Intrigued by ancient civilizations and their history? Well, then I’m sure you’ll find the brief outline of the Inca civilization timeline in the following article resourceful!
There are many humorous things in the world, among them the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages.
~ Mark Twain
Indeed! Like it or not, the primary reason behind ancient civilizations becoming mere chapters in history books and their relics adorning the exhibition lobbies of museums all around the “civilized” world is the white man’s burden – the self-assumed responsibility of our Caucasian ancestors to educate and civilize the rest of the world! The Inca civilization, one of the most amazing ancient native American civilizations, was one such victim of the white man’s burden. The origins of this civilization is estimated to date back to the early decades of the 12th century BC. Jump ahead to the following segment for a quick look at the complete Inca civilization timeline.
Timeline of Inca Civilization
The following table lays down a direct, uncomplicated Inca timeline for kids and grown ups who are interested in reading about the ancient world.
| Dawn of the Inca Civilization | |
|---|---|
| Year/ Time Period | Brief of Events |
| c. 18000 BC | Population demographics in the Peruvian region, that would later become the cradle of the Inca empire, comprises families of natives who are formed into several tribes of hunter-gatherers. |
| 5000-2000 BC | The native tribal populace begins farming and agricultural pursuits around this time (as suggested by archaeological evidences ) |
| c. 500-300 AD. | The Inca civilization and its related culture and social structure is formed around this period (as suggested by the first proofs of the Inca civilization found from excavations and archaeological studies which date back to this period). |
| Formation and Rise of The Inca Empire | |
| Year/ Time Period | Brief of Events |
| 1200 AD | Manco Cápac I, the first Sapa Inca, founds the city of Cusco, establishing the capital of the Inca empire and becomes the first ruler of the Incas. |
| 1400-1500 AD. | The Inca empire prospers and expands by conquering neighboring tribes. It succeeds in bringing an additional 2500*500 square miles within its geographical jurisdiction. |
| 1525-1531 | A dispute over succession arises between Huascar and Atahuallpa after their father, Sapa Inca Huayna Cápac, succumbs to smallpox. This leads to a civil war. Atahuallpa wins and becomes the new ruler. |
| Arrival of Spaniards and Inca Rebellion | |
| Year/ Time Period | Brief of Events |
| 1531-1533 | Arrival of Spanish Conquistadors, headed by Marquess Francisco Pizarro González, at the Inca lands and capture of Atahuallpa by them. Pizarro asks for a hefty ransom for release of the Sapa Inca. Atahuallpa is killed by Pizarro during this period. |
| 1533-1536 | Manco Cápac II declared a new ruler but the actual control of the empire remains in the hands of the Spaniards. Owing to his differences with the Spanish, Manco Cápac II is imprisoned in the Sacsahuaman fortress. |
| 1536-1544 | Manco Cápac II manages to escape from prison and gathers an army of rebels against the Spaniards. The city of Cuzo is set ablaze and the Manco Cápac II establishes his rebel militia base at Vitcos. |
| 1541 | Francisco Pizarro is assassinated by seven Almagrists and they flee to Vitcos to join Manco Cápac’s rebel army. |
| Fall of The Inca Empire | |
| Year/ Time Period | Brief of Events |
| 1545 | Sayri Tupac, at the age of 5 years, declared ruler of the rebels after Manco II is assassinated by the Almagrists. |
| 1545-1557 | Tensions between Spaniards and Inca rebels decrease gradually and the Spanish ruler, Prince Philip, even sends envoys to restore peace and urge Sayri Tupac to give in to Spanish authority and return to Cuzco to which Sayri Tupac agrees. |
| 1557-1560 | Sayri Tupac dies soon after and the Incans believe that he was poisoned. Sayri Tupac is succeeded by Titu Cusi |
| 1560-1566 | Under Titu Cusi’s rule rebellious activities in areas under Spanish authority resume, spurring the beginning of peace talks between Titu Cusi and the Spaniards and resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Acobamba. |
| 1567-1570 | Titu Cusi dies soon after pledging his allegiance to the Spanish throne and his death is also believed to have been caused by poisoning. Friar Diego Ortiz is accused of the murder and is tortured to death. |
| 1571-1572 | Titu Cusi is succeeded by Tupac Amaru. However, Vilcabamba, the unofficial separatist rebel province, is besieged by the Spanish after Viceroy Toledo declares war and Tupac Amaru takes flight. He, along with his family, is captured and taken to Cuzco where they are all executed, marking the ultimate fall of the Inca rule. |
That was a precise Inca civilization timeline. Although the 16th century marked the end of the Inca empire timeline, descendants of the Inca rulers and the Inca race still exist and most of them live in and around Peru, the modern-day South American country that was the land where their ancestors ruled.
