Tzeltal Rebellion of 1712

Quick Facts: Who was Tzeltal Rebellion of 1712?

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Tzeltal Rebellion of 1712

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A major multiethnic Mayan revolt against Spanish authority in Chiapas, 1712.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In 1712, a number of Tzeltal Maya communities in the Soconusco region of Chiapas rose in rebellion, in what is known as the Tzeltal Rebellion or Tzendal Rebellion. It was a multiethnic revolt, with 32 towns of Tzeltal (14), Tzotzil (15), and Chol (3) Indigenous peoples participating in it. The Indigenous renounced the authority of the Catholic hierarchy and established a priesthood of Indigenous men. There was widespread military mobilization of Indigenous men, who called themselves “soldiers of the Virgin.” Scholars have debated the origins of the conflict, but the causes are seen as increased labor and taxation demands when Indigenous populations were low, and when tribute in kind obligations were mandated to be in cash, forcing the Indigenous into the Spanish economy. The rebellion took on an explicitly religious and anti-Spanish character, which "did not demand reform and justice within the regime.

Career & Major Achievements

Instead, they challenged Spanish sovereignty, the clergy, and religious legitimation." Local populations believed that the Virgin Mary had miraculously appeared to a young, married, Indigenous woman, María de la Candelaria, outside the community of San Juan Cancuc. According to María, the Virgin Mary had asked that a chapel be built in her honor. The local priest, Father Simón García Lara doubted the miracle and had the Indigenous who believed in it whipped. Since the people of Cancuc wished the cult to be recognized and had not found that approval by the local priest, they sought out the bishop and sent a delegation to Ciudad Real. The bishop imprisoned most of them, but some escaped to tell of the mistreatment.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

An Indigenous man, Sebastián Gómez de la Gloria, came to Cancuc from nearby Chenalhó and declared the solution to the problem of non-recognition of the Virgin’s cult by the Catholic hierarchy was to create an Indigenous religious hierarchy. The various Indigenous towns raised military units, which were organized along a similar hierarchy to Spanish colonial units. They targeted the local Spanish population, wiping out Spanish troops, killing Spanish children, and carrying off the Spanish women as concubines. The Spanish women were forced to dress in Indigenous attire and perform manual labor, such as grinding corn. Following the defeat of the revolt in 1713, these Spanish women were brought before the Mexican Inquisition and questioned intensively.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1712: 1712 Milestone — In 1712, a number of Tzeltal Maya communities in the Soconusco region of Chiapas rose in rebellion, in what is known as the Tzeltal Rebellion or Tzendal Rebellion.
2. 1713: 1713 Milestone — Following the defeat of the revolt in 1713, these Spanish women were brought before the Mexican Inquisition and questioned intensively.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Tzeltal Rebellion of 1712

True or False: “The rebellion was solely focused on achieving internal reforms within the existing Spanish colonial structure.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The revolt explicitly challenged Spanish sovereignty and the authority of the clergy, rather than merely demanding reform within the established regime.

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