The World of Courtesans c12.74

c12.74

In addition to describing the usual features of a courtesan's life, the story of Narmadasundari lays stress on two important points. Firstly, prostitution was a recognized profession, approved by the state which itself received from prostitutes about twenty-five to thirty-three per cent of their income in the form of taxes Secondly, the post of the chief courtesan was an elective one and the *panchayat* at the behest of the king conducted the election.