The World of Courtesans c12.3

c12.3

In keeping with the growth in prostitution, the number of synonyms for prostitutes also grew. Hemachandra in the *Abhidhanachintamani*, III. 532-34 gives the following names for a prostitute. The exact differences in the status of each type is not defined. They are *sadharanastri* (a strumpet), *ganika* (a courtesan), *panapanyangana* (a woman who could be enjoyed for a *pana*), *bhujishya* (a mistress), *lanjika rupajiva* (one who lived on her beauty, a demimonde), *varavadhu*, *varamukhya* (a chief courtesan), *kuttani* (a bawd) and *sambhali* (a prostitute). The quarters in which the prostitutes lived was the *Veshyashraya*, *pura* and *vesha*. The officer in their charge was known as *Veshyacharya*.