How Tupac Inca Yupanqui set out from Cuzco, and how he conquered all the country from thence to Quito, and touching his great deeds.

I COULD well give a longer account of this conquest of Quito by Tupac Inca Yupanqui, but I have so much to write touching other events that I cannot spare the space, nor can I relate what he did, except summarily. On the departure of the king from the city of Cuzco, it was not known in what direction he was going to make war, because he did not make known his intention, except to his councillors. More than 200,000 men assembled, with so much baggage and stores that the plain was covered with them. He sent orders, by the posts, to the governors of provinces that all should bring provisions, munitions, and arms to the royal road of Chincha-suyu. This road was made without deviating from the line traced by order of his father, nor so near it as that both could be joined into one. It was grand and very handsomely constructed, with the order and industry touching which I have already written, and in all parts there were preparations for the great multitude that was to pass along it, without anything being wanting. None of the king’s soldiers were allowed to pick so much as a cob of maize, and, if any man did, it did not cost him less than his life. The natives carried the loads, and performed the other personal services, but it may be held for certain that they did not go beyond the appointed places; and as they worked willingly, and faith and justice were observed towards them, they did not feel the work.

A garrison, with mitimaes, and a governor selected from among the most faithful of his friends, were left in Cuzco. The Inca then set out, taking, as his captain-general and chief councillor, his uncle, Ccapac Yupanqui, not he who made the war against those of Xauxa, for that chief had been put to death owing to some offence he had given. The Inca advanced to Vilcas, where he stopped for some days, enjoying the sight of the temple and other edifices that had been built. He ordered that there should always be silversmiths making vases and other ornaments for the temple and palace of Vilcas.

The Inca arrived at Xauxa, where the Huancas prepared a solemn reception. Thence he sent messengers in all directions, announcing to the people that he desired to win their friendship, without giving them offence or making war. He said that they must have heard how the Incas of Cuzco exercised no tyranny and imposed no exactions on those who were their allies and vassals, and that, in exchange for the service and homage they gave, they received much good from their sovereign. In Bonbon they knew the great power with which the Inca came, and, as they expected great things from his clemency, they came to do him homage. Those of Yauyo did the same, as well as those of Apurima and many others. He received them all very well, giving women to some, to others coca, and to others mantles and shirts. He himself wore the dress of the people among whom he was, which was the way in which they received most satisfaction.

In the provinces which lie between Xauxa and Caxamalca, they relate that there were some wars, and he ordered forts and strongholds to be made for defence against the natives. But, generally, he subdued them by his policy, and without shedding much blood, as well the intermediate tribes, as those of Caxamalca. In all parts he left governors and delegates, and established posts to keep open his communications. He did not leave any great province without ordering houses and a Temple of the Sun to be built, and establishing mitimaes. They also relate that he entered Huanuco, and ordered that fine palace to be built, which we behold to this day.[215] Being among those of Chachapoyas, he waged such war that they were defeated at all points. In Caxamalca the Inca left people of Cuzco, that they might instruct the natives touching what they should wear, and the tribute they should contribute, and, above all, how they should worship and reverence the Sun as their god.

In all parts they called the Inca their father, and he took care that no one should do any damage in the fields by which they passed, nor ill-treat any man or woman. He who committed any such offence was presently punished with death. He arranged that those who submitted should build their towns in due order, that they should not wage war upon each other, nor eat human flesh, nor commit any other crimes against the law of nature.

He entered the country of the Bracamoras, but returned flying, for it is an evil region covered with forest. In the country of the Paltas, in Huancabamba, Caxas, and Ayavaca, he had great trouble in subjugating the people, who were strong and warlike. They maintained the contest against him during more than five moons. At length they asked for peace, which was granted with the usual conditions. On one day the peace was established, and on the next, the country was full of mitimaes with governors, without depriving the native chiefs. Store-houses were built, provisions were collected in them, and the royal road was constructed, with a series of forts throughout.

From these districts, Tupac Ynca Yupanqui advanced until he came to the country of the CaÑaris, with whom he also had quarrels and disputes; but the same happened with them as with others, they remained his vassals, and he ordered them to proceed to Cuzco and settle in that city—more than 15,000 men, with their women, and the principal chief to govern them. It was done as he commanded. Some pretend that the sending of the CaÑaris to Cuzco happened in the time of Huayna Ccapac. At Tumebamba, the Inca ordered great edifices to be built, respecting which I treated in the First Part.[216] From this place he sent embassies in various directions, inviting the people to come and see him, and many, without making war, offered their services. Those who took another course were obliged, by an advance of captains and troops, to do by force what others did of their own free will.

The affairs of the country of the CaÑaris having been settled, the Inca marched by Tiquizambi, Cayambi, and the Purnaes, and many other districts, where they recount great things that he did; and the knowledge he must have possessed to make himself monarch of such great kingdoms, seems almost incredible. In Tacunga, he waged fierce war with the natives, and, after they were subdued, he made peace. Here he ordered such grand edifices to be erected as to exceed those of Cuzco in perfection. He rested at Tacunga for some days; and nearly every day a messenger arrived from Cuzco, reporting the state of affairs there, while, from other parts, the runners constantly arrived with reports on the administration of the different provinces by the governors. And tidings arrived of a disturbance at Cuzco among the Orejones themselves, which caused some anxiety. But another report quickly followed that all was settled again, and that the governor of the city had severely punished the authors of the uproar.

From Tacunga the Inca advanced until he came to the place we call Quito, where the city of San Francisco del Quito is founded. As the country seemed inviting, and as good as Cuzco, the Inca here founded a place which he called Quito, peopling it with mitimaes. Here he made edifices and store-houses, saying, “Cuzco must be the capital of one part of my great empire and Quito of the other.” He gave important powers to the Governor of Quito, and placed his own governors and delegates in all the surrounding districts. He ordered that there should be a garrison of men, both for peace and war, at Caranguri; and he removed the inhabitants from one village to another, making them exchange their abodes. In all parts they worshipped the Sun, and adopted the customs of the Incas, insomuch that it appeared as if they had all been born in Cuzco. They loved the Inca so much that they called him Father of all, the good Lord, the just, the judge. In the province of the CaÑaris, they assert that Huayna Ccapac was born, and that great festivities took place at his birth. All the inhabitants of those provinces which had been brought under the orderly rule of the great Tupac Inca, arranged their towns with regularity, and made rest-houses on the royal roads. They were diligent to learn the general language of Cuzco and the laws which it was their duty to observe. Masters who came from Cuzco super-intended the building of the edifices, and instructed others in the art; and in like manner the rest of the things which the king ordered were completed.