The World of Courtesans c7.21

c7.21

The *Smriti* literature also gives us some information about the position of mistresses who, according to the Yaj. ii 290, could be divided into two classes, *avaruddha* and *bhujishya*. The former was kept in the house and forbidden to have intercourse with others, while the latter was not kept inside the house but elsewhere The *Arthashastra* has also discussed the legal position of courtesans, their rights, obligations, inheritance etc. A *ganika* did not enjoy full property rights since she was not a free agent. The state allowed her daughter to succeed her but the son became an actor (*kushilava*). A ganika could regain her freedom after paying back redemption money which was fixed at 24,000 *panas*, but when we consider that her salary was 1,000 to 3,000 *panas* per annum the price for redemption seems to have been very high