The World of Courtesans c13.21

c13.21

Women attendants and courtesans from the palace played an important part in the court ceremonials. The queens were brought there in silk-draped litters attended by the umbrella-bearers, *chauri*-bearers and the mace-bearers who kept asking people to make the passage clear for them The queens naturally wore the choicest jewellery, inlaid with precious stones, and silk and fine cotton garments. Flower garlands and scents enhanced their charm. Their bodies were lightly smeared with sandal and saffron paste, and floral patterns on cheeks and breasts were drawn with musk paste. Their foreheads were marked with the *tilakas* of different kinds and in many colours.