In the context of ancient Indian political science, particularly as described in works such as the Arthashastra or Rajyashastra, a mandala represents an essential territorial unit within a king's domain or kingdom. This concept of mandala serves as a foundational principle for understanding the organization and administration of territories in ancient India.
A mandala typically comprises four deshas, with each desha
further consisting of 100 villages. This hierarchical structure helps delineate
the extent and administrative divisions of the king's realm. Essentially, the
mandala system provides a framework for governance and resource management,
facilitating the efficient administration of the kingdom.
It's worth noting that interpretations of the mandala
concept may vary across different texts and scholarly interpretations. Some
works may present the mandala as a subdivision of the desha, reversing the
hierarchical relationship described above. Nonetheless, the fundamental idea of
the mandala as a territorial unit remains consistent, underscoring its
significance in ancient Indian political thought and administration.