| Reign | 1545 - 1571 |
| Title | Sapa Inca |
| Dynasty | Inca |
| Children | Unknown |
| Spouse(s) | Unknown |
| Successor | Inca Empire dissolved by the Spanish |
| Predecessor | |
| Cause of death | Executed by the Spanish |
| Place of birth | Unknown, Inca Empire |
| Place of death | Cuzco, Inca Empire |
| Remembered for | Last Sapa Inca • Resistance against the Spanish invasion • Cultural and intellectual renaissance in Cuzco |
| Birth and death | Dates unknown, executed in 1571 |
Felipe Túpac Amaru De Castro Yupanqui (1545-1571) was the last Sapa Inca (emperor) of the Inca Empire, ruling from 1545 until his execution by Spanish forces in 1571. Ascending the throne at a young age, Túpac Amaru led a desperate struggle to maintain Inca independence in the face of relentless Spanish conquest. While he briefly secured an alliance with the Portuguese Empire, Túpac Amaru's reign witnessed both the high point of Inca cultural achievements and the ultimate collapse of the ancient empire.
Túpac Amaru became Sapa Inca at the age of 23, following the death of his father Manco Inca Yupanqui. He inherited a realm already reeling from the Spanish invasion led by Francisco Pizarro that had begun in 1532. Túpac Amaru's early years as ruler were marked by ceaseless warfare against Spanish forces that had rapidly conquered much of the Inca heartland.
Despite initial setbacks, Túpac Amaru proved to be a skilled military strategist and diplomat. He succeeded in rallying the remaining Inca resistance, forging an alliance with the Portuguese Empire in the East Indies in a bid to outmaneuver the Spanish. This strategic move temporarily halted the Spanish advance and allowed Túpac Amaru to solidify control over the Inca capital of Cuzco and the surrounding Andes region.
Túpac Amaru's reign witnessed a remarkable cultural and intellectual flowering in Cuzco. The Inca emperor was a patron of the arts, architecture, and scholarship, and the city became a hub of scientific, philosophical, and religious exploration. Major architectural projects like the expansion of the Coricancha temple-complex were undertaken, along with the development of advanced astronomy, engineering, and mathematics.
Túpac Amaru also oversaw the refinement of the Quechua language and the production of a wealth of Inca literature, poetry, and historical chronicles. The royal court became a center of artistic production, with master craftsmen producing exquisite textiles, metalwork, and ceramics that showcased Inca cultural achievements. This "Golden Age" of Inca civilization coincided with Túpac Amaru's reign, earning him enduring renown.
Despite his cultural and diplomatic successes, Túpac Amaru was ultimately unable to withstand the relentless Spanish onslaught. In 1570, Spanish forces succeeded in breaching Cuzco's defenses and capturing the Inca emperor. Túpac Amaru was put on trial and convicted of treason against the Spanish Empire. He was publicly executed by firing squad in the Cuzco central square in 1571.
Túpac Amaru's death marked the effective end of the Inca Empire. His successor, the young Tupac Amaru II, was unable to rally sufficient resistance, and within a few years the once-mighty Inca state had collapsed under Spanish colonial rule. Túpac Amaru's reign is thus seen as the final glorious chapter of Inca history before its demise.
Despite his ultimately tragic fate, Túpac Amaru remains one of the most revered figures in Andean history. He is remembered as a skilled military leader, visionary statesman, and patron of Inca arts and culture. His defiant resistance against the Spanish invasion and tragic execution have made him an enduring symbol of indigenous struggle against colonial oppression.
Túpac Amaru's life and legacy have been celebrated in Inca and mestizo traditions, literature, and revolutionary movements across the Andes, from the Túpac Amaru Rebellion of the 18th century to the present day. He is venerated as a martyr and hero in Quechua and Aymara communities, with his name invoked in efforts to reclaim Inca cultural identity and sovereignty. Túpac Amaru's enduring influence thus reflects the lasting significance of the Inca Empire and its tragic demise under the forces of Spanish colonialism.
