Pachacuti

c. 1418 – c. 1471

Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui (died c. 1471) was the ninth Sapa Inca of Cusco and the ruler who transformed the Kingdom of Cusco into the vast Inca Empire, Tawantinsuyu. He rebuilt Cusco as an imperial capital, reorganized the state's administration and religion, and is widely credited with ordering the construction of Machu Picchu.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Pachacuti.

Life events

Born Cusi Yupanqui, son of the Inca ruler Viracocha
c. 1418

The future Pachacuti was born into the ruling lineage of Cusco; his birth date is not recorded and his early life is known only from post-conquest chronicles.

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Led the defense of Cusco against the Chanka invasion
c. 1438

When the Chanka confederation attacked Cusco and his father and designated heir fled, Cusi Yupanqui rallied the city's defenders and defeated the invaders, according to the chronicles.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Sapa Inca and took the name Pachacuti
c. 1438

After his victory over the Chanka he displaced his father and brother to take the throne, adopting the name Pachacuti, 'he who overturns the world'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Rebuilt Cusco as the imperial capital
c. 1440

Pachacuti is credited with replanning Cusco, including the great sun temple Coricancha and, by tradition, the fortress-complex of Sacsayhuaman.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Conquered vast territories to create Tawantinsuyu
c. 1440 – c. 1463

Through campaigns across the Andean highlands, including the Titicaca basin and lands to the north, he expanded the Kingdom of Cusco into the empire the Incas called Tawantinsuyu.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Reorganized the empire's administration and state religion
c. 1445

Chroniclers credit Pachacuti with instituting imperial administrative systems, elevating the sun god Inti, and reorganizing Cusco's ceque shrine system.

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Ordered the construction of Machu Picchu
c. 1450

The mountain estate of Machu Picchu is generally attributed by scholars to Pachacuti, built around 1450 as a royal retreat.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Entrusted military command to his son Topa Inca Yupanqui
c. 1463

In his later years Pachacuti handed leadership of the army and northern campaigns to his heir Topa Inca while continuing to govern from Cusco.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Cusco and was succeeded by Topa Inca Yupanqui
c. 1471

Pachacuti died around 1471; chronicle accounts describe an elaborate royal funeral and his mummy being preserved and venerated.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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