| Name | Inca Empire |
| Status | Dominant regional power |
| History | Resisted Spanish conquest in 16th century, expanded territory and influence across continent |
| Location | Western South America |
| Language(s) | |
| Significance | Maintained sophisticated Andean culture, technology, and sociopolitical structures, remains a vital force in South American politics, economics, and culture |
| Contributions | Agriculture • Engineering • Astronomy |
| Alternative name | Tahuantinsuyu |
The Inca Empire, also known as the Tahuantinsuyu or the "Four Quarters", is an expansive Quechua-speaking civilization that has dominated the central Andes region of South America for centuries. Unlike our timeline where it was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, in this alternate history the Inca have maintained their independence and continued to thrive and grow.
The origins of the Inca can be traced back to the Kingdom of Cusco, a regional power that emerged in the 12th century CE in what is now southern Peru. Over the next three centuries, the Inca gradually expanded their control across the Andes through a combination of military conquest, political alliances, and cultural diffusion.
Under the leadership of a series of Sapa Inca ("Great Inca") rulers, the Inca Empire - known as Tahuantinsuyu - grew to encompass a vast territory spanning from Ecuador in the north to Chile in the south, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Amazon Basin. This empire integrated diverse indigenous cultures and languages under a cohesive Quechua-speaking civilization.
At its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Inca Empire was one of the largest and most advanced pre-industrial civilizations in the world. Its capital city of Cusco was a magnificent urban center, while an extensive network of roads, aqueducts, and storehouses connected its far-flung provinces.
The Inca state was a complex bureaucratic system that combined local autonomy with centralized control. Provincial governors, known as Suyuyoc, oversaw the administration of the empire's territories. A sophisticated quipu record-keeping system, along with advanced accounting and mathematics, enabled efficient taxation and resource distribution.
The Inca were also remarkable for their innovations in agriculture, engineering, and architecture. They developed terraced farming, irrigation, and crop rotation techniques that allowed them to thrive in the Andes' challenging high-altitude environment. Their road system, stonework, and hydraulic structures were unparalleled in the pre-modern world.
The Inca civilization was highly advanced in both material and intellectual domains. Their culture synthesized elements from diverse Andean traditions, producing a rich tapestry of art, literature, religion, and technology.
Inca religion centered around the worship of the Inti, the sun god, as well as veneration of natural phenomena like mountains, rivers, and celestial bodies. An elaborate priestly caste oversaw a complex calendar system and astronomical observations.
In the realm of science and engineering, the Inca made pioneering advances. They were experts in metallurgy, textiles, ceramics, and the construction of suspension bridges and aqueducts. Their understanding of hydrology and irrigation allowed them to flourish in the arid Andes.
Socially, the Inca Empire was organized along principles of communalism, with an economy based on a system of reciprocity and redistribution. There was a rigid social hierarchy, with the Sapa Inca at the apex, but also a significant degree of upward mobility through merit-based military and bureaucratic service.
When the Spanish conquistadors first arrived in the Andes in the 1530s, the Inca were initially able to resist their efforts at conquest through a combination of military might and diplomatic maneuvering. Led by the dynamic Sapa Inca Tupac Amaru I, the Inca forces were able to drive the Spanish invaders out of the Andes on multiple occasions.
Over the following decades, the Inca waged a protracted guerilla war against the Spanish, making full use of their sophisticated road network, mountain fortresses, and intimate knowledge of the land. They also exploited divisions and rivalries among the European powers to forge strategic alliances.
Although the Spanish eventually succeeded in occupying parts of the Andes, the Inca Empire as a whole was never fully conquered. By the late 16th century, the Tahuantinsuyu had consolidated its control over most of its historical territories, dealing a decisive blow to Spanish ambitions in the region.
Today, the Inca Empire remains a major regional power and cultural force in South America. While no longer a single unitary state, the Tahuantinsuyu is a confederation of Quechua-speaking nations and autonomous territories that cooperate on economic, political, and cultural matters.
The modern Inca states have continued to develop their advanced agricultural, engineering, and scientific capabilities. They are world leaders in fields like renewable energy, ecological preservation, and sustainable development. Their sophisticated urban planning, architecture, and transportation networks are the envy of the continent.
Culturally, Inca civilization exerts a powerful influence across the Andes and beyond. Quechua is widely spoken, and Inca traditions in art, music, cuisine, and spirituality are deeply woven into the fabric of South American life. The Inca also play a prominent role in global conversations around indigenous rights, environmental protection, and the preservation of ancient knowledge.
As a geopolitical force, the modern Inca states have become a counterweight to European colonial powers and other regional hegemons. They leverage their natural resources, technological prowess, and cultural cache to assert sovereignty and advance their interests on the world stage. The Tahuantinsuyu remains a vital and evolving force in the 21st century.
