Battle of Sangarará

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Sangarará
partof=the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II


caption=
date=November 18, 1780
place=Sangarará, Peru
casus=
territory=
result=Rebel Victory
combatant1=Spanish Colonial Forces
combatant2=Indian Rebels
combatant3=
commander1=Tiburcio Landa
commander2=Túpac Amaru II
commander3=
strength1=approximately 900
strength2=estimated at 6,000
strength3=
casualties1=between 300 and 600
casualties2=15 killed, 30 wounded
casualties3=
notes=The Battle of Sangarará was fought on November 18, 1780 in Sangarará, Peru between rebel forces under Túpac Amaru II and Spanish colonial forces under Tiburcio Landa. Túpac Amaru II's forces won decisively.

Background

The Battle of Sangarará took place nine days after the execution of Antonio de Arriaga, the corregidor of Tinta. Sangarará was the first major conflict between Spanish and rebel forces in the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru. Following the capture of Quiquijana, which had been abandoned by its corregidor, on November 12, 1780, meetings were held in Cuzco to establish a war council. [Walker, Charles. "Smoldering Ashes: Cuzco and the Creation of Republican Peru". Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1999, page 36.] Forces consisting of 800 from surrounding areas were combined with volunteers and militia from Cuzco and were organized under Tiburcio Landa. [Walker, page 36.] They arrived in Sangarará on the night of November 17 and based themselves the town's church. [Walker, page 37.] The expectation of the arrival of a snowstorm may have influenced the Spanish decision to fortify the church in addition to strategic reasons. [Walker, page 37.]

The battle

In the morning hours of November 18, the rebel forces occupied nearby hills and surrounded the church. Sympathetic historical accounts outline Túpac Amaru II's request that Creoles, women, and children be allowed to leave the church before the attack. [Walker, page 37] The rebels began attacking the Spanish with slingshots until the church caught fire, either through arson by Túpac Amaru II or through the sudden spark of Spanish gunpowder. [Walker, page 37.] The Spanish fled the church and were routed by the surrounding forces, who were armed with only spears and slings. Spanish troops had brought cannons with, but they were rendered ineffective by the walls of the church. [Walker, page 37.] Historical casualty estimates for the Spanish ranged from 300 to 576. Estimates for rebel casualties number only 15 killed and 30 wounded. [Means, Philip Ainsworth. "The Rebellion of Tupac-Amaru II, 1780-1781." "The Hispanic American Historical Review", Feb. 1919, Vol. II, page 18.]

Aftermath

Túpac Amaru II's decisive victory helped to boost his support among Indians and gained him Spanish arms. [Walker, page 38.] It also helped to create fear among the Spanish in the area. However; the Spanish colonial officials used the violent nature of the battle in propaganda against the rebels. [Walker, page 38.] The Bishop of Cuzco excommunicated Túpac Amaru II from the church for the destruction of the church in Sangarará. [Walker, page 38.] The violent, anti-religious portrayals of the rebel leadership helped to limit support from Creoles and Mestizos. [Walker, page 38.] Following the battle, the rebels solidified their hold on the outside areas instead of attacking Cuzco, going against the advice of fellow commander (and Túpac Amaru II's wife) Micaela Bastidas. [Walker, page 41]

References