Battle of Huanucopampa

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Atahualpa-Huascar conflict
partof=Inca Civil War
campaign=Atahualpa's counter-offensive


caption=
date=Early 1532
place=Huanucopampa plains, in present-day Peru
casus=
territory=Continued advance of Atahualpa forces
result=Inconclusive, successful retreat by Huáscar's army
combatant1=Atahualpans
combatant2=Huáscarans
commander1=Chalkuchimac
Quizquiz
Tomay RimaKIA
commander2=Huáscar
Uampa Yupanqui
Tito Atauchi
Topa Atao
Guanca Auqui
Agua Panti
Paca Yupanqui
strength1=Unknown
strength2=Unknown
casualties1= Unknown, probably high
casualties2= Unknown

After the disastrous battle of Chimborazo, the expected victor of the war, Huáscar, had been deeply humiliated, his army routed and forced to withdraw to the south, shadowed by a contingent of the northeners sent by Atahualpa under the command of generals Chalcuchimac and Quizquiz, possibly as well Rumiñahui. Huáscar himself split his army along the border in three divisions, one main division commanded by Uampa Yupanqui with troops from Kuntisuyu and from the south, planning to cross the Cotabambas river. Another army was led by Guanca Auqui, Agua Panti, Paca Yupanqui and a third led by Huáscar himself (taking command personnaly for the first time) and his brothers Tito Atauchi and Topa Atao.
The armies met at the plains close to Huanuco, when Huáscar ordered Uampa Yupanqui to take battle with the followers. Initially the battle was reportedly succeful for the Huáscaran troops, with Atahualpa's captain Tomay Rima killed in battle, upon when Huáscar launched a massive assault with all his soldiers. The battle allegedly lasted for an entire day and ended inconclusive, as Chalcuchima and Quizquiz pulled back upon night towards a hill nearby. Huáscar ordered his warriors to burn the grass, causing massive losses among the Atahualpan forces. Instead of pressing this attack, however, Huáscar chose to retreat safely to the south across the river, ordering his brother Topa Atao to fortify a pass carrying the main route to the nearby Inca capital of Cuzco. Once again followed by the army of Quizquiz and Chalcuchima, the latter managed to envelop and destroy the forces of Topa Atao. Permanently losing his possible outlets for advantage, Huáscar was himself defeated and captured at Quipaipan in April, 1532.