[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) › c7.21 # The World of Courtesans c7.21 The World of Courtesans c7.21 - **Language:** English ### [c7.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.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 - [Previous: c7.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.20) - [Next: c7.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.22) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7) ## Cites (2) - [Yājñavalkyasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.yajnavalkya.2.290) — Yājñavalkya, Sanskrit - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.21) · Pramāṇa