Prince Amaru, Duke of Qusqu

Prince Amaru, Duke of Qusqu
Official portrait of Prince Amaru, Duke of Qusqu 1749 AN.
Who's Who of Nouvelle Alexandrie
Full Name	Amaru Sumaq Yupanqui Puma Inti-Carrillo y Ayreon-Kalirion
Titles & Offices	Duke of Qusqu Marquis of Fersten Knight of the Holy Lakes
Birth Date	4.X.1692 AN
Birth Place	Parap, Wechua Nation
Parents	King Sinchi Roca I Queen Abigail
Spouse	Isabel Paucar (m. 1720 AN)
Children	Prince Amaru (b. 1723 AN) Princess Rosaura (b. 1725 AN)
Family	House of Inti-Carrillo
Education	Royal Academy of Parap Royal University of Parap Royal Military Academy of Nouvelle Alexandrie
Alma Mater	Royal University of Parap
Occupation	Rancher Conservationist Entrepreneur
Military Service	Federal Army (Reserve)
Military Rank	Colonel (Honorary)
Political Affiliation	None
Organizations	Wechua Agricultural Heritage Foundation Royal Patronage System National Qullqa System Sumaq Aycha S.A.
Known For	Agricultural conservation Wechua food traditions Ranch management
Religion	Faith of Inti
Languages	Wechua Alexandrian Martino Istvanistani
Awards & Honors	Order of the Sun and Eagle Knight of the Holy Lakes Royal Medal for Agricultural Service
Residence	Qusqu, Wechua Nation
National Origin	Nouvelle Alexandrie
Citizenship(s)	Nouvelle Alexandrie

Prince Amaru, Duke of Qusqu (Wechua: Amaru Qhapaq, Qusqu Duki; Alexandrian: Prince Amaru, Duc de Qusqu; born 4.X.1692 AN) is a New Alexandrian prince and member of the House of Inti-Carrillo. He is the second child and eldest son of King Sinchi Roca I and Queen Abigail Ayreon-Kalirion, and the younger brother of King Sinchi Roca II. He stands in the line of succession to the New Alexandrian throne after the King's children and their descendants.

Prince Amaru has dedicated much of his life to the preservation and promotion of traditional Wechua agricultural practices, livestock husbandry, and culinary heritage. He operates Hacienda Sumaq Allpa, a working ranch in the highlands of the Wechua Nation, and founded Sumaq Aycha S.A., a company specializing in traditional Wechua meats and spices. A trained butcher himself, the Prince is known for his hands-on approach to ranching and his close relationships with farming and pastoral communities across the Federation.

Throughout his public life, Prince Amaru has maintained strict political neutrality, declining to align with any party or faction. His advocacy work focuses on agricultural conservation, biodiversity preservation, and support for rural communities, causes he pursues through educational outreach, charitable patronage, and personal example rather than political engagement.

Early life and education

Prince Amaru Sumaq Yupanqui Puma was born on 4.X.1692 AN at the Palace of Chinchero, the second child and first son of Crown Prince Titu (later King Sinchi Roca I) and Princess Abigail Ayreon-Kalirion. His birth came three years after that of his elder brother, Crown Prince Uturuncu, and his arrival was celebrated with traditional Wechua ceremonies at the Holy Shrine of Inti.

The young prince's name, Amaru, derives from the Wechua word for serpent, a creature associated with water, fertility, and the underworld in traditional Wechua cosmology. His additional names honor both Wechua tradition (Sumaq meaning "beautiful" or "excellent," Yupanqui meaning "accountable" or "one who tells," and Puma referencing the sacred mountain lion) and his dual Wechua-Shirerithian heritage.

Prince Amaru spent his childhood between the Palace of Chinchero and various royal residences across the Federation. Unlike his elder brother, who was groomed from an early age for potential succession, Amaru enjoyed greater freedom to pursue his own interests. He developed an early fascination with the natural world, spending extended periods at rural estates where he observed traditional farming and herding practices. Court records indicate that by age eight, he had learned to identify over two hundred varieties of native potatoes and could recite their traditional uses.

His formal education began at the Royal Academy of Parap, where he studied alongside children from both noble and common families. Teachers noted his particular aptitude for the natural sciences and his ease in forming friendships across social boundaries. He excelled in Wechua language and literature, earning distinction in his final examinations.

