What forms did the mita take?

Answer 1

The mita system, originally established by the Inca Empire, took several forms, primarily as a labor tax requiring indigenous people to provide labor for public projects, such as mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Under Spanish colonial rule, it was adapted to exploit indigenous labor for mines, particularly in Potosí, where workers would endure harsh conditions and long hours. Additionally, the mita could also involve rotating labor, where communities would send a portion of their population to work for a specified period. This system had profound social and economic implications, often leading to the exploitation and decline of indigenous populations.