Dedication of the author to the Peruvian Nation. «Hail, oh Peruvian Nation! I greet you with all the truth of my love and my reason». (1848) by Juan Basilio CorteganaNational Library of Peru
The Historia del Perú by Juan Bautista Cortegana, written between 1848 and 1864, consists of thirteen manuscript volumes.
It recounts the history of Peru by collecting the information provided by chroniclers from the 16th century to the events of Peru's independence, in which it was a witness and protagonist.
The importance and transcendence of the History of Peru lies in its condition as a pioneering work within Peruvian historiography, constituting the first general history of Peru.
In one of the most important quotes, the manuscript says: "Hail, oh Peruvian Nation! I salute you with all the truths of my love and my reason."
From the origin of the Incas to the arrival of the Spanish
The Historia del Perú begins with pre-Hispanic times. It uses the chronicles of Blas Valera, the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Francisco López de Gómara, Joseph de Acosta, among others, as a basis.
In the first volumes it shows that the civil and moral character of the ancient Peruvians was very similar to that of their contemporaries.
From the arrival of La Gasca to the rebellion of Túpac Amaru
Some of the most important events at the time of the Conquest and the Viceroyalty are the struggle between the Crown and the first conquerors, the formation and consolidation of the Viceroyalty, the rebellion of Túpac Amaru and the beginning of the Independence process.
"Santa Rosa de Santa María was born on April 20, 1586, and died on August 24, 1617..., Juan Basilio Cortegana, From the collection of the National Library of Peru"
Segundo Reynado de Felipe 5° ( Second Reign of Philip 5th.) Emperor of Peru. This chapter details the viceroyalty of José de Armendáriz, Marquis of Castelfuerte, Juan Basilio Cortegana.
Year of 1813. Chapter II. This chapter details the actions of the government of Viceroy Fernando de Abascal by Juan Basilio CorteganaNational Library of Peru
Last years of the Viceroyalty to the Independence of Peru
In this section, the author deals with the period between 1812-1819 and 1821, from the government of Viceroy Abascal to that of Pezuela; and the process of independence of Peru.
In this last narrative, Cortegana is a witness to the events. For this reason, his voice and his assessments have a greater presence in the text.
Peruvian Army. General headquarters in Quito on May 28, 1822. by Juan Basilio CorteganaNational Library of Peru
From the Protectorate of Saint Martin
In this section, Cortegana deals with the year 1822, a period that includes the governmental decisions of the Protectorate of San Martin and the legislative measures of the first Constituent Congress of the new Republic.
Battle of Junín. 1824, August 6. «The maps of the battles of Junín and Ayacucho are not part of any manuscript, so they do not have a folio number. However, they are referred to by Cortegana in manuscript 12». by Juan Basilio CorteganaNational Library of Peru
Battles of Junín and Ayacucho
This section is dedicated to the year in which independence was consolidated with the victories of Junín and Ayacucho. Each military action is described in detail and the names of many of the combatants are given in order to recognise their role in independence.
The thirteen manuscripts that make up the Historia del Perú by Juan Basilio Cortegana (1801-1871) are a unique and meticulous work that tells the history of Peru from the Inca period to the foundation of the Republic.
A witness and actor in the first decades of the republican experience, Cortegana's historical perspective inscribes the present of writing in a history with a totalising and unifying vocation.
Bibliography
Cortegana, J. B. (2022). Historia del Perú. Carmen McEvoy and Marcel Velázquez, directors. Lima: National Library of Peru, BBVA Peru Foundation.
Lan, J. A. (2022). Tras las pistas de Juan Basilio Cortegana. Algunas consideraciones sobre el manuscrito Historia del Perú. In: Historia del Perú. Carmen McEvoy and Marcel Velázquez, directors. Lima: National Library of Peru, BBVA Peru Foundation, p. 29-52.
Montoya, G. (2022). Basilio Cortegana. La república militarizada y el siglo de las revoluciones. In: Historia del Perú. Carmen McEvoy and Marcel Velázquez, directors. Lima: National Library of Peru, BBVA Peru Foundation, p. 87-114.
Pereyra, N. (2022). Juan Basilio Cortega y la batalla de Ayacucho. In: Historia del Perú. Carmen McEvoy and Marcel Velázquez, directors. Lima: National Library of Peru, BBVA Peru Foundation, p. 53-86.
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