Contents

1. Introduction
2. Who were the Incas?
3. The Rise of the Inca Empire
4. Political Structure 
5. The daily life of the Inca People 
6. Religion and beliefs
7. The Downfall of the Inca Empire
8. Achievements

Introduction

The Inca Civilization, also known as the Inka Empire, is considered to be one of history’s most amazing and advanced ancient civilizations. The Inca Empire flourished in South America’s Andean area, especially in present-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, and left an indelible mark on the region’s cultural, architectural, and social landscape. This thorough essay tries to investigate the Inca Civilization’s history, achievements, political organisation, economy, society, religion, and eventual demise.

Who were the Incas?

The Inca Civilization began in the 13th century when a small tribe known as the Incas appeared in the Cuzco region of modern-day Peru. The Incas began expanding their realm through military victories under the command of their first monarch, Manco Capac. The kingdom, however, had its greatest substantial rise during the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui in the mid-15th century, reaching its apex during the reign of Emperor Huayna Capac in the late 15th century.

The Inca civilization was one of the largest empires in the world at its peak. The Inca people were originally from the Cusco region of Peru. They began to expand their empire around 1200 AD. By 1500 AD, the Inca had conquered most of the Andean region, from Ecuador to Chile. The Inca civilization was known for its elaborate architecture, including the city of Machu Picchu. They also had a complex system of roads and bridges. They were also the first people in South America to use a form of writing. Although their empire was conquered by the Spanish in 1532, many aspects of Inca life and culture continue to influence Peru today.

The Rise of the Inca Empire

The Inca civilization was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. They began as a small tribe in the Cusco area of Peru. The Inca tribe slowly began to expand their territory and by the early 15th century, they had conquered most of the Andean region. The Incas were known for their engineering achievements, as well as their art and architecture. One of the most famous features of Inca architecture is the use of stone blocks that fit together without the use of mortar. The Incas also developed an extensive system of roads and bridges. The rise of the Inca civilization is one of the great ancient American success stories. The Inca civilization was, in many ways, an amalgamation of earlier cultures. They borrowed heavily from their predecessors, the Wari and Tiwanaku cultures. But they also added their own unique elements to create a culture that was distinctly Inca. The Inca were a highly organized people with a complex social hierarchy. They had a strong military tradition and were skilled architects and engineers.

The daily life of the Inca People 

Inca society had a robust family system. The family was a basic component of their society. There was a strong bond between distance relations. For instance, they had the same words for father and uncle as for mother and aunt.   The daily life of the Inca people was characterized by agricultural activities and military service for males. There were also important yearly events to celebrate. Different festivals were an important part of their lives.

Religion and beliefs

Inca people had a complex mixture of ceremonies, rituals and animistic beliefs. There were multiple religions and gods. They worshipped nature, the sun and different objects which they considered divine. They had a strong belief in magic and their priests performed magical rituals. Although, their state religion was Sun worship. Among many of their gods, Viracocha was the creator of earth animals and humans. Viracocha was also the divine protector of the Inca ruler. This means that politics and religion were not separate in their society Second important god was the Inti (sun god). Inti was the most important deity in the Inca civilization. They called Inti my father and considered it to be the divine ancestor of their lineage. There were also two other important gods Apu Illapu (rain god) and Mama Quilla (regulator of women’s menstrual cycle).

The Downfall of the Inca Empire

The Inca civilization was one of the most advanced civilizations of its time. However, it ultimately fell to the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. There are many reasons for the fall of the Inca civilization, including disease, civil war, and Spanish military superiority. The Incas were a highly advanced civilization, with a rich culture and impressive architectural feats. However, they were no match for the Spanish conquistadors who invaded their territory in the 16th century. The Spanish had superior military technology and tactics and brought diseases that devastated the Inca population. In addition, civil war within the Inca Empire contributed to its downfall. The fall of the Inca Empire was a tragedy for both the Incas and South America as a whole.

Achievements

Architecture

The Inca Civilization is famous for its extraordinary architectural feats, most notably Machu Picchu, the iconic citadel ensconced in the Andes Mountains. The Incas were masters of stone masonry, building gigantic stone constructions without the use of mortar. Their road network, known as the Inca Road or Qhapaq an, connected the empire’s immense domains and spanned over 40,000 kilometres. Other architectural wonders in Cuzco include the Sacsayhuaman fortification and the Temple of the Sun. 

Agriculture

The Inca Empire had a well-organized and efficient economy that provided for its large people. Agriculture was the backbone of their economy, with the Incas perfecting terrace farming techniques to plant food on high mountain slopes. The major crop was maize, but they also grew potatoes, quinoa, beans, and other crops. The empire featured a vast network of storehouses that allowed for the centralised delivery of food and merchandise. The Incas were also traders, exchanging textiles, pottery, and precious metals.

Social Structure

Individuals in Inca society were classified into various social classes. The governing nobility was at the top, followed by the ayllus (extended families), artisans, farmers, and labourers. The Mit’a system was a type of mandatory public service in which residents were required to provide labour to various state initiatives. The Incas also had a complicated system of collective land ownership, with each family receiving land based on their requirements.

Political Structure 

The Inca Empire was a highly centralised, bureaucratic state with a powerful imperial government. The Sapa Inca, or emperor, who was regarded as divine and possessed absolute control, was at the peak of power. The nobility known as the Capac Incas functioned as administrators, military leaders, and rulers of numerous provinces beneath the monarch. Each suyus (region) of the empire had its own governor. This hierarchical organisation aided tribute collecting, order maintenance, and effective governance.

Source

Discovering Ancient MesoAmerican Civilisations BY Ann Byers