INCA BEGIN 10-MONTH SIEGE OF CUZCO
After the Battle of Cajamarca (1532), victorious conquistador leader, Francisco Pizarro, had his prisoner, Atahuallpa—king and god of the Inca–garroted. In late 1533, Pizarro captured the Inca capital of Cuzco and coronated Manco Inca, son of Atahuallpa, as a puppet Inca emperor. Manco was imprisoned after trying to flee in November 1535. Released in January 1536, he immediately prepared a rebellion. Taking refuge in the Yucay Valley, he raised an army of over 100,000 Inca from Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. The Inca took the Spanish by surprise and occupied most of the city, including the formidable citadel of Sacsahuaman. The Spaniards then counterseiged. After months of fighting, the Spanish cut off supplies to Sacsahuaman and attacked Manco’s headquarters at Ollantaytambo. This attack was repelled but, as Manco moved in upon Cuzco for the kill, his own force was taken by surprise. The Inca were defeated, and the reign of the Spanish over Peru was confirmed.
Source: Michael Kerrigan, “Battle of Cuzco,” Encyclopedia Brittanica. Retrieved 3/1/2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Cuzco Art: Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, date unknown. Public Domain.
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