Paullu Inca

Paullu Inca (1518–1549) was a puppet Sapa Inca installed by the Spaniards after the previous Sapa Inca, Manco Inca Yupanqui, rebelled against the Spanish and established the small Neo-Inca State in Vilcabamba.

He was the son of Huayna Capac and half brother of Ninan Cuyochi, Huáscar, Atahualpa, Túpac Huallpa and Manco Inca Yupanqui.

In the early part of Manco Inca's reign, he was a strong supporter of Manco Inca, who ordered him and the high priest Villac Umac to accompany Diego de Almagro's expedition to Chile in 1535. Both awaited Almagro at Tupiza and there delivered to him a large quantity of gold from the Chilean tribute. At Jujuy, Villac Umac escaped and returned to Peru, during his journey fomenting a general revolution against the Spaniards, at the instigation of Manco Inca.

When Almagro's expedition returned, Manco Inca had Cusco under siege. The return of Diego de Almagro and his several hundred troops precipitated the end of the siege. Paullo Inca sided with the Spanish, and was recompensed for his services by receipt of the property of his brother Huáscar.

Paullu was crowned Sapa Inca after the departure of Manco Inca.

After Almagro took possession of Cuzco and captured the brothers Pizarro, Paullu, at the head of the Incas, aided Almagro to defeat the forces of Alonso de Alvarado at Abancay. Paullu also took part in the battle of Salinas at the head of 6,000 Incas, and in 1539 he accompanied Gonzalo Pizarro in the war against the Incas of Charcas.

Charles V recommended him to the viceroy Blasco Núñez Vela, and wrote to Paullu a letter expressing his gratitude. In 1543 he was baptized under the name of Cristoval. In contrast to most of his brothers, he died a peaceful death in 1549. He was buried in the church that he built in Cuzco.