Topa Inca Yupanqui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Topa Inca Yupanqui |
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Drawing by Guaman Poma in 1615
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| Sapa Inca of the Inca Empire | |||||
| Reign | 1471–1493 | ||||
| Predecessor | Pachacuti | ||||
| Successor | Huayna Capac | ||||
| Born | c. 1441 Cusco, Peru |
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| Died | c. 1493 (aged 51–52) Chincheros, Peru |
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| Consort | Mama Ocllo | ||||
| Issue | Huayna Capac | ||||
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| Quechua | Tupaq Inka Yupanki | ||||
| Spanish | Túpac Inca Yupanqui | ||||
| Dynasty | Hanan Qusqu | ||||
| Father | Pachacuti | ||||
| Mother | Mama Anahuarque | ||||
Topa Inca Yupanqui (born around 1441, died around 1493) was a powerful ruler of the Inca Empire. He was the tenth Sapa Inca, which means "sole ruler" or "emperor," and he led the Inca people from 1471 to 1493. His name, Tupaq Inka Yupanki, means "noble Inca accountant" in the Quechua language.
Topa Inca was the son of Pachacuti, a very famous Inca emperor. He later became the father of Huayna Capac, who also ruled the Inca Empire. Topa Inca belonged to a special group of Inca nobles called the Qhapaq panaca. His wife was his older sister, Mama Ocllo.
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Topa Inca's Reign and Conquests
Topa Inca Yupanqui was a great military leader. His father, Pachacuti, chose him to lead the Inca army in 1483. Topa Inca helped the empire grow much larger. He expanded the Inca lands along the Andes mountains, reaching into what is now Ecuador. He especially liked the city of Quito and had architects from Cusco rebuild it.
While Topa Inca was leading the army, his father Pachacuti organized the Inca kingdom into four main parts called the Tahuantinsuyu. This means "the four provinces." Topa Inca led many successful military campaigns. He helped the Inca Empire spread across a large part of South America.
Becoming Emperor and Further Expansion
Topa Inca became the Sapa Inca in 1471 after his father died. He ruled until his own death in 1493. One of his biggest achievements was conquering the Chimor Kingdom. This kingdom was located on the northern coast of what is now Peru. It was the biggest rival to the Incas at that time.
He also conquered the area known as Antisuyu and brought the Collas under Inca rule. Topa Inca set up new rules and taxes for the conquered lands. He created two main governors, called Suyuyoc Apu, to manage these areas. One was in Jauja and the other in Tiwanaku.
Topa Inca Yupanqui also ordered the building of the huge fortress Saksaywaman. This impressive structure was built on a high plateau above Cusco. It included large storage buildings for food and clothing.
The End of His Rule
Topa Inca died around 1493 in Chincheros. He had many children, including two sons who were considered his main heirs. One of his wives, Chuqui Ocllo, wanted her son Ccapac Huari to become the next emperor. However, Topa Inca changed his mind and chose his son Titu Cusi Hualpa instead. Titu Cusi Hualpa later became the emperor Huayna Capac.
This decision made Chuqui Ocllo very angry. It is believed that she then poisoned Topa Inca. Both Chuqui Ocllo and her son were killed soon after Topa Inca's death.
The Pacific Ocean Journey
Topa Inca Yupanqui is also famous for a possible journey he made across the Pacific Ocean. Around 1480, he reportedly led an exploration trip that lasted about 10 months. During this trip, he is said to have visited islands he called Nina Chumpi ("fire belt") and Hawa Chumpi ("outer belt").
The Legend of the Voyage
This amazing journey is mentioned in a book called History of the Incas. It was written by Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa in 1572. Pedro Sarmiento described the expedition like this:
- …some merchants arrived at Tumbez. They had come by sea from the west, sailing in rafts with sails. They told stories of the land they came from. It had islands called Avachumbi and Ninachumbi, where there were many people and much gold. Tupac Inca was a man with big ideas. He was not happy with only the lands he had already conquered. So he decided to try his luck at sea.…
- The Inca, being sure of this, decided to go there. He had a huge number of rafts built. He put more than 20,000 chosen men on them.…
- Tupac Inca sailed until he found the islands of Avachumbi and Ninachumbi. He returned, bringing back slaves, gold, a brass chair, and a horse's skin and jaw bone. These items were kept in the fortress of Cuzco until the Spanish arrived. This trip by Tupac Inca lasted nine months. Others say it was a year. Because he was away for so long, everyone thought he had died.
See also
In Spanish: Túpac Yupanqui para niños
