The Spanish Inquisition was a judicial institution established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Its primary aim was to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, particularly targeting converted Jews and Muslims suspected of secretly practicing their former religions. The Inquisition sought to identify heretics and enforce religious conformity. The Inquisition operated through a series of trials, often involving torture and public executions. It played a significant role in the broader context of the Counter-Reformation and contributed to the consolidation of power by the Spanish monarchy. The institution officially ended in 1834.