Paillataru facts for kids

Paillataru was an important leader of the Mapuche people. The Mapuche lived in what is now Chile. He was their "toqui," which means a war chief or leader. Paillataru led his people from 1564 to 1574. He became toqui after Illangulién died in the Battle of Angol. Some people say Paillataru was the brother or cousin of another famous Mapuche leader, Lautaro.

Paillataru's Early Leadership

When Paillataru first became leader, he often led attacks. These attacks aimed to take goods from the Spanish settlers. He always tried to avoid big, all-out battles. In 1565, Paillataru and his soldiers attacked areas near the city of Cañete.

Tricky Peace Talks

A Spanish government group in Concepción, called the Real Audiencia, tried to make peace with Paillataru. Paillataru did talk with them. But his real goal was to delay fighting, not to end it. While talking, Paillataru secretly built a strong fort. This fort, called a pukara, was near Cañete.

Spanish Attack on the Fort

When the Spanish in Concepción found out about Paillataru's fort, they lost hope for peace. They sent Captain Martin Ruiz de Gamboa with 100 Spanish soldiers. He also had 200 helpful Native American soldiers. Lorenzo Bernal del Mercado was a main military leader for this group.

Gamboa's forces attacked Paillataru's fort. After a long fight, they set the fort on fire and captured it. They defeated Paillataru's army, killing 200 of his men. Some others were captured. After this battle, a Spanish leader named Pedro Cortez sent scouts. These scouts kept the area around Cañete safe. For a long time, the Mapuche could not gather for big attacks.

Battles and Retreats

In 1568, Paillataru gathered a new army. He took control of the high ground at Catirai. The new Spanish governor, Melchor Bravo de Saravia, quickly marched against Paillataru. He had 300 Spanish soldiers and many helpful Native American fighters.

A Big Defeat for the Spanish

At Catirai, Paillataru's army defeated the Spanish. The governor barely escaped with his remaining soldiers to Angol. There, he gave up his command of the army. He made Gamboa the new general. Because of his defeat, the governor ordered Gamboa to leave the Spanish fort at Arauco. This meant many horses were left behind, and the Mapuche captured them.

More Fighting with Gamboa

Paillataru moved from Catirai to destroy a Spanish fort at Quiapo. After that, he marched toward Cañete and tried to surround the city. However, Gamboa came to meet him with all the soldiers he could gather. They fought a long and bloody battle. Paillataru was forced to retreat.

Gamboa then went into Mapuche territory. He wanted to destroy it, just as the Spanish had done before. But Paillataru returned with new soldiers. He forced Gamboa to retreat again.

Paillataru died later. After his death, another leader named Paineñamcu became the new toqui. Paineñamcu was also known as Alonzo Diaz, who was of mixed Spanish and Mapuche heritage.

Sources

• Vicente Carvallo y Goyeneche, Descripcion Histórico Geografía del Reino de Chile (Description Historical Geography of the Kingdom of Chile), University of Chile: Document Collections in complete texts: Cronicles (on line in Spanish)(History of Chile 1425-1788)Capítulo LVI, LVIII, LIX.

See also

In Spanish: Paillataru para niños