Mail Runners On the Inca Trail

Friends , while reading the History of the Incas , I came across the wonderous story of their 
mail runners , the 'chasquis' ! Kindly read their story !

THE MAIL RUNNERS - ON THE INCA TRAIL !
          (COURIER SERVICE) 

The Inca Empire during their hey-days, *
Controlled a large Empire of an elongated
shape! 
On the western coast of Latin America, -
All the way from parts of Ecuador and Colombia! 
With parts of Brazil in the east; 
Including Chile and Bolivia in the south and
south-east; 
While the Pacific Ocean washed their long western
beach! 
Where the great Andes range like a raised spine, -
appeared out of reach! 
Yet on the central verge of this Andes’ range, 
Was located their capital Cuzco with its grand
defence ! 

The Incas had no horses or wheels to facilitate
communication, 
But had an efficient courier service within their 
nation! 
They relied entirely on their ‘chasquis’, - those 
valiant mail runners, 
For sending messages within the Inca Empire! 
These runners ran on that historic ‘Inca Trail’, 
Crossing gorges(pogos) and mountain tracks, -
before night fell! 
And rested at ‘tambos’** during their segmented 
race! 
Those Incas had no written scripts those days, 
And used knots in ropes as coded messages! 
These ‘quipus’ at relay stations changed hands, 
While their runners took them to the remotes corners
of Inca land! 
Their suspension bridges with ropes indigenously
made, 
Formed their roadways as their Empire spread! 
And those bridges were maintained every year, 
By villagers rendering public service to the Inca
Empire! 
Those valiant runners could run in a day, -
A distance of 250 miles , as experts say !
And could put to shame the Marathon runners 
of our day! 

I salute those sturdy Incas for their unique stone
architectures, 
Who honored their Gods and their ancestors! 
Their ‘chasquis’, those valiant mail runners and 
their nimble feet; 
Without horses and wheels the Incas ruled a mighty
Empire complete ! 
                                                    -Raj Nandy

Notes :-
* During the fifteenth century Incas were at height of 
their power! 
**Tambos’= relay stations , for the Mail Runner (chasqui) 
to rest and handover the ‘quipu’ containing coded
messages to the next runner - to follow the Inca Trail! 
Thanks for reading ! - Raj Nandy

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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Date: 12/27/2015 2:43:00 PM
AWESOME
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Date: 9/2/2010 9:22:00 PM
Wow, 250 miles on foot in one day. How fast they must have run -- at least 25 miles an hour? It is an amazing account of a people whose culture surpassed ours in many ways. Apparently that included their athletic skill and their willingness to provide service to their country. And can you imagine how much effort was invested in maintaining those suspension bridges! Fascinating write, Raj. You sure do know your Inca history and know how to stir interest for readers. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 9/2/2010 9:15:00 AM
I am glad that you wrote this one...I enjoyed the work and learning about this bit of history..Our ancestors were very intelligent and had more than we know..Gifted pen that has penned these lines..Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..I appreciate you taking the time to do so..Sara
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