Emergence and expansion

The Inca people began as a tribe of the Killke culture in the Cuzco area around the 12th century AD. Under the leadership of Manco Capac, they formed the small city-state of Cuzco (Quechua Qosqo).
The first step in the expansion of the Inca Empire was the defeat of the Hanan Chankas, a group that lived in the departments of Ayacucho and Huancavelica, near Cuzco. That allowed them to control a large territory around Cuzco and incorporate its population into its army. The expansion continued to the Lake Titicaca region where they allied with the Lupaca ethnic group to defeat the powerful Hatun Colla. The Incas had a special interest to control this region due to their abundant natural resources. After his military victory, Inca Pachacuti rebuilt Cuzco. [3]
In 1438 AD, under the command of Sapa Inca (paramount leader) Pachacuti, much of modern day southern Peru was conquered. Cuzco was rebuilt as a major city and capital of the newly reorganized empire. Known as Tawantinsuyu, it was a federalist system, consisting of a central government with the Inca at its head and four provincial governments with strong leaders: Chinchasuyu (NW), Antisuyu (NE), Contisuyu (SW), and Collasuyu (SE). The powerful Inca emperor is also thought to have built Machu Picchu, either as a family home or as a vacation retreat.
The Incas conquered a vast territory using reciprocity or alliances. Pachacuti would send spies to regions he had wanted in his empire. They would then report back on the political organization, military might, and wealth. The Sapa Inca would then send messages to the leaders of these lands, extolling the benefits of joining his empire. He offered gifts of luxury goods like high quality textiles,coca leaves and mullu and promised that all living in those territories would be materially richer as subject rulers of the Inca. Most accepted the rule of the Inca as a fait accompli and acquiesced peacefully. The neighboring rulers' children would