The Inca Empire's government was very similar to its peers at the time. All citizens payed taxes and the government had multiple levels of authority. The Empire was ruled as a central monarchy The country was divided into four quarters containing present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Each one was ruled by an Apu. Above them was the Sapa Inka, the supreme leader of the Inca Empire. His queen was called the Qoya. Beneath the royal family was the Inkap Rantin, a viceroy. Beneath him was the High Priest of the Sun, or the Willaq Umu. Next was the council of the Incan Empire, consisting of four nobles from the Central Government, two each from the upper and lower tiers of the government. There were also six nobles from the upper quarters, or hanan suyus, four from Chinchaysuyu and two from Cuntinsuyu. There were also six nobles from each of the lower quarters, or hurin suyus, four from Chinchaysuyu and two from Antisuyu. Under them was the Tokoyrikoq who was an inspector who reported directly to the Sapa Inka. The Provincial governors or toqrikoq were at the bottom of the Incan Government per se, but there were also positions outside of the direct "chain of command" in the Incan government.

 

The yanakuna were a slight cut above the working class and served the nobility directly. At the very bottom of the governmental structure were the kurakakuna. These were often conquered nobilty who were offered more than an Incan commoner. They performed military and judicial functions rather than those directly pertaining to the nobility. One could be a yana (a single yanakuna) and a kuraka (a single kurakakuna) at the same time. The Inca, despite all of their other advancements lacked a separate judiciary. Their legal system instead relied on the aforementioned inspector, reporting directly to the Sapa Inka and his assistants. An individual could only be convicted by those of higher rank. Only the toqrikoq, apu, and Sapa Inka could issue the death sentence. The Incan governmental system was strong and led the most powerful Pre-Columbian empire until they were conquered by the Spanish in 1533. 

Government