The World of Courtesans c3: Preface
The World of Courtesans c3
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Preface
c3.1
THE institution of courtesans in ancient India in its social setting has not yet received as much attention from scholars as it deserves. Courtesans in ancient India did not merely serve the baser needs of society but were also a symbol of culture and *ars amoris*. Around them moved interesting characters such as rich merchants, bankers and the vitas (rakes). In this way a courtesan became an important part of the Indian society. So far as literature is concerned, courtesans, in spite of their perfidies, were considered an urban institution which gave an impetus to arts and the life of luxury. Special officers were appointed by the state to look after their welfare. Courtesans were not only invited by the king, high officers of the state, and rich men for dancing, music, and dramatic performances, but they also accompanied their lovers to pleasure parties, gambling houses, and drinking booths. Such convivial parties were known as *goshthis*.
c3.2
The institution of courtesans is a distinguished feature of developed urban society and, therefore, in Vedic and post-Vedic literature though the courtesans are mentioned casually, we hardly know much about their life and accomplishments. In Buddhist literature, however, we are face to face with the highly developed institution of courtesans and there are many stories in the *Jatakas* which throw light on their artistic achievements and the modes they employed in enticing their lovers. In Jain literature as well, courtesans have received attention and their achievements have been noted. We are also informed about certain features of *goshthis*, their organization, the qualifications of their participants and the important role played in *goshthis* and gatherings by courtesans. In the Mauryan period, however, the organization of courtesans became highly complex and the state devised a set of rules which governed their conduct. As a matter of fact in this period they became an important source of revenue to the state.
c3.3
However, the best account of courtesans is obtained in the *Kamasutra* of Vatsyayana which goes into great details in drawing a very correct picture of the institution of courtesans, the clients who visited them, the low characters who either helped the courtesans and their clients and hangers on, their lovers, periodic festivals in which they participated, their acts of piety and their virtues and vices.
c3.4
In the Gupta period, which is rightly regarded as the golden age of Indian culture, courtesans received great attention. From the dramatic literature of the period we get living pictures of their quarters, the luxury in which they lived, the clients who visited them, their attainments in various arts, the regions of the country and outside from where they came, and the patronage which they received from the state and the people.
c3.5
In mediaeval India the institution of courtesans continued, but in common with other social institutions the institution of courtesans was definitely on the decline. In the vignettes of courtesans which we get from mediaeval literature we find that they came more for money than for arts and the low characters visiting them were reduced to mere pimps and abject flatterers.