In 1710 AN, Prince Amaru enrolled at the Royal University of Parap, where he pursued studies in agricultural sciences and animal husbandry. His university years coincided with a period of renewed interest in traditional Wechua crops and farming methods, and the Prince became an active participant in academic efforts to document and preserve this knowledge. He completed his degree in 1714 AN with a thesis on sustainable grazing practices in highland ecosystems.

Following his university education, Prince Amaru attended the Royal Military Academy of Nouvelle Alexandrie at Fort Honoré for officer training, a tradition expected of male members of the royal family. He completed the abbreviated course designed for reserve officers in 1716 AN and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Federal Army Reserve. He has maintained his reserve commission throughout his life, rising to the honorary rank of Colonel, though he has never sought active command.

Investiture as Duke of Qusqu

Prince Amaru at his investiture as Duke of Qusqu, 1713 AN.

On 15.VII.1713 AN, King Manco Cápac I invested Prince Amaru as Duke of Qusqu and Marquis of Fersten (Valencia) in a ceremony at the Holy Shrine of Inti. The Duchy of Qusqu, named for the ancient Wechua capital, is one of the most prestigious titles in the New Alexandrian peerage, carrying with it significant lands in the central highlands of the Wechua Nation.

The investiture ceremony combined Wechua and Alexandrian traditions. The King placed a ceremonial llautu (royal headband) upon the Prince's brow while reciting the ancient Wechua formula of territorial bestowal. The Prince then knelt to receive the ducal coronet and letters patent in the Alexandrian manner. Witnesses reported that the young Duke, then twenty years old, spoke his oath of service in both Wechua and Alexandrian, promising to protect the lands and people entrusted to his care.

The Duchy provided Prince Amaru with both income and responsibility. The ducal estates included farmland, pastures, and several villages whose inhabitants looked to the Duke for patronage and protection. From the outset, Amaru took an active interest in the management of these lands, regularly visiting tenant farmers and consulting with local agricultural experts on improvements to cultivation and husbandry practices.

Marriage and family

Isabel Paucar

In 1717 AN, Prince Amaru met Isabel Paucar at a reception hosted by the Royal University of Parap to honor distinguished alumni. Isabel, then eighteen years old, had recently completed her own studies at the university with highest honors in education and child development.

Isabel was born on 22.III.1699 AN in Parap to Bernardo Paucar, a professor of agricultural economics at the Royal University of Parap, and Mama Qori Challwa, a schoolteacher who had founded a network of rural schools in underserved highland communities. The Paucar family, while not noble, was respected for its contributions to Wechua education and civic life. Isabel's paternal grandfather had served as headmaster of a prominent secondary school, while her maternal grandmother was remembered for organizing literacy programs during the Great Restoration.

At university, Isabel distinguished herself through her work developing educational materials in the Wechua language for rural primary schools. Her thesis on early childhood literacy in bilingual communities received commendation from the Royal Academy of the Wechua Language and led to a teaching position at a demonstration school attached to the university.

The Prince and Isabel corresponded for several months following their initial meeting, exchanging letters on subjects ranging from agricultural policy to Wechua poetry. Their shared interest in rural communities and traditional culture provided common ground, and their relationship deepened over the course of 1718 AN and 1719 AN. Prince Amaru later described Isabel as possessing "a mind as sharp as any scholar's and a heart devoted entirely to the welfare of others."

The Royal House Council approved the match in early 1720 AN, recognizing Isabel's character and accomplishments despite her commoner status. King Sinchi Roca I, who had himself married a foreign princess of relatively modest standing within her own dynasty, reportedly expressed satisfaction that his son had chosen a wife of genuine merit rather than mere pedigree.

Wedding

Prince Amaru and Isabel Paucar married on 8.IV.1720 AN in a ceremony at the Holy Shrine of Inti in Parap. The wedding followed traditional Wechua rites, with offerings to Pachamama and the blessing of the High Priest of Inti. The couple exchanged vows emphasizing ayni (reciprocity) and their commitment to serve the community together.

A state reception followed at the Palace of Chinchero, attended by members of the royal family, government officials, and representatives from allied nations. King Sinchi Roca I toasted the couple and formally welcomed Isabel into the House of Inti-Carrillo. Isabel received the style of Her Royal Highness and the courtesy title of Duchess of Qusqu upon her marriage.

The wedding was notable for its relative simplicity compared to other royal ceremonies of the period. At the couple's request, funds that might have been spent on elaborate festivities were instead directed to educational programs in rural communities. This decision set the tone for the couple's approach to their public role.

