How did the Inca prevent revolts by local rulers who gained too much power or from newly conquered ethnic groups?
The Inca forcibly resettled people to different parts of the empire to dilute potential opposition.
The Inca supported local autonomy and ethnic diversity through the use of ayllu .
The Inca constructed large storehouses to control food supplies and prevent access to disloyal communities.
The Inca only constructed roads in areas loyal to the empire and maintained them with mit’a labor.
All of the options provided played a role in preventing revolts by local rulers or newly conquered ethnic groups in the Inca Empire. Each measure served as a strategy to maintain control and prevent opposition from gaining too much power.
1. Forcibly resettling people: The Inca would relocate people from one region to another, mixing populations and diluting any potential opposition. This prevented the concentration of power in one particular area or among a specific group.
2. Supporting local autonomy and ethnic diversity through the use of ayllu: The Inca embraced the concept of ayllu, which was a social and economic unit consisting of extended families or communities that held their own lands and resources. By allowing local rulers and ethnic groups to maintain some autonomy, the Inca Empire fostered a sense of inclusion and reduced the chances of rebellions.
3. Constructing large storehouses: The Inca constructed large storehouses known as qullqas to control food supplies. By controlling access to these resources, the Inca could punish or reward communities based on their loyalty. This control over food supplies deterred potential revolts as disobedient communities risked starvation.
4. Constructing loyal roads and using mit'a labor: The Inca constructed roads primarily in regions that were loyal to the empire and maintained them with the labor force called mit'a. By strategically investing in infrastructure in regions that showed allegiance, the Inca ensured swift communication, transportation, and the ability to mobilize forces effectively, thereby discouraging revolts.
These measures collectively helped the Inca Empire maintain control over various regions and prevented local rulers or conquered groups from gaining too much power or rebelling against the central authority.