The Spanish Inquisition was a powerful institution established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Its main goal was to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, especially after the Reconquista, which ended Muslim rule in Spain. The Inquisition targeted converted Jews and Muslims, known as conversos, who were suspected of secretly practicing their former religions. The Inquisition used various methods, including trials and torture, to extract confessions and punish heresy. It became infamous for its harsh practices and led to the persecution of thousands. Over time, the Spanish Inquisition became a symbol of religious intolerance and oppression in history.