Children

The couple has two children:

• Prince Amaru (born 12.VI.1723 AN), who bears his father's name and will inherit the Duchy of Qusqu. The younger Amaru has followed his father's example in pursuing agricultural interests and currently assists in managing the family's ranching operations.
• Princess Rosaura (born 3.IX.1725 AN), who has devoted herself to educational philanthropy in the tradition of her mother and maternal grandmother. She serves on the board of several charitable foundations supporting rural schools.

The family maintains its primary residence at the ducal seat in Qusqu, with additional time spent at Hacienda Sumaq Allpa and the Palace of Chinchero for official functions.

Family tree

• Prince Amaru (1692 AN) m. (1720 AN) Isabel Paucar (1699 AN)
  • Prince Amaru II (1723 AN)
  • Princess Rosaura (1725 AN)

Ranching and business

Hacienda Sumaq Allpa

In 1722 AN, Prince Amaru purchased a tract of highland pastureland approximately forty kilometers from Qusqu and established Hacienda Sumaq Allpa ("Beautiful Earth Ranch"). The property, initially comprising 3,200 hectares of grassland and scrub at elevations between 3,400 and 4,100 meters, has expanded over the decades to approximately 5,800 hectares.

The hacienda operates as a working ranch specializing in the raising of llamas, alpacas, and a hardy breed of highland cattle developed through selective breeding of traditional Wechua stock. Prince Amaru has been directly involved in all aspects of the operation from its founding, learning traditional herding techniques from experienced llama michiq (llama herders) and modern animal husbandry methods from university-trained veterinarians.

The Prince is a trained and practicing butcher, having apprenticed under master butchers in Qusqu during his twenties. He maintains a processing facility at the hacienda where animals are slaughtered and dressed according to both traditional Wechua methods and modern food safety standards. Staff members report that the Duke regularly participates in slaughtering and butchering work, particularly during the busy season following the annual culling of herds.

Hacienda Sumaq Allpa employs approximately 180 permanent workers and an additional 60 to 80 seasonal laborers during peak periods. The Prince has established worker housing, a primary school, and a health clinic on the property. Wages and working conditions exceed legal minimums, and longtime employees receive profit-sharing bonuses and assistance with their children's education.

Sumaq Aycha S.A.

In 1728 AN, Prince Amaru formalized his commercial activities by founding Sumaq Aycha S.A. ("Excellent Meat Company"), a private company specializing in traditional Wechua meat products and spices. The company processes and distributes products from Hacienda Sumaq Allpa and purchases additional livestock from a network of small-scale ranchers throughout the Wechua Nation.

Products include fresh and cured llama and alpaca meat, charki (traditional dried meat), chalona (salted dried mutton), and various prepared dishes based on traditional recipes. The company also produces and packages aji peppers, herbs, and spice blends used in Wechua cuisine. Distribution extends throughout Nouvelle Alexandrie, with smaller export operations to Natopia and Constancia.

The company operates under a cooperative model that provides fair prices to supplying ranchers and shares profits with workers. Prince Amaru serves as chairman of the board but delegates day-to-day management to professional staff. The company employs approximately 340 people across its processing facilities, distribution centers, and administrative offices.

Sumaq Aycha S.A. has faced scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest between the Prince's commercial activities and his public role. Prince Amaru has maintained strict separation between his business interests and his advocacy work, declining to use his royal position to seek preferential treatment for the company and recusing himself from any royal patronage decisions that might benefit his commercial ventures.

Conservation and advocacy

Prince Amaru has devoted significant effort to the preservation of traditional Wechua agricultural practices, native crop varieties, and sustainable land management techniques. His work in this area operates through several channels: direct patronage of conservation organizations, educational outreach, and demonstration through his own ranching practices.

Wechua Agricultural Heritage Foundation

In 1730 AN, Prince Amaru established the Wechua Agricultural Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving, and promoting traditional Wechua farming and herding knowledge. The Foundation operates seed banks preserving over 1,400 varieties of native potatoes, 280 varieties of quinoa, and numerous other traditional crops. It also maintains breeding programs for heritage livestock breeds and supports research into sustainable highland agriculture.

The Foundation provides grants to small-scale farmers implementing traditional practices, funds academic research on Wechua agricultural history, and operates educational programs for young people interested in farming careers. Its annual conference on highland agriculture draws participants from across the Federation and neighboring nations.

