Manco Inca

Manco Inca Yupanqui was the founder and first Sapa Inca of the independent Neo-Inca State in Vilcabamba, although he was originally a puppet Inca Emperor installed by the Spaniards. He was also known as Manco II and Manco Cápac II. He was one of the sons of Huayna Cápac and a younger brother of Huáscar.

Biography Origin and enthronement Manco Inca, one of the more than 50 sons of Huayna Capac, was born in Cuzco in 1515. His early history is obscure.

On 14 November 1533, he met the conquistador Francisco Pizarro and his contingent, both Inca and Spanish. This and other events, such as the massacre of Atahualpa, led Manco Inca to believe that the Spaniards were "saviours" sent by the gods.

When Pizarro left Cuzco with Almagro and Manco Inca, for Jauja in pursuit of Quizquiz, Francisco left his younger brothers Gonzalo Pizarro and Juan Pizarro as regidores, and a ninety-man garrison in the city. where he founded the Neo-Inca State which lasted until the death of Túpac Amaru in 1572. From there, he continued his attacks against the Wankas (one of the most important allies of the Spaniards), having some success after fierce battles, and to the highlands of present-day Bolivia, where, after many battles, his army was defeated.

The Spaniards crowned his younger half-brother Paullu Inca as puppet Sapa Inca after his retreat for his valuable help in that last campaign. The Spanish succeeded in capturing Manco's sister-wife, Cura Ocllo; Gonzalo Pizarro raped her and kept her at his palace in Casana. The Spaniards had her murdered in 1539.

Death Diego Méndez murders Manco Inca, drawing made by the chronicler Martín de Murúa.

After many guerrilla battles in the mountainous regions of Vilcabamba, Manco was murdered in 1544 in the Inca centre of Vitcos by supporters of Diego de Almagro, who had previously assassinated Francisco Pizarro and who were in hiding under Manco's protection. They, in turn, were all killed by Manco's soldiers.

Manco was succeeded by his son Sayri Tupaq. Manco Inca had several sons, including Sayri Tupaq, Titu Cusi, and Túpac Amaru.

Manco's body was preserved at Vilcabamba in a Temple of the Sun.