contingents of troops arrived at Cuzco. After having made arrangements
for the government of the city, he set out from Cuzco, and came down to
the coast by the road of Huatara.[224] His approach being known, many
waited with the intention of accepting him as their lord, and many
others were resolved to make war, and, if possible, to maintain their
liberties. In the valley of Nasca there were many people and
preparations for war.
Tupac Inca, when he arrived at Nasca, on the coast, received and
despatched embassies, and there were some encounters and skirmishes; but
they consented to what the Inca required of them, that they should build
strong forts, receive _mitimaes_, and pay the tribute imposed on them.
From thence the Inca went to the valley of Yca, where he met with more
resistance than at Nasca; but his prudence enabled him, without
fighting, to turn enemies into friends, and these were conciliated like
the others. In Chincha, the people were waiting for the arrival of the
Inca in their valley, with more than 30,000 armed men, and they expected
support from their neighbours. Tupac Inca, when he knew it, sent
messengers, with great presents, to the chiefs and principal captains,
instructing the ambassador to make great offers in his name, to assure
them that he did not desire war, but rather peace and brotherhood, and
other messages of that kind. The Chinchas heard what the Inca said, and
received his presents. Some of their principal men then visited him, and
treated of peace with such success, that it was concluded. The Chinchas
laid down their arms and received Tupac Inca, who presently proceeded to
Chincha. This account is given both by the Chinchas themselves, and by
the Orejones of Cuzco. Other Indians of other provinces, whom I have
heard, tell the story in a different manner, for they say that there
was a great war. But I believe that Tupac Inca became Lord of Chincha
without fighting.[225]
When the Inca arrived in that valley, he found it to be so beautiful and
so extensive, that he rejoiced greatly. He praised the customs of the
natives, and with loving words he asked them to adopt such of the
customs of Cuzco as fitted with their own. They were well content, and
obeyed him in all things. Having made all suitable arrangements, he went
back to Yca, whence he marched to the valley called Huarco,[226] because
he heard that the people were waiting for him in warlike guise. This,
indeed, was the truth, for the natives of that valley, despising their
neighbours for having submitted to a strange king without reason, and
given up possession of their lands to him, had assembled with great
resolution, and had erected strong forts or _pucaras_ within their
boundaries, near the sea shore. Here they put their women and children.
The Inca, marching with his army in battle array, came in sight of the
enemy, and sent ambassadors with menaces and threats. They, however,
would not adopt the rule of their neighbours, which was to submit to
strangers, but prepared for war. As the summer was approaching, and the
heat was great, the soldiers of the Inca fell sick, which induced him to
retire as cautiously as possible. The Huarcos came forth from their
valley, collected their harvests, and sowed their fields. They also got
their arms ready, that they might be ready to receive the people of
Cuzco, if they again came to attack them.
Tupac Inca returned to Cuzco; and as men have little constancy, when
they saw that the Huarcos remained in possession of their liberties,
there began to be changes among them, while some rebelled and threw off
the yoke of the Inca. These were natives of the valleys on the sea
coast. All this came to the knowledge of the king, and during the
remainder of that summer he was engaged in assembling troops, and
sending Orejones to visit the provinces in all parts of the empire. He
was resolved to gain the lordship of Huarco, even if it should cost very
dear. When autumn was come, and the heats of summer were passed, he
descended to the coast with the largest army that he could collect. He
sent ambassadors into the valleys, upbraiding the people for their
weakness of purpose in presuming to rise against him, urging them to be
firm in their friendship henceforward, for that if not, they would be
visited by cruel war. When he reached the borders of the valley of
Huarco, on the skirts of a mountain, he ordered a city to be founded, to
which he gave the name of Cuzco, intending it to be his principal
residence. The streets, and hills, and open square received the same
names as those of the real city. He said that until Huarco was
conquered, and the people had become his subjects, he would remain in
that place, and that a garrison should always be maintained there. When
his directions had been carried out, he advanced with his troops in the
direction of the enemy, and surrounded their position. He was so firm in
his purpose, that he never sent any one to treat with them; but carried
on the war, which was so obstinate, that, they say, it lasted for three
years. In the summers the Inca went to Cuzco, leaving a garrison in the
new Cuzco that he had built, so that there might always be troops
opposed to the enemy.
Thus it was that one side maintained their resolve to be lords, and the
other side was equally determined not to be slaves. But at last, at the
end of three years, the Huarcos became weak; and the Inca, knowing their
condition, sent new ambassadors, proposing that they should be his
friends and comrades, and saying that he had no wish but that their
children should intermarry, and that thus their alliance should be one
of perfect equality. Other things were said with intent to deceive, for
in reality Tupac Inca considered that these people deserved severe
punishment for having caused so much trouble. The Huarcos, feeling that
they could not hold out for many days longer, and that, with the
conditions offered by the Inca, it would be better to enjoy tranquillity
and repose, agreed to what the Inca proposed. Evacuating the fortress,
their principal men went to make reverence to the Inca, who, without
more ado, ordered his people to kill them all. This was done with great
cruelty. All the principal and most honoured chiefs who came were put to
death, and the sentence was also executed on those who had remained
away. They killed a great number, as their descendants relate to this
day, and the great heaps of bones testify to the truth of what they say.
We believe that what is related by the people on this subject, is what
you see written down.
This being done, the Inca ordered an important fortress to be erected,
in such manner as I have related in my First Part.[227] The valley
having been subdued, and governors established in it, with _mitimaes_,
the Inca received embassies, who came from the Yuncas, as well as from
many tribes in the mountains. He then ordered the new Cuzco which he had
built to be pulled down, and returned with his army to the city of
Cuzco, where he was received with great demonstration of joy. They
offered up sacrifices in his honour, both in the temple and where the
oracles spoke, afterwards making the people joyful with feasts,
drinking-bouts, and solemn recitations.