Siege of Cusco
1536 · Cusco (in present-day Peru) · World · Modern
After a siege of nearly a year failed to take Cusco, Manco Inca withdrew to the mountains of Vilcabamba and founded a Neo-Inca State that lasted until 1572.
Belligerents
Inca rebels
- Commanders
- Manco Inca, Villac Umu (high priest)
- Strength
- Recorded as tens of thousands to more than 100,000 (estimates vary widely)
Spanish garrison
- Commanders
- Hernando Pizarro, Juan Pizarro, Gonzalo Pizarro
- Strength
- About 190 Spaniards and several hundred Indigenous allies
Background
After Atahualpa's death, the Spaniards set up Huayna Capac's son Manco Inca as a puppet ruler. Repeatedly humiliated and extorted by the Spaniards, Manco left Cusco in 1536 on the pretext of fetching a golden statue, gathered a great army in the Yucay Valley and rose in revolt.
Course of the battle
- Rising and encirclementIn May 1536 a great Inca army surrounded Cusco and occupied the fortress of Sacsayhuamán north of the city.
- Burning of CuscoThe rebels hurled red-hot stones onto the thatched roofs, burning most of the city's buildings, and the Spaniards were left besieged in two large halls.
- Struggle for SacsayhuamánThe Spaniards launched a desperate counteroffensive and retook the fortress; Juan Pizarro was killed.
- OllantaytamboIn early 1537 Hernando Pizarro attacked Manco's stronghold but was driven back by Inca troops who flooded the fields.
- Withdrew to VilcabambaAlmagro returned from Chile, and Manco withdrew to the mountains of Vilcabamba.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1536 |
|---|---|
| Place | Cusco (in present-day Peru) |
| Result | After a siege of nearly a year failed to take Cusco, Manco Inca withdrew to the mountains of Vilcabamba and founded a Neo-Inca State that lasted until 1572. |
| Winner | Spanish garrison |
| Casualties | No precise record; Juan Pizarro was killed in the fight for the fortress of Sacsayhuamán. |
| Territorial change | The Spaniards held Cusco; an Inca attack on Lima at the same time was also repulsed, and the Andean heartland remained under Spanish control. |
Impact
This was the Incas' greatest attempt to recover their empire; after it failed, Indigenous resistance turned to guerrilla warfare in the mountains, and the Inca royal line endured for more than 30 more years.
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