National Qullqa System

Prince Amaru serves as Royal Patron of the National Qullqa System, the Federation's strategic grain reserve network that draws on the ancient Wechua tradition of qullqa (storehouses). In this capacity, he advocates for adequate funding of the reserves and promotes public understanding of food security issues. He has made numerous visits to qullqa facilities throughout the Federation, meeting with administrators and workers.

Rural advocacy

The Prince maintains close relationships with farming, ranching, and pastoral communities across Nouvelle Alexandrie. He regularly visits agricultural regions, attending local festivals, consulting with farmers on challenges they face, and learning about regional variations in traditional practices. These visits are conducted without political fanfare, and the Prince consistently declines opportunities to use them for partisan purposes.

His advocacy focuses on practical issues affecting rural communities: infrastructure investment, access to credit and markets, protection of traditional land rights, and support for agricultural education. He communicates with government officials on these matters through private channels rather than public pronouncements, maintaining his commitment to political neutrality while still working to advance rural interests.

Prince Amaru has been particularly active in efforts to protect traditional grazing lands from encroachment and to ensure that highland communities retain access to the high-altitude pastures (puna) essential to their way of life. He has testified before committees of the Cortes Federales on these issues, always in a non-partisan capacity as an expert witness rather than a political advocate.

Public role and character

Prince Amaru occupies a distinctive position within the House of Inti-Carrillo. As the King's brother, he holds significant ceremonial standing, yet his distance from the direct line of succession has allowed him to carve out a more independent public role than would be possible for the monarch or heir apparent.

Those who know him describe a man of quiet dignity, more comfortable in working clothes among farmers than in formal dress at state functions. He fulfills his ceremonial obligations conscientiously but without evident enthusiasm, reserving his energy for the agricultural and conservation work he considers his true vocation. Staff members at Hacienda Sumaq Allpa report that he insists on being addressed simply as "Don Amaru" rather than by his royal titles when working on the ranch.

His marriage to a commoner and his choice to engage in commercial activity have occasionally drawn criticism from traditionalists who believe a prince should maintain greater distance from ordinary pursuits. Prince Amaru has responded to such criticism, when he has responded at all, by noting that the Wechua royal tradition has always emphasized connection between rulers and the land.

Relationship with the King

Prince Amaru and King Sinchi Roca II have maintained a close and affectionate relationship throughout their lives. The three-year age gap between the brothers allowed them to share childhood experiences while developing distinct personalities. Where Uturuncu (as the King was known before his accession) was groomed for leadership and public responsibility, Amaru was free to pursue his interests in agriculture and the natural world. The difference in their paths strengthened rather than strained their bond, as neither competed for the same role.

The brothers communicate regularly, both through official channels and informal private correspondence. King Sinchi Roca II has described his brother as "my closest friend and most trusted counselor on matters of the land and its people." Prince Amaru, for his part, has spoken of the King's "steady hand and generous heart" in private gatherings. Royal household staff report that when schedules permit, the brothers meet for private dinners at the Palace of Chinchero or at Hacienda Sumaq Allpa, where the King is said to enjoy escaping the formality of court life.

During the Spring Crisis of 1739, Prince Amaru was among the first members of the royal family to publicly affirm his loyalty to the King and the constitutional order. He traveled to Cárdenas to stand alongside his brother during the military loyalty ceremony at Federation Park, a gesture the King later acknowledged with evident emotion. The crisis, if anything, deepened the bond between the brothers.

The King has been a consistent supporter of his brother's conservation and agricultural work, personally attending the inauguration of the Wechua Agricultural Heritage Foundation in 1730 AN and making regular visits to Hacienda Sumaq Allpa with his family. Products from Sumaq Aycha S.A. are reportedly served at royal functions, though Prince Amaru has insisted that no preferential treatment be given to the company.

Titles, styles, and honors

Titles and styles

• 4.X.1692 AN - 15.VII.1713 AN: His Royal Highness Prince Amaru of Nouvelle Alexandrie
• 15.VII.1713 AN - present: His Royal Highness Prince Amaru, Duke of Qusqu, Marquis of Fersten

Honors

New Alexandrian honors

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun and Eagle (1713 AN)
• Royal Medal for Agricultural Service (1740 AN)

Foreign honors

• Knight of the Holy Lakes (Hurmu, 1692 AN)

See also

• House of Inti-Carrillo
• Sinchi Roca I
• Sinchi Roca II
• Monarchy of Nouvelle Alexandrie
• Nobility of Nouvelle Alexandrie
• Wechua people
• Faith of Inti
• National Qullqa System
• Sumaq Aycha S.A.