This volume helps us see that from the very first Spanish contacts, the settlement of New Granada differed from that of Mexico and Peru. The background of the Spanish conquistadores along with the nature of the Indian societies they encountered made New Granada unique in many ways. Investigated in detail are the particular patterns followed in establishing an urban society, organizing Indian labor and tribute, and especially in creating class and social relations. Because of the power of local elites in the twenty-four municipalities founded in the first fifty years, New Granada was characterized by a regionalism not found elsewhere.
"The scholarship is superior. An exciting new work."--Jane Rausch, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
