The first intendant of Tarma was Colonel Juan María Gálvez, who took office in 1784, appointed by the viceroy at the proposal of Jorge Escobedo y Alarcón [es] and approved by the king on January 24, 1785.

At the beginning of November 1820, during the Peruvian War of Independence carried out by General José de San Martín, the population of the city of Tarma supported General Juan Antonio Álvarez de Arenales, who was pursuing the royalist troops in their retreat towards the Andes.

The Tarmeños launched the first cry for independence, the most notable residents of the city signing the act that was published the next day.

By Decree of November 24, 1820, José de San Martín granted the Tarmeños the use of a silver shield on the left arm with the inscription "TO THE CONSTANT PATRIOTS OF TARMA.

"[1] On February 12, 1821, the Reglamento Provisional, the first legal document of the Protectorate of Peru, replaced the intendancy with the department of the same name and that of Huaylas.