José Gabriel Túpac Amaru (March 19, 1742 – May 18, 1781) — known as Túpac Amaru II — was a... José Gabriel Túpac Amaru (March 19, 1742 – May 18, 1781) — known as Túpac Amaru II — was a leader of an indigenous uprising in 1780 against the Spanish in Peru. Although unsuccessful, he later became a mythical figure in the Peruvian struggle for independence and indigenous rights movement and an inspiration to a myriad of causes in Peru.