# The Incas of Peru

THE INCAS OF PERU
Frontispiece
BRIDGE OVER GORGE OF RIO DE PAMPASSee p. 178
THE
INCAS OF PERU
by SIR CLEMENTS MARKHAM, K.C.B. D.Sc. (Camb.), F.R.S., F.B.G.S., F.S.A. CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF HISTORY AT MADRID AND OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETIES OF PERU AND BOLIVIA
WITH 16 ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP
THIRD IMPRESSION (SECOND EDITION)
NEW YORK E. P. BUTTON AND COMPANY 31 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET 1912
[All rights reserved]
PREFACE
The fascinating story of Inca civilisation was told to our fathers by Dr. Robertson, whose 'History of America' appeared in 1778, and to ourselves by Mr. Prescott, whose 'Conquest of Peru' was published in 1843. It is assumed that most educated people have read the latter work. But since its publication a great deal of subsequently discovered material has quite altered our view of some things, and thrown entirely new light upon others. Yet Mr. Prescott's work can never lose its high position as a carefully written and very charming history.
It is now more than sixty years ago since the present writer came under the influence of that fascination, when, as a naval cadet on board H.M.S. Collingwood, the flagship in the Pacific, he first gazed on the land of the Incas. The noble Symondite line-of-battle ship rounded the northern headland of San Lorenzo Island, and made her stately way to her anchorage in Callao roads. I was just fourteen, and under the wing of Lieutenant Peel, aged nineteen (afterwards the gallant Sir William Peel), who was officer of my watch ​lucidly the comparative value of the authorities he had used, adding that there were probably others of equal importance that he had not seen. Once he said that no history could be quite satisfactory unless the author was personally acquainted with the localities he had to describe. He gave me valuable advice, and said that he would be much interested in the results of my journey. I used to drive over the country in a buggy, and pull on the quiet little Nississisett river with Amory. My stay of ten days at Pepperell, with the great historian, is a time which I always look back to with feelings of pleasure and gratitude. It was a fitting introduction to my Peruvian researches.
From Lima I made several excursions, and explored the coast from Lima to Nasca. Crossing an unfrequented pass of the Andes from Yca, I made several excursions from my headquarters at Ayacucho, and eventually went thence to Cuzco. At the city of the Incas I remained several weeks, carefully examining the ruins, and learning much from such recipients of folklore as Dr. Julian Ochoa and the Señora Astete. From Cuzco I went to the valley of Vilcamayu occupied in researches, and then over the Andes to spend a fortnight with Dr. Justiniani, a descendant of the Incas, at Laris, and to copy his manuscripts. ​My next journey was to Paucartambo, whence I penetrated far into the wild montaña. Finally I went from Cuzco to Arequipa by the lofty pass of Rumihuasi.
On my return to England I continued my studies until, in 1859 to 1861, I was engaged on the important public service of introducing the cultivation of the various species of quinine-yielding chinchona trees from South America into British India. I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of that splendid old warrior, General Miller, who referred me to new mines of information among the 'Papeles Varios' of the Lima library. During my journeys I was able to explore great part of the northern half of the basin of Lake Titicaca, and the Montaña of Caravaya. I also collected several Quichua songs. Throughout my journeys in Peru I received the heartiest welcomes and the most unbounded hospitality and kindness. The three Indians who went with me into the forests of Caravaya were obliging, willing, and faithful. My experience with them and others gave me a high opinion of the Indian character.
Since my return from Peru, nearly fifty years ago, I have kept up my knowledge of the literary labours of the Peruvians, in the direction of Inca research, by correspondence with friends, and the receipt of books and pamphlets. My most valued ​correspondents have been Don E. Larrabure y Unanue, Don Manuel Gonzalez de la Rosa, Don José Toribio Polo, and Don Ricardo Palma. I also received much kind assistance from friends in Spain, now departed, Don Pascual de Gayangos, and especially from Don Marcos Jimenez de la Espada. The literary labours of these and other Spanish and Peruvian authors attain a high standard. I have since devoted my efforts to a complete mastery of all the original authorities on Inca history and civilisation. It is not enough to dip into them, nor even to read them, in order to obtain such a mastery. The problems that present themselves in the study of Inca civilisation are often complicated, they need much weighing of evidence, and are difficult of solution. My own studies have extended over many years, during which time I have translated and annotated the principal authorities, made indexes, and ​compared their various statements on each point as it arises. Without such thoroughness, an author is scarcely justified in entering upon so difficult and complicated an inquiry.
Having reached my eightieth birthday, I have abandoned the idea of completing a detailed history which I once entertained. But I have felt that a series of essays, based upon my researches, might at all events be published with advantage, as the subject is one of general interest, alike fascinating and historically important, and as the results of the studies of a lifetime are likely to be of some value. In the form in which the essays are presented, it is my hope that they will be interesting to the general reader, while offering useful material for study to the more serious historical student.
​I have added, as appendices, a translation of the Inca drama of Ollantay; and a curious love story told to Morua by Amautas, in about 1585. It is one of the very few remains of ancient Inca folklore.
The accompanying map is used for the illustration of this work by permission of the council of the Royal Geographical Society. The original compilation and drawing has been made on a scale of 1:1,000,000 in four sheets; but for the purpose of publication the map has been reduced to a scale of 1:2,000,000. The map extends from 8° to 18° S. and from 65° to 74° W., the area included being about 418,000 square miles. No regular surveys exist of the region as a whole, nor are any likely to be undertaken for years to come. Consequently, for the greater part of it, the mapping has depended upon route traverses varying considerably in merit, but fairly good in cases where astronomical observations have been taken.
The compilation and drawing has taken two years, and has necessitated comparing and determining the value of a large amount of cartographical material and many observations.
About sixty observed positions for latitude and twenty for longitude have been accepted, and the materials used include thirty-two recent maps and ​reports. The map includes the original land of the Incas, the basin of Lake Titicaca, and the eastern montaña.
I have to thank the Government of Peru and the Lima Geographical Society, as well as many others, for much valuable assistance in the provision of materials. The very difficult work of compilation has been admirably done by Mr. Reeves, the accomplished Map Curator of the Royal Geographical Society, and by Mr. Batchelor, the very able draughtsman.
CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM.
21 Eccleston Square, S.W. July 1910
CONTENTS
APPENDICES
ILLUSTRATIONS
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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