Pachacuti

Who was Pachacuti?

Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui or Pachacutec or Pachakutiq Inka Yupanki was the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco which he transformed into the empire Tawantinsuyu or the Inca Empire. Most archaeologists now believe that the famous Inca site of Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Pachacuti.

In Quechua Pachakutiq means "he who shakes the earth", and Yupanki means "with honor". During his reign, Cusco grew from a hamlet into an empire that could compete with, and eventually overtake, the Chimú. He began an era of conquest that, within three generations, expanded the Inca dominion from the valley of Cusco to nearly the whole of western South America.

He was the ninth ruler of the Inca state who, from ruling a simple chiefdom came to rule a great empire, the Tawantinsuyu. Although he had not been designated as successor by his father Viracocha Inca, he led a military defense against the warlike army of Chanka while his father and his brother Urco Inca fled the manor. The victory over the Chankas made Inca Viracocha recognize him as his successor around 1438.

As part of his vision of a statesman and warrior chieftain he conquered many ethnic groups and states, highlighting his conquest of the Collao that enhanced the prestige of the Inca Pachacutec. Due to the remarkable expansion of their domains he was considered an exceptional leader, enlivening glorious epic stories and hymns in tribute to his achievements. Numerous kurakas do not hesitate to recognize his skills and identify him as "son of the Sun". While still alive, his son and successor Tupac Yupanqui defeated Chimu and continued the expansion of Tawantinsuyo. Besides being a conquering warrior and emperor, various chronicles say he was also a great administrator, planner, philosopher, observer of human psychology and charismatic general.