Pachacuti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pachacuti |
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Pachacuti, 17th century painting, anonymous.
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| Sapa Inca of the Inca Empire | |||||
| Reign | 1438-1471 | ||||
| Predecessor | Viracocha | ||||
| Successor | Túpac Inca Yupanqui | ||||
| Born | before 1438 Cusicancha Palace, Cusco, Inca Empire, modern-day Peru |
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| Died | 1471 Patallacta Palace, Cusco, Inca Empire, modern-day Peru |
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| Consort | Mama Anawarkhi or Quya Anawarkhi | ||||
| Issue | Tupac Yupanqui, Amaru Yupanqui | ||||
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| Quechua | Pachakutiq Inka Yupanki | ||||
| Dynasty | Hanan Qusqu | ||||
| Father | Viracocha Inca | ||||
| Mother | Mama Runtu | ||||
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui (Quechua: Pachakutiq Inka Yupanki) was a powerful leader of the Inca Empire. He was the ninth Sapa Inca, which means "great Inca" or "emperor". He ruled from about 1438 to 1471.
Pachacuti took a small kingdom around Cusco and turned it into a huge empire. This empire was called the Inca Empire (or Quechua: Tawantinsuyu). Many experts believe that the famous Inca city of Machu Picchu was built as a special estate for him.
In the Quechua language, Pachakutiq means "reformer of the world". Yupanki means "with honor". During his time, Cusco grew from a small town into a powerful empire. It became strong enough to compete with other large groups like the Chimú. He started a period of conquests that helped the Inca lands spread across much of western South America. Pachacuti is also linked to the worship of Inti, the Sun god.
Contents
Becoming a Leader
Pachacuti was born in Cusco, in a palace near the Coricancha temple. His teacher, Micuymana, taught him history, laws, and languages. He also learned how to use quipus, which were knotted strings used for keeping records.
From a young age, Pachacuti was admired by the Inca nobles. He was brave, smart, and mature. His older brother, Inca Urco, was supposed to be the next ruler, but he lacked these qualities. Pachacuti showed great skills for leading and conquering.
Defending Cusco
Pachacuti's father, Viracocha Inca, had chosen Urco as his successor. However, a fierce group called the Chankas attacked Cusco. Pachacuti's father and brother fled, but Pachacuti stayed. He bravely led the Inca army to defend their homeland.
Pachacuti's army won a great victory over the Chankas. This win made his father realize Pachacuti's strength. Around 1438, Viracocha Inca named Pachacuti as his true successor.
Expanding the Empire
As a leader and warrior, Pachacuti conquered many different groups and states. One of his most important conquests was the Collao region. This victory made Pachacuti even more famous and respected.
People saw him as an amazing leader because of how much he expanded the Inca lands. Many local chiefs, called kurakas, recognized his skills. They even called him the "Son of the Sun." He conquered areas like Colla-Suyu and Chinchay-Suyu. With his sons, Tupac Ayar Manco and Apu Paucar Usnu, he defeated the Colla-Suyuns. He also left soldiers in the lands he conquered to keep them safe.
Family Life
Pachacuti was the son of Inca Viracocha and Mama Runtu. He was the fourth ruler of the Hanan dynasty. His wife was named Mama Anahuarqui, or Quya Anawarkhi. She came from a place called Ayllu Chocco.
Pachacuti had three sons: Tupac Ayar Manco, Apu Paucar, and Tupac Inca Yupanqui. His oldest son, Amaru, was first chosen to be the next ruler. However, Pachacuti later chose Tupac Inca because Amaru was not a warrior.
Rebuilding Cusco
After becoming emperor, Pachacuti rebuilt much of Cusco. He designed it to be a grand imperial city. The city was set up to reflect the empire itself. Each major region of the empire, called a suyu, had its own part of the city. Nobles and new people lived in the area that matched where they came from.
Many famous buildings in Cusco were rebuilt during Pachacuti's rule. This includes the great sun temple, Qurikancha.
Important Achievements
Pachacuti was a very skilled leader in both politics and war. He is also known for moving many people to different parts of his empire. These people were called mitimaes. They were resettled to help colonize new areas and keep the empire strong.
He sent his son, Tupac Inca Yupanqui, with an army to continue his conquests and expand the empire further north. Pachacuti also oversaw the building of important structures. He created irrigation channels to bring water to farms, built terraced fields for growing crops, and made roads and places for travelers to rest. The famous Inca Road stretched from Quito in the north all the way to Chile in the south.
Pachacuti was also a poet. He wrote sacred hymns for a city purification ceremony called the Situa. One song, said to be by Pachacuti on his deathbed, compares his life to a lily: "I was born as a lily in the garden, and like the lily I grew, as my age advanced / I became old and had to die, and so I withered and died."
See also
In Spanish: Pachacútec para niños
