--- title: Inca Government author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Government/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Inca Government _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The centre of [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) power was the capital [Cuzco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cuzco/), considered the navel of the world. 40,000 [Incas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) governed an [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) of over 10 million subjects who spoke over 30 different languages. Consequently, the centralised government employed a vast network of local administrators who relied heavily on a combination of personal relations, state largesse, ritual exchange, [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) enforcement and military might. The system certainly worked and the [Inca civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) flourished in ancient Peru between c. 1400 and 1534 CE. The Inca empire eventually extended across western South America from Quito in the north to Santiago in the south, making it the largest empire ever seen in the Americas. ### Historical Overview – The Empire Cuzco became a significant centre sometime at the beginning of the Late Intermediate Period (1000-1400 CE). A process of regional unification began from the late 14th century CE, and from the early 15th century CE, with the arrival of the first great Inca leader [Pachacuti](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pachacuti_Inca_Yupanqui/) ('Reverser of the World'), the Incas began to expand in search of plunder and production resources, first to the south and then in all directions, and so they built an empire which stretched across the Andes. The rise of the Inca Empire was spectacularly quick. First, all speakers of the Inca language Quechua (or Runasimi) were given privileged status, and this noble class then dominated all the important roles within the empire. Eventually a nationwide system of tax and administration was instigated which consolidated the power of Cuzco. The Incas themselves called their empire Tawantinsuyo (or Tahuantinsuyu) meaning 'Land of the Four Quarters'. The Incas imposed their religion, administration, and even art on conquered peoples, they extracted tribute, and even moved loyal populations (*mitmaqs*) to better integrate new territories into the empire. However, the Incas also brought certain benefits such as food redistribution in times of environmental disaster, better storage facilities for foodstuffs, work via state-sponsored projects, state-sponsored religious feasts, roads, military assistance and luxury goods, especially art objects enjoyed by the local elite. ### The Inca King The Incas kept lists of their hereditary kings (Sapa Inca, meaning Unique Inca) so that we know of such names as [Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pachacuti_Inca_Yupanqui/) (reign c. 1438-63 CE), Thupa Inca Yupanqui (reign c. 1471-93 CE), and Wayna Qhapaq (the last pre-Hispanic ruler, reign c. 1493-1525 CE). It is possible that two kings ruled at the same time and that queens may have had some significant powers, but the Spanish records are not clear on both points. The king was expected to marry on his accession, his bride sometimes being his own sister. The queen (*Qoya*) was known as *Mamancik* or 'Our Mother' and could wield some influence both on her husband and via her kin group, particularly in selecting which son might become the official heir to the throne. The *Qoya* also had significant wealth of her own which she could dispose of as she wished. The *Sapa Inca* was an absolute ruler whose word was law. He controlled politics, society, the empire's food stores, and he was commander-in-chief of the army. Revered as a [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) he was also known as *Intip Churin* or 'Son of the Sun'. Given this elevated status he lived a life of great opulence. Drinking from [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) and [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) cups, wearing silver shoes, and living in a [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) furnished with the finest textiles, he was pampered to the extreme. He was even looked after following his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) as the Inca mummified their rulers and later 'consulted' them for their opinion on pressing state affairs. Despite his enviable status, though, the king had to negotiate the consent and support of his nobles who could, and did, sometimes depose or even assassinate their ruler. In addition to keeping favour with his nobles the king also had to perform his role as a magnanimous benefactor to his people, hence his other title *Huaccha Khoyaq* or 'Lover and Benefactor of the Poor'. [ ![Map of the inca Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/2612.jpg?v=1749776765) Map of the inca Empire Wikipedia User: Zenyu (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2612/map-of-the-inca-empire/ "Map of the inca Empire")### The Inca Nobles Inca rule was, much like their famous [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/), based on compartmentalised and interlocking units. At the top was the king, his high priest (*Willaq Umu*) – who could also act as a field marshal - and ten royal kindred groups of nobles called *panaqa*. These nobles could form and instigate policy in councils with the king and, even more importantly, influence the final choice of the king's successor which was rarely simply the eldest son. Indeed, many royal accessions were preceded by intrigue, political maneuvering, coups, and even assassinations to promote a particular kin group's candidate. This may well be why later Inca kings married their own sister so as to avoid widening the elite power base at the very top of the government structure. Next in line to the *panaqa* came ten more kindred groups more distantly related to the king and divided into two halves: Upper and Lower Cuzco. Then came a third group of nobles not of Inca blood but made Incas as a privilege. This latter group was drawn from that section of the population which had inhabited the region when the Incas had first arrived. As all of these groups were composed of different family lines, there was a great deal of rivalry between them which sometimes broke out into open [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). ### The Inca Administrators At the bottom of the state apparatus were locally recruited administrators who oversaw settlements and the smallest Andean population unit the *ayllu*, which was a collection of households, typically of related families who worked an area of land, lived together, and provided mutual support in times of need. Each *ayllu* was governed by a small number of nobles or *kurakas*, a role which could include [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/). Local administrators collaborated with and reported to over 80 regional-level administrators (a *tokrikoq*) who were responsible for such matters as justice, censuses, land redistribution, organizing mobile labour forces, and maintaining the vast network of roads and bridges in their jurisdiction. The regional administrators, who were almost always ethnic Incas, reported to a governor responsible for each quarter of the empire. The four governors reported to the supreme Inca ruler in Cuzco. To ensure loyalty, the heirs of local rulers were also kept as well-kept prisoners at the Inca capital. The most important political, religious, and military roles within the empire were, then, kept in the hands of the Inca elite, called by the Spanish the *orejones* or 'big ears' because they wore large earspools to indicate their status. To better ensure the control of this elite over their subjects, garrisons dotted the empire and entirely new