Tupac-Amaru, José Gabriel, 1742-1781

José Gabriel Túpac Amaru was the leader of an Andean uprising against the Spanish in Peru. He was likely born in March 1783 in Surimana, Peru. His father was a kuraka (Inca governor) of the province; Túpac Amaru II succeeded his father as kuraka. Tupac Amaru II inherited the caciqueship, or hereditary chiefdom of Tungasuca and Pampamarca from his older brother, governing on behalf of the Spanish governor. Túpac Amaru II led a rebellion against the Spanish to seek better rights of indigenous Peruvians. Much of his rebellion was successful although he failed to capture Cuzco and, along with his family, was executed May 18, 1781 in Cuzco. Although his rebellion was not a success it was the first large-scale rebellion in the Spanish colonies and inspired many others in the region, giving indigenous peoples a sense of pride. Túpac Amaru II became a major figure in the Peruvian Independence movement of the early 19th century.