Chanakya (Kautilya) · Politics

The Seven Limbs and the Circle of Kings

Kautilya&rsquo;s anatomy of the state - the seven <em>prakritis</em> or limbs of sovereignty (king, minister, country, fort, treasury, army, ally) - and his cold geometry of foreign relations, the <em>mandala</em> or &lsquo;circle of kings,&rsquo; in which your neighbour is your enemy and your neighbour&rsquo;s neighbour is your friend.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned the saptanga theory (the seven limbs of the state - swami , amatya , janapada , durga , kosha , danda , mitra ) and the mandala theory of interstate relations (the ring of enemies and allies around a would-be conqueror). Explain both in your own words.

Leads to Niccolò Machiavelli.

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