TUPAC AMARU

Tupac Amaru, captured by the Spanish, endured severe torture, including a broken arm, in an attempt to extract information about his co-conspirators. Despite the pain, he defiantly refused to betray his allies, famously stating that his only accomplices were 'you and I: you for oppressing my people, and I for seeking to liberate them'.

A fictionalized court scene depicts the trial of José Gabriel Condorcanqui, also known as Tupac Amaru, for high treason. He is accused of using his position as an arriero (mule driver) to incite unrest among indigenous people and connect with disaffected Creoles in Cusco and Upper Peru, all under the guise of trading.

Tupac Amaru travelled to Lima to advocate for the abolition of the Mita system and reclaim his Inca title. He encountered resistance from colonial authorities, who dismissed his claims as inconvenient and not within their power to address, highlighting the deep-seated corruption and indifference of the Spanish crown to indigenous suffering.

Tupac Amaru engages in a discussion about slavery, arguing against its necessity for progress. He meets with individuals in Lima including Don Julián Moreno, suggested to be part of secret Masonic corporations, and deliberates on strategies for improving society and challenging tyranny.

Tupac Amaru asserts his direct descent from the last Inca lords, emphasizing the spiritual and symbolic significance of his title beyond a mere king. He stresses that the Incas remain the 'heart of this world' and their word demands to be heard and obeyed, challenging the colonial perception that the Inca power had been completely abolished.

On the King's birthday, Tupac Amaru invited Corregidor Arriaga to a feast, which was a trap. Arriaga was captured and later executed by hanging, marking a direct challenge to Spanish authority. This act triggered the full-scale rebellion led by Tupac Amaru and his forces.

The Bishop of Cusco, once a supporter of Tupac Amaru's grievances, is interrogated about his alleged involvement in the rebellion. Despite his initial sympathy for the indigenous cause, he eventually excommunicates Tupac Amaru, a powerful spiritual weapon that significantly hampered the rebellion by dividing his followers.

Tupac Amaru's forces achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Sangarará, surprising the Spanish royalists. This early success marked a crucial moment in the rebellion, showcasing the power of the indigenous uprising against colonial oppression.

Tupac Amaru declared the abolition of the Mita, forced labor, and various colonial taxes and abuses. He confiscated goods and distributed them among the indigenous population, proclaiming the freedom of slaves and mobilizing diverse groups against the Spanish, including miners, peasants, and poor Creoles.

Tupac Amaru deliberated with his council on whether to proceed with the siege of Cusco. Despite some initial successes, he faced a formidable Spanish defense and the internal conflict of fighting against indigenous people forced into the Spanish army. He ultimately decided to retreat to Tungasuca, a strategic move to conserve his forces.

On April 5, 1781, Tupac Amaru's forces camped near Sangarará, with the royalist army nearby. A traitor, Francisco de Santa Cruz, informed the Spanish of Tupac Amaru's movements, leading to his surprise attack and subsequent capture on April 6. This betrayal marked a turning point, signaling the beginning of the end for the rebellion.

José Antonio de Areche, the General Visitor, read out the horrific sentence for Tupac Amaru and his family. The sentence dictated their public execution in Cusco, dismemberment, and the distribution of their body parts as a warning. It also ordered the destruction of his home and the obliteration of his lineage and memory, highlighting the extreme measures taken by the Spanish to suppress the rebellion and any future uprisings.