Battle of Cajamarca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capture of Atahualpa |
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| Part of the Spanish conquest of Peru | |||||||
 Painting by Juan Lepiani depicting the capture of Atahualpa in Cajamarca. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spanish Empire |
Incas faithful to Atahualpa | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Francisco Pizarro Hernando Pizarro Hernando de Soto |
Atahualpa (POW) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 106 infantry 62 cavalry four cannons 12 harquebuses |
3,000–8,000 guards | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 slave dead; one wounded |
2,000 dead 7,000 taken prisoner |
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The Battle of Cajamarca was a key event in the Spanish conquest of Peru. It happened on November 16, 1532. A small Spanish force, led by Francisco Pizarro, surprised and captured the Inca ruler Atahualpa.
During this event, the Spanish killed many of Atahualpa's advisors and guards. This took place in the main plaza of Cajamarca, a city in Peru. The capture of Atahualpa was the start of the Spanish takeover of the pre-Columbian Inca civilization.
Contents
How the Battle of Cajamarca Began
The event at Cajamarca was the result of many months of talks and spying. These discussions happened between Pizarro and the Inca ruler Atahualpa. Atahualpa felt very strong when the Spanish arrived. He had about 80,000 experienced soldiers with him. These soldiers had just won a civil war against his half-brother Huáscar.
The Inca ruler believed Pizarro's small army was not a threat. Atahualpa invited the Spanish deep into his mountain empire. He thought he could easily control them there. Pizarro and his men arrived on November 15, 1532. The town of Cajamarca was mostly empty. Atahualpa was camped outside the town. He was getting ready to march on Cuzco, the Inca capital.
The Spanish faced a difficult choice. Attacking the large Inca army seemed impossible. Retreating was also not an option. Showing weakness might make the Inca attack them. Pizarro knew they had to act boldly. He decided to try and capture the Inca emperor.
Planning the Capture
On the evening of November 15, Pizarro told his officers his plan. He wanted to capture Atahualpa right in the middle of his own armies. This was a very daring idea. Since they couldn't do this in an open battle, Pizarro invited the Inca to Cajamarca.
The next afternoon, Atahualpa began his procession. He had a large number of his forces with him. But then, Atahualpa announced that most of his army would camp outside the city walls. He said only he and his close group would enter. They would not carry weapons, as a sign of trust.
Atahualpa's group still had over seven thousand people. They were unarmed, except for small ceremonial axes. Atahualpa's attendants wore fancy clothes. Many had gold or silver on their heads. A group of singers went ahead of Atahualpa, sweeping the road. The Inca ruler himself was carried in a special chair. Eighty high-ranking Inca courtiers carried it. Atahualpa wanted to impress the Spanish with his power and wealth. He did not expect an attack.
The Spanish soldiers were hidden inside the buildings around the main plaza. Foot soldiers and horsemen were in the narrow streets leading to the square. Spanish soldiers guarded the entrances to a stone building. Men with arquebuses (early guns) and four small cannons were inside. Pizarro told his men to stay silent and hidden. They would wait until the cannons fired. The Spanish were greatly outnumbered, and tension grew as they waited.
The Confrontation
When Atahualpa's group entered the square, they stopped in the center. An Inca official with a banner went towards the building where the cannons were hidden. Atahualpa was surprised not to see any Spanish soldiers. He called out to ask where they were.
After a short wait, Friar Vincente de Valverde came out. He was with an interpreter. The friar carried a cross and a prayer book. He walked through the rows of Atahualpa's attendants. Valverde told Atahualpa he was a messenger from God and the Spanish king. He demanded that Atahualpa accept Catholicism and recognize Charles V as his ruler.
Atahualpa was confused and insulted by these words. He had no intention of agreeing to the Spanish demands. He tried to ask about their faith and king. But the translation was poor, and the tension increased. Spanish records differ on exactly what happened next. But they all agree that the fighting started suddenly after the talks broke down.
The Battle and Atahualpa's Capture
When the signal to attack was given, the Spanish fired their guns. They rushed forward into the crowd of Incans. The effect was terrible. The Inca people were shocked and unarmed. They could not fight back much. The Spanish used a cavalry charge (horses rushing forward). They also used gunfire from their hidden positions. The Inca had never seen firearms before. The bells on the horses also helped to scare the Inca.
The Spanish aimed first for Atahualpa and his main leaders. Pizarro rode his horse directly at Atahualpa. But the Inca ruler did not move. Atahualpa stayed in his special chair. Many of his attendants rushed to protect him. While Spanish soldiers were fighting Atahualpa's guards, Pizarro reached the chair. A Spanish soldier pulled Atahualpa from his chair. Another soldier tried to kill Atahualpa. Pizarro stopped him, knowing Atahualpa was valuable as a hostage. Pizarro even got a sword wound on his hand while doing so.
The main Inca army was outside Cajamarca. They still had their weapons. But they scattered in confusion. The survivors from Atahualpa's group fled from the square. They even broke down a fifteen-foot section of wall to escape. Atahualpa's soldiers were experienced warriors. They outnumbered the Spanish by a lot, about 45 to 1. But the shock of the Spanish attack was too great. Losing their leader, the Sapa Inca, and most of his commanders at once, destroyed their morale. The army panicked and ran away. There is no sign that the main Inca force tried to fight the Spanish after the surprise attack.
Aftermath of the Capture
After his capture, Atahualpa was held prisoner. The Spanish later put him to death. This event was a major turning point. It allowed the Spanish to continue their conquest of the Inca Empire.
See also
In Spanish: Captura de Atahualpa para niños
