%D 2018 %T Dbus mtha': Centre and Periphery in the Old Tibetan Empire %! Dbus mtha': Centre and Periphery in the Old Tibetan Empire %X The history of the Old Tibetan empire is strongly related to its policies concerning non-Tibetan groups. Previous research has revealed that the empire introduced several units, such as khrom and khams, in order to rule the various ethnicities and the empire's vast new territories. In addition to these units, this paper aims to focus on a previously unnoticed term used for “ruling”: dbung (/dbus) mtha', “central area and peripheries” which is actually an administrative term relating to the empire's territory. This territorial distinction functioned not only as an administrative division but also as criteria for official ranks and commodity prices. The concept was most probably introduced when the empire acquired the vast Hexi region, following the An Lushan rebellion (755–763). %U https://doi.org/10.13173/centasiaj.61.1.0049 %0 Journal Article %R 10.13173/centasiaj.61.1.0049 %J Central Asiatic Journal %V 61 %N 1