Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c20.s3.56

v2.c20.s3.56

But it is not to be imagined that Paes failed to notice the presence of the public women and the dancing-girls in the capital. He mentions the courtezans on specific occasions. While describing the great Mahānavami festival, which we shall see in detail in connection with other festivals in a subsequent chapter, he writes: "And the king withdraws to the interior of his palace by that gate which I have already mentioned—that which stands between the two buildings that are in the arena (terreyro); the courtezans and bayaderes (i.e., "the dancing-girls of the temple and palace") remain dancing in front of the temple and idol for a long time."²