Bartolina Sisa Vargas (c. 1750 – 5 September 1782) was an Aymaran woman and indigenous heroine[1] who led numerous revolts against the Spanish rule in Charcas, then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru and present-day Bolivia.

[citation needed] In 1780 an indigenous insurrection of mostly Aymara and Quechua peoples took place against the colonial rulers of the Viceroyalty of Peru, led by Túpac Amaru II.

[citation needed] On 13 March 1781 Sisa and Túpac Katari establish a siege around the city of La Paz, then capital of Charcas and seat of the colonial Real Audiencia with a force of some 20,000 men, later to be joined by other 80,000.

During this time, Sisa organised military camps around all the mountain passes that led to the city and acted as main command of the indigenous forces.

[citation needed] Katari and Sisa set up court in El Alto and their army maintained the siege for 184 days, from March to June and from August to October.