Indian Towns and Lands on the Borders of Colotlán during the 18th Century

Abstract

This article explores the social problems experienced by the Indian towns located on the borders of San Luis Colotlan during the 18th century. This analysis assumes that, as the century wore on, land conflicts between Indian towns and haciendas and ranches became more frequent. However, beyond suggesting that this was merely gradual pressure due to demographic growth or the arrival of new settlers in a territory primarily inhabited by indigenous people, the problems of Indian towns were exacerbated by the new political measures implemented by the Novohispanic authorities designed to abolish the special privileges granted to the natives in their capacity as frontier soldiers in the late 16th century.