Battle of the Maule facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of the Maule
Part of the Inca Empire wars of conquest
Huamán Poma de Ayala's picture about the confrontation between the Mapuches (left) and the Incas (right)
Date Probably at some time between 1471 and 1493, or 1532. Location Unknown, probably near the Maule River, Cachapoal River or Biobío River. Result Undefined
Belligerents
Inca Empire	Mapuche Purumaucas and their Antalli, Pincu, and Cauqui allies
Commanders and leaders
Emperor Túpac Yupanqui General Sinchiruca	Unknown
Strength
20,000	18,000 - 20,000
Casualties and losses
Numerous	Numerous

The Battle of the Maule (called Mawlen Weichantun by the Mapuche and Mawlli Ch'iraqi by the Inca) was a major conflict. It happened between the powerful Inca Empire from Peru and a group of Mapuche people from Chile. This battle is traditionally thought to have taken place near the Maule River in Central Chile.

Many historians believe this battle happened during the rule of Emperor Tupac Inca Yupanqui (around 1471-1493 CE). However, some historians, like Osvaldo Silva, think it might have happened much later, possibly in 1532. This battle is important because it marked the furthest point the Inca Empire reached in its expansion south into Chile.

What Garcilaso de la Vega Said Happened

The historian Garcilaso de la Vega wrote about this battle. He said that an Inca general named Sinchiruca led a huge army. Over six years, his army grew to 50,000 soldiers. They conquered many areas in northern Chile. These areas included Copiapó, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, and the Maipo Valley near Santiago.

The Inca Advance South

After taking control of the Maipo Valley, General Sinchiruca sent 20,000 soldiers further south. They marched into the valley of the Maule River. The people living there were called the Picunche. They lived south of the Maipo Valley, all the way to the Itata River. These Picunche people did not want to join the Inca Empire.

They called on their friends and allies from south of the Maule River. These allies were the Antalli, Pincu, and Cauqui. Together, they decided to fight the Inca invaders. Because they refused to give up their freedom, the Incas called them "Purumaucas." This name comes from the Quechua words purum awqa, meaning "savage enemy." Later, the Spanish changed the name to Promaucaes.

A Battle of Words and Swords

The Inca army crossed the Maule River. As was their custom, they sent messengers to the Purumaucas. The messengers asked them to join the Inca Empire peacefully. If not, they would have to fight. The Purumaucas were determined to die rather than lose their freedom. They replied that the winners would rule the losers. They told the Incas they would soon see how the Purumaucas "obeyed."

A few days later, about 18,000 to 20,000 Purumauca warriors arrived. They set up their camp in front of the Inca army. The Incas tried to talk to them again. They offered peace and friendship. They said they did not want to take their land or property. Instead, they wanted to show them a better way to live.

The Purumaucas refused to talk. They said they came to fight, not to waste time with words. They would fight until they won or died. The Incas then promised to fight the next day.

Three Days of Fierce Fighting

The next day, both armies left their camps and fought all day long. Neither side gained a clear advantage. Both armies suffered many injuries and deaths. When night fell, they both went back to their camps.

The second and third days of the battle were just like the first. The fighting was intense, and the results were the same. By the end of the third day, both sides had lost more than half of their soldiers. Almost all the remaining soldiers were wounded.

On the fourth day, neither army left their camp. They had made their camps stronger, hoping to defend them if attacked. The fifth and sixth days passed in the same way. But on the seventh day, the Purumaucas and their allies left. They returned home, claiming victory.

Osvaldo Silva's Different Idea

Historian Osvaldo Silva has a different idea about the Battle of the Maule. He believes it wasn't part of the main Inca conquest of Chile. That conquest happened during the time of Topa Inca Yupanqui (1471–1493). Silva thinks the Battle of the Maule happened much later, possibly in 1532. By then, Inca rule was already set up in northern Chile.

Two Battles, Not One?

Silva suggests that two battles might have taken place. The first battle, he says, happened at the Cachapoal River. The Inca army was able to keep moving south after that fight. They went deep into Mapuche lands.

Then, as the Inca army returned north, they were constantly attacked. At the Maule River, a tired Inca army stopped to fight the attacking Mapuche. Silva believes the Inca army might have gone as far south as Concepción. There, later accounts mentioned Mapuche people having gold and silver. This suggests some contact between the Mapuche and the Inca.

Why the Incas Stopped Expanding

Silva concludes that the Battle of the Maule did not stop the Inca conquest. Instead, he thinks the Incas stopped expanding for other reasons. They didn't have enough reasons to put more effort into conquering a society that wasn't organized into big cities. Also, it was hard to rule the Mapuche because of their different political and social structure. Silva points out that the Inca Empire put much more effort into their difficult war with the Chimú Empire.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del Maule para niños