Antisuyu

Antisuyu was the eastern quarter of the Inca Empire, known as Tahuantinsuyu. The name derives from Quechua anti, “east,” and suyu, “region” or “province.” It was one of the four suyus that organized the empire’s territory and administration.

Geography and ecology: Antisuyu stretched from the central Andean highlands toward the Amazon Basin, encompassing a broad range of environments, including highland valleys, cloud forests, and tropical foothills. It formed the empire’s eastern frontier and housed diverse communities integrated into the Inca state. The region connected the heartland of Cusco with eastern zones and their ecological zones.

Administration and governance: As with other suyus, Antisuyu was governed by local curacas under the central Inca administration. It relied on the imperial road network, the Qhapaq Ñan, with tambos (way stations) to support administration, communication, trade, and military movements. The mit’a labor system supplied workers for state projects, and the region contributed agricultural products, crafts, and human resources to the empire.

Economy and society: Antisuyu included a variety of economic activities adapted to its diverse ecologies, from highland agriculture to forest and riverine resources. The Inca integrated local populations through tribute labor, corvée work, and participation in religious and ceremonial life, while maintaining local leadership under the broader imperial framework.

Historical significance: The eastern quarter played a key role in the expansion and frontier management of the Inca state, linking Andean populations with forested eastern zones and supporting the broader imperial network of roads, centers, and administrative oversight.