Conquest Of The Americas - Mister Dans Home Page

CURACAS
At the local level Andean society was fundamentally kin-based
and typically organized under a hereditary ruler called a
curaca.
The Incas folded this pre-existing system into their imperial
control.
The hereditary curaca class became a provincial nobility
responsible for administering the empire at the local level.
The privileges enjoyed by the curacas included exemption from
taxation, a paid salary, assigned servants based on the
number of subjects ruled, and the right to be carried in a
hammock or litter.
They could also be rewarded for outstanding service with
secondary wives, lands, animals, fine cloth, and gold or
silver objects.