MANDALA
Ø Mandala is a Sanskrit word that means circle.
Ø The mandala is a model for describing the patterns of diffuse political power in early Southeast Asian history.
Ø The concept of a mandala counteracts natural tendency to look for the unified political power of later history, the power of large kingdoms and nation states.
Ø The term draws a comparison with the mandala of the Hindu and Buddhist worldview; the comparison emphasises the radiation of power from each power center, as well as the non-physical basis of the system.
Ø A regular tribute of various valuable goods and slaves, and miniature trees of gold and silver.
Ø The emphasis on personal relationships was one of the defining characteristics of the mandala system.
Ø The tributary ruler was subordinate to the overlord ruler, rather than to the overlord state in the abstract.
Ø A strong ruler could attract new tributaries, and would have strong relationships over his existing tributaries.
Ø A weaker ruler would find it harder to attract and maintain these relationships.
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