[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) › c5.25 # The World of Courtesans c5.25 The World of Courtesans c5.25 - **Language:** English ### [c5.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.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. - [Previous: c5.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.24) - [Next: c5.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.26) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.25) · Pramāṇa