[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The World of Courtesans](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973) › c4.48 # The World of Courtesans c4.48 The World of Courtesans c4.48 - **Language:** English ### [c4.48](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.48) \*Narada\*, XVIII, 10 expresses a more sympathetic attitude towards prostitutes. Their ornaments, being the tools of their profession, could not be confiscated. Since a prostitute's rights were protected, she was also expected to act honourably towards her clients. \*Narada\*, 18 states that if a public woman after receiving her fees, refused to grant favours to her client, she was liable to pay thrice the amount she had received (\*Yaj.\* II. 292; \*Narada\*, 18; \*Matsya\*, 227, 144-45). According to the \*Agni Purana\*, 227, 44-45, in addition to the above mentioned damages, she was forced to pay a fine to the royal treasury as well. If, however, a dispute arose between courtesans and their lovers it was settled by joint parleys between the head courtesan and the lovers. Since concubinage was a recognized social institution, the \*Smritis\* provided for the maintenance of mistresses and concubines. If the property of a dead patron was escheated to the king, the state was expected to provide for the maintenance of concubines, slaves and for the performance of the \*shraddhas\* of the deceased. This rule held good only in the case of \*avaruddha\* (mistresses). - [Previous: c4.47](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.47) - [Next: c4.49](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.49) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4) ## Linked texts (4) - [Yājñavalkyasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.yajnavalkya.2.292) — Yājñavalkya, Sanskrit - [Agnipurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.agni) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Matsyapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.matsya) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Nāradasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.narada) — Nārada, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.48](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.48) · Pramāṇa