Mandala theory
Also called: Rajamandala · Topic: The Mauryan Empire · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Mandala theory, also called Rajamandala ("circle of kings"), is the Arthashastra's plan for dealing with other kingdoms. It pictures the king who wants to expand (the vijigishu, "one who seeks victory") at the centre of rings of states. The kingdom right next door is treated as a natural enemy, because the two share a border and compete. The enemy's neighbour, on the far side, is treated as a natural friend, because it has the same rival. This theory shows that ancient Indian thinkers had a clear, practical view of foreign policy based on self-interest.
Example
A Mauryan king facing a hostile kingdom on his border would, under this theory, make an alliance with the kingdom on that enemy's other side. The enemy would then be trapped between two hostile states. This matches mitra (allies), one of the seven limbs of the state in the Arthashastra.
Don't confuse with
- Saptanga: the Arthashastra's seven limbs of a single state (king, ministers, territory, forts, treasury, army, allies). Mandala theory is about how a state deals with other states.
Related concepts
- Arthashastra
- Saptanga theory
- Kautilya's welfare principle
- Mantriparishad
- Samaharta and Sannidhata
- Sitadhyaksha