Battle of Huarina facts for kids

The Battle of Huarina was an important fight during the Spanish conquest of Peru. It happened on October 20, 1547, in a place called Huarina, which is now in Bolivia. This battle was part of a bigger conflict where different Spanish leaders fought for control over the rich lands of Peru.

What Was the Battle of Huarina?

The Battle of Huarina was a major clash between two groups of Spanish forces. One side was loyal to the King of Spain, led by a new governor named Pedro de la Gasca. The other side was led by Gonzalo Pizarro, who wanted to rule Peru himself. Pizarro was a brother of Francisco Pizarro, who had conquered the Inca Empire.

Who Was Involved?

The main people involved in this battle were Gonzalo Pizarro and his army, fighting against a part of the King's forces led by Diego Centeno.

Gonzalo Pizarro's Rebellion

After the first governor, Blasco Núñez Vela, was removed and later defeated, Gonzalo Pizarro gathered a large army. He had about 1,200 soldiers. Pizarro believed he had a right to rule Peru because of his family's role in the conquest. He wanted to take control of the entire region.

The Viceroy and His Forces

To stop Pizarro, the King of Spain sent a new leader, Pedro de la Gasca, to Peru in 1547. De la Gasca's job was to bring order back and make sure Peru was loyal to the King. One of his commanders was Diego Centeno. Centeno led a group of royal troops.

The Battle Begins

Centeno's forces met Pizarro's army at Huarina. Pizarro's army was commanded by Francisco de Carvajal. Carvajal was a very experienced and tough leader. He was sometimes called the Deamon of the Andes because of his strict methods. Even though Centeno had more soldiers, Carvajal's tactics were very effective.

Centeno's troops were badly defeated in the battle. Many of his soldiers were killed or hurt. However, Centeno managed to keep his remaining soldiers organized. He led them away from the battle in a good retreat.

What Happened Next?

After the Battle of Huarina, Diego Centeno and his remaining soldiers joined up with the main army of Pedro de la Gasca. De la Gasca was very good at convincing many of Gonzalo Pizarro's officers and soldiers to switch sides. This weakened Pizarro's army greatly.

Finally, on April 9, 1548, Gonzalo Pizarro and his followers were completely defeated. This happened in another important battle called the battle of Jaquijahuana. This victory brought an end to Pizarro's rebellion and secured Spanish rule under the King.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Huarina para niños