The Corregidores of the Colca Valley, Peru: Imperial Administration in an Andean Region

Noble David Cook

doi:10.3989/aeamer.2003.v60.i2.153

Abstract

The corregidor de los indios was introduced into the Viceroyalty of Peru by Governor Garcia de Castro in 1565. The institution was designed to limit the power of the encomendero elite and to improve administration and justice in the Andean countryside. Here we examine the impact of the reforms at the local level, the corregimiento of Los Collaguas in the Colca Valley, located between Cuzco and Arequipa. Althought the Crown was largely successful in weakening the encomienda, possibility of graft corrupted all but a handful of corregidores. The residencia did check some of those abuses.

Highlights

The corregidor de los indios was introduced into the Viceroyalty of Peru by Governor García de Castro in 1565
We examine the impact of the reforms at the local level, the corregimiento of Los Collaguas in the Colca Valley, located between Cuzco and Arequipa
Althought the Crown was largely successful in weakening the encomienda, possibility of graft corrupted all but a handful of corregidores

Summary

Introduction

The corregidor de los indios was introduced into the Viceroyalty of Peru by Governor García de Castro in 1565. Governor Lope García de Castro created in the Colca Valley and the surrounding punalands, the colonial corregimiento or province of Los Collaguas on 3 June 1565.

Results

Conclusion