Inca Army - Composition

Composition

As the Inca empire grew, the army of peasant warriors was replaced by an army with professional officers. Officers were chosen during the "Huarachicuy" festival during which candidates had to undergo various tests of physical skill such as racing, marksmanship, simulated combat and battle drill. There was even a competition to see if they could stay awake for a long period, and in fact it is reported that some officers could remain awake for a whole week.

Inca battalions contained permanent staff (generals and officers) and non-permanent personnel composed of drafted hatun runas (common men) who would be serving their military mita public service (comparable to a mandatory military service). Once the mita was fulfilled, each hatun runa would return to their respective ayllu (community).

Each battalion was made up of a single ethnic group, the whole group being directed by a Curaca (warlord) who had the same ethnicity. In the event that a Curaca fell in battle a replacement was appointed from within the same ethnic group. In order to prevent rebellions and to promote performance in battle, each ethnic group was divided into two battalions, each one under the command of a general (and both under the command of the Curaca), who would compete against his counterpart in displaying bravery on the battlefield, thus increasing his chances of promotion. This concept of "duality" is widespread in the Andean world, and represents the two Inca dynasties: Hanan and Hurin.

Since the government of Tupac Yupanqui, a specialized elite group of soldiers was appointed for the safekeeping of the Sapa Inca (The One and Only Inca) during parades, travel or campaigns. These bodyguards originated primarily in Cuzco, even though with time outstanding soldiers from other ethnicities were accepted into the group. This imperial guard, all of them belonging to the nobility, reached a size of 10,000.

All members of the Inca army were between 25 and 50 years old. All of the empire's citizens had to perform either military or community service. One of every 50 men over 25 years old (legal age in the Inca Empire) would be chosen for military service. For noblemen, this was an honor and a duty, for common men, it was a means of social promotion. In accordance with the duality concept, one of every 50 young women were selected to serve in the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun.

After a certain period of time (usually 6 or 7 years), the military service was considered to be fulfilled for common men. However, professional officers were permanent soldiers and paid by the state. This military caste enjoyed several privileges as the State paid for their food and housing costs as well as clothing and several other gifts such as coca, jewelry, and wives.

Runas (common men) from the coastal region, unlike people from the highlands, were not compelled to serve in the army. This is probably explained by their lack of adaptation to the harsh climate conditions of the highlands, where most wars took place.

It is worth noting that the army units would march in the company of a large number of women, mostly relatives of the soldiers. Women would take care of cooking and repairing the soldier's clothes and after battles would attend the wounded and help bury the dead. Inca armies would not fight at night for religious reasons. A group of priests would also be attached to the army units, in order to pray, make sacrifices, and try to weaken the opposing force by casting spells before and during battle. Weapons and other equipment were transported by llamas.

During the beginnings of the Incan empire the army was mainly formed of ethnic Inca troops, however, later on only the officers and imperial guards were Incas (the Incas were 40,000 to 100,000 strong and they ruled an empire of 10 to 15 million). The squads were organized according to the ethnicity of the soldiers (auca runas), they were armed and dressed according to their tribe, with animal skins, fabric shields, feathers, jewels or body paints.

Once a battle was over, enemy leaders would only be executed if they refused to accept the sovereignty of the Incas. The majority of conquered nations would be absorbed into the Empire. Conquered nations were forced to adopt Quechua as their main language, worship Inca gods and adopt Inca social customs. Inca government officials would perform a careful study of the conquered zone to ensure the achievement of these objectives.