The World of Courtesans c5.25

c5.25

Devraj Chanana while discussing the meaning of some of these terms, says for instance that if a dispute arose in an oligarchy for the hand of a beautiful girl, the elders asked her to become a *ganika* so as to make her accessible to all (*sabbesamvoharika*). The oligarchy paid her some money to establish herself in the profession. She received a stipulated fee from the clients who visited her. Salavati of Rajagriha was elected a *ganik-thana* and she was counted among the important citizens. The *ganika* had an important position in the king's court. She was also called *vannadasi* or *nagarashobhani*. In some texts, however, *nagarashobhani* stands for a common harlot, while in other instances she is equated with a *ganika*. *Ganikas* abandoned their male children, but brought up their daughters with great care in the hope that in due course they would take to their own profession. Such women employed a large number of slaves.