Pachacutec Yupanqui, whose name is still talked about as a sign of change and power, was more than just a ruler. He was a thinker, a war leader, and a great manager who started the huge Inca Empire, called Tahuantinsuyo.
Learn more about this important person for Inca culture, by exploring where he came from, his famous actions, his new ideas, and the lasting things he left behind in the history of the Peruvian Andes.
Who Was the Inca Pachacutec?
Born into the Inca nobles in Cusco, Cusi Yupanqui, who would become Inca Pachacutec, grew up with political tricks and hard times. Even when he was young, he was very smart and strong-willed, which made him different from others.
The most important time in his life came when the Chancas, a warrior group, were a threat to Cusco. When his father, Inca Wiracocha, and his brother, Inca Urco, ran away, Cusi Yupanqui took charge of defending the city. He was brave and clever, and he got the Inca warriors to fight hard. Winning against the Chancas saved Cusco and made Cusi Yupanqui the leader.
After his win, he became the new Inca and took the name Pachacutec, which means “he who changes the land”. This new name showed he wanted to make the Inca Empire great.
The Death of Pachacútec
The death of the Inca Pachacútec in 1471 meant the end of a time in the history of the Inca Empire. When he died, the power went to his son, Túpac Yupanqui. He kept making the empire bigger and also made the government and culture stronger, just like his father did.
More than just the lands he took over, Pachacútec’s legacy lives on in the amazing buildings, like Machu Picchu, and in the way the Inca people were organized, which made their civilization great.
The Growth of the Inca Empire
Pachacutec didn’t just want to keep Cusco safe. He wanted to make the Inca lands bigger. He used both strong fighting skills and smart talking to take over many lands, adding different groups and areas to the Inca Empire.
His army trips helped him beat the Collas in the south, make sure he controlled the north coast, and spread Inca power to what is now Ecuador. Each takeover was planned well, using both fighting and talking to bring in the people he conquered.
Pachacutec wasn’t just good at war. He was also a leader who knew how to make his new lands strong. He set up army bases, built government centers, and helped the new lands become part of the Inca system.
Changes That Transformed the Empire
More than just his military wins, Pachacútec was a smart leader who changed how the Inca Empire was built. His changes touched every part of Inca life, from how things were run and the money system to their religion and culture. Here are some of his changes:
- Making Cusco New: Pachacútec fixed up the city of Cusco, making it the main center of the empire. He split the city into areas, built temples and big houses, and made a system of squares and streets that showed the power and greatness of the Inca lands.
- The Four Regions System: He divided the empire into four regions: Chinchaysuyo, Collasuyo, Antisuyo and Contisuyo. This made it easier to control and manage the big Inca lands.
- The Inca Road System (Qhapaq Ñan): He ordered the building of a long network of roads, the Qhapaq Ñan, that connected all parts of the empire. This road system helped move goods and people and also allowed the Inca armies to move fast.
- Storing and Sharing System: He set up a good system for storing and sharing food and goods, making sure everyone in the empire had what they needed.
- Making Quechua and Sun Worship Important: He made Quechua the official language and worship of the sun god Inti the main religion, helping to bring the empire together in culture and belief.
The Builder of Machu Picchu
Tests have shown that the amazing city of Machu Picchu was built around the year 1450, when the famous Inca Pachacútec ruled. He was a great leader who changed the Inca Empire a lot.
Building this huge place took a lot of workers. Thousands of men from the towns that had just joined the empire were moved by Pachacútec from far away lands to do this big project.
Machu Picchu was built for different reasons. It was a place for the Inca and his important people to live sometimes. It was like a special hideaway for them. Also, people think that because of where it is, it was a good spot to watch over the lands to the east, where the jungle parts of the empire were.
Other Works by Pachacutec:
- He fixed the Coricancha temple in the city of Cusco.
- He made the city of Cusco nicer, with squares, neighborhoods, and palaces.
- He rebuilt the Coricancha fortress.
- He built the Ollantaytambo town in the Sacred Valley.
- He built many miles of the ‘Qhapac ñan’ road system.
- He started the Wawa Inti Raymi festival.
- He made people work for the Inca state.
- He made the sun the main god of the empire.