The World of Courtesans c3.1

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*.