Battle of Sangarará facts for kids

The Battle of Sangarará was a very important fight that happened on November 18, 1780. It took place in a town called Sangarará, in what is now Peru. This battle was between a group of rebels led by Túpac Amaru II and the Spanish army, commanded by Tiburcio Landa. Túpac Amaru II's rebels won a big victory.

Why the Battle Happened

The Battle of Sangarará was one of the first major fights in the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru. This rebellion was a big uprising against Spanish rule. The battle happened just nine days after the Spanish executed Antonio de Arriaga. He was a Spanish official, called a corregidor, in the area of Tinta.

After the rebels took control of another town called Quiquijana, Spanish leaders met in Cuzco. They decided to form a war council. About 800 Spanish soldiers and volunteers gathered. They were led by Tiburcio Landa. On the night of November 17, they arrived in Sangarará. The Spanish soldiers decided to stay inside the town's church. They may have done this because they expected a snowstorm.

The Battle of Sangarará

On the morning of November 18, the rebel forces surrounded the church. They took positions on the hills nearby. Some historical stories say that Túpac Amaru II asked for women, children, and people of mixed Spanish and native background to leave the church before the attack.

The rebels started attacking the Spanish soldiers with slingshots. Soon, the church caught fire. It's not clear if the rebels set it on fire or if Spanish gunpowder accidentally exploded. As the church burned, the Spanish soldiers had to run outside. They were then defeated by the rebels. The rebels mostly had spears and slings. The Spanish had cannons, but they couldn't use them well inside the church.

The battle was very intense. Many Spanish soldiers were killed, possibly between 300 and 600. The rebels had far fewer losses. Only about 15 rebels were killed, and 30 were wounded.

What Happened After

Túpac Amaru II's big win at Sangarará made more native people want to join his rebellion. The rebels also gained Spanish weapons, which was a big help. This victory also made the Spanish in the area very afraid.

However, Spanish officials used the destruction of the church to turn people against the rebels. The Bishop of Cuzco even removed Túpac Amaru II from the church. This made it harder for the rebels to get support from people of mixed backgrounds.

After the battle, Túpac Amaru II's forces focused on controlling the areas outside of Cuzco. His wife and fellow commander, Micaela Bastidas, wanted him to attack Cuzco directly. But he decided to strengthen their hold on other areas instead.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Sangarará para niños