administrative centres were built, notably at Tambo Colorado, Huanuco Pampa and Hatun Xauxa. [ ![Inca Qollqa](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/3569.jpg?v=1724126585) Inca Qollqa Stevage (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3569/inca-qollqa/ "Inca Qollqa")### Taxation & Tribute For tax purposes annual censuses were regularly taken to keep track of births, deaths, marriages, and a worker's status and abilities. For administrative purposes populations were divided up into groups based on multiples of ten (Inca mathematics was almost identical to the system we use today), even if this method did not always fit the local reality. These censuses and the officials themselves were examined every few years, along with provincial affairs in general, by dedicated and independent inspectors, known as a *tokoyrikoq* or 'he who sees all'. As there was no currency in the Inca world taxes were paid in kind - usually foodstuffs (especially maize, potatoes, and dried meat), precious metals, wool, cotton, textiles, exotic feathers, dyes, and spondylus shell - but also in labourers who could be shifted about the empire to be used where they were most needed. This labour service was known as *mit'a*. Agricultural land and herds were divided into three parts: production for the state religion and the gods, for the Inca ruler, and for the farmers' own use. Local communities were also expected to help build and maintain such imperial projects as the road system which stretched across the empire. To keep track of all these statistics the Inca used the *[quipu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Quipu/)*, a sophisticated assembly of knots and strings which was also highly transportable and could record decimals up to 10,000. Goods were transported across the empire along purpose-built roads using llamas and porters (there were no wheeled vehicles). The Inca road network covered over 40,000 km and as well as allowing for the easy movement of armies, administrators, and [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) goods it was also a very powerful visual symbol of Inca authority over their empire. ### Collapse The Inca Empire was founded on, and maintained, by force and so the ruling Incas were very often unpopular with their subjects (especially in the northern territories), a situation that the Spanish conquistadores, led by [Francisco Pizarro](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francisco_Pizarro/), would take full advantage of in the middle decades of the 16th century CE. Rebellions were rife, and the Incas were actively engaged in a [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) in Ecuador, where a second Inca capital had been established at Quito, just at the time when the empire faced its greatest ever threat. Also hit by devastating diseases brought by the Europeans and which had actually spread from Central America faster than their Old World carriers, this combination of factors would bring about the collapse of the mighty Inca [civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/civilization/) before it had even had chance to fully mature. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Alden Mason, J. *The Ancient Civilizations of Peru.* Penguin, 1964.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B001J1TTOW/) - [Baudin, L. *Daily Life of the Incas.* Dover Publications, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0486428001/) - [D'Altroy, T.N. *The Incas.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1444331159/) - [Jones, D.M. *Mythology of the Incas.* Southwater, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1844763382/) - [Jones, D.M. *The Complete Illustrated History of the Inca Empire.* Lorenz Books, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/075482358X/) - [Kubler, G. *The Art and Architecture of Ancient America, Third Edition.* Yale University Press, 1984.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300053258/) - [Mann, C.C. *1491.* Vintage Books, 2006.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1400032059/) - [Moseley, M.E. *The Incas and Their Ancestors.* Thames & Hudson, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500282773/) - [Stone, R.R. *Art of the Andesín to Inca.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500204152/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **c. 1425 CE - 1532 CE**: The [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) flourishes in South America. - **1438 CE - 1471 CE**: [Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pachacuti_Inca_Yupanqui/) reigns as the leader of the [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). - **1471 CE - 1493 CE**: Reign of [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) Tupac Yupanqui who doubles the size of the Inca [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). - **1493 CE - 1526 CE**: Huayna Capac reigns as [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) leader and constructs fortresses, religious temples and roads throughout the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). - **1526 CE - 1532 CE**: Civil [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) between the [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) leaders Waskar and [Atahualpa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Atahualpa/). Atahualpa wins. - **1530 CE**: The [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) reaches its greatest extent. - **1532 CE - 1533 CE**: Reign of [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) ruler [Atahualpa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Atahualpa/). - **15 Nov 1533 CE**: [Francisco Pizarro](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francisco_Pizarro/) takes the [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) capital of [Cuzco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cuzco/). ## Questions & Answers ### What type of government did the Incas have? The Inca government was like a monarchy with a centralised government directing thousands of officials across the empire. The government extracted taxes and tributes from the people. ### What did the Inca government control? The Inca government controlled everything. The king or Sapa Inca was an absolute ruler whose word was law. He controlled politics, society, the empire's food stores, and he was commander-in-chief of the army. ### What features helped the Inca government control their empire? The Inca government, dominated by the king or Sapa Inca, used military force to control their empire and they spread their religion, art and architecture to try and create a cultural unity. ### How did the Inca government contribute to the collapse of the Inca empire? The Inca government relied on military force and imposed their religion and culture on their subjects. This meant the Incas were not popular rulers and there were many rebellions across the empire. When the European Conquistadors arrived they exploited these divisions in the empire. ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2015, October 21). Inca Government. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca\_Government/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Government/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Inca Government." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 21, 2015. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca\_Government/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Government/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Inca Government." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Oct 2015, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca\_Government/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Government/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 21 October 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. 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