Learn about the historic lost manuscript of the Incas that returned to Peru

After several decades lost, the manuscript, called "Memories of the Peruvian Monarchy or Outline of the History of the Incas", was found and recovered by the National Library of Peru (BNP).

The document, written by a direct descendant of the Incas in 1838, was lost in Lima during the War of the Pacific, an armed conflict between Peru and Bolivia against Chile from 1879 to 1884.

After approximately more than one hundred years it was found in Brazil and in the possession of the Mindlin family. As they explained, it fell into their hands in the seventies and, after looking after it for a long period, they decided to put it up for sale, something that made it possible to find the relic. However, when they learned of its cultural value, they returned it to the BNP without any problem.

Ancient jewel

This masterpiece was created by Justo Apu Sahuaraura Inca, who descended from the Inca Huayna Capac on his mother's side, Cristobal Paullu Inca (son of Huayna Capac, named Inca by Diego de Almagro) and the royal family of Pachacutec.

According to historical details, Justo Sahuaraura was a researcher who called himself the "last descendant of the imperial lineage of the Incas". A clergyman as well he also spent a long period consulting archives and documents that would allow him to portray the Inca Empire in its fullest expression.

His historiography starts from the beginning of the Inca Empire, in Cusco and under the reign of Manco Capac, to Tupac Amaru, who led the most powerful anti-colonial rebellion in Latin America during the 18th century.

Both Sanahuara and the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega were responsible for leaving a cultural legacy that has made it possible to recreate the national scene during the arrival of the Spanish, which occurred in 1532.

The BNP revealed that the document arrived in Peru in good condition and even has some illustrations in color attached.

"It is a rare document, there is no other 19th century document of this type... The wonderful thing about this document being in the National Library is that researchers will now have a great opportunity to research it", said Ezio Neyra, institutional head of the BNP.

About Justo Sahuaraura

It is known that Justo Apu Sahuaraura Inca was a priest, and he carried out the work of synodal examiner of the bishopric and general visitor of six provinces in Cusco, by request of the church.

However, this did not deter him from his goal: to make Peru free and independent again. That is why he devoted all his money to fighting for the cause, the reason why Spanish laws left him without a single asset. It is also known that Simón Bolivar was an illustrious visitor of his.

Sahuaraura is also said to have been a literature lover, since his manuscripts also included a literary anthology of the empire that included the codex of the Ollantay drama.  There is no information about the death of the writer, however, it is known that he was never heard of again after he left Cusco.

Recovering documents

As with this document, Neyra also pointed out that the BNP has been recovering other manuscripts of national value. "We are now talking about this particular manuscript, but there have been other very important finds as well, perhaps the most important one in recent times is the return by the Chilean government (in 2007 and 2017) of a number of materials that were taken from the National Library during the Chilean occupation of Lima", he said.

The National Library is also working on strategies that appeal to the "goodwill" of people - Peruvian or foreign - who own historical archives, so that they can return them to where they belong.