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The 'Kaq'chik'el' (in modern orthography; formerly also spelled 'Cakchiquel') are one of the indigenous Maya peoples of the midwestern highlands in Guatemala. Their capital was Iximché, and like the K'iche', they were governed by 4 lords: Tzotzil, Xahil, Tucuché and Acajal, who were responsible for the administrative, military and religious affairs. Iximché, was conquered by the Spaniards in 1527 AD. The Kakchikel, reckoned their history in the book Annals of the Cakchiquels, also known as Memorial de Sololá. The language is spoken today by 400,000 people. They subsist agriculturally, and their culture reflects a fusion of Maya and Spanish influences. Kaqchikel is also the name of their indigenous language.
Historically, the Kaqchikel were one of several Postclassic highland Maya states conquered by Pedro de Alvarado. At that time, they were the enemies of the neighbouring K'iche' (Quiché) states, and helped the Spaniards to conquer them, The first colonial capitol of Guatemala, Tecpán Goahtemalan, was founded there in 1535 and had to be abandoned in 1527, and moved to Ciudad Vieja, near Antigua Guatemala, due to the constant attacks from Iximché.