[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) › c7.26 # The World of Courtesans c7.26 The World of Courtesans c7.26 - **Language:** English ### [c7.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.26) The \*Arthashastra\* has also prescribed a set of rules governing the conduct and relationship of \*ganikas\* among themselves For defamation the fine was 24 \*panas\*, for assault 48 \*panas\*, for cutting ears 51-3/4 \*panas\*, and for forced confinement, abduction and disfigurement 1,000 \*panas\*. According to J. J Meyer the above mentioned acts refer to criminal injuries to the character and person of a \*ganika\*, while others take them to mean acts carried out by a \*ganika\* Sternbach, however, is right when he holds that defamation, assault, cutting of ears etc., refer not to \*ganikas\* but to their clients. Apparently the rules were framed to ensure the safety of the people who visited the courtesans The law, however, was not one-sided. While ensuring the safety of the clients who visited the courtesans, Kautilya prescribed a set of rules which also gave the courtesans a greater amount of protection against the misdeeds of their paramours. Offences committed against a ganika were very severely punished because they flagrantly violated the king's interests. If a ganika was put under forced confinement, the perpetrator of the crime was fined 1,000 \*panas\*. However, in case she was a willing party, the fine amounted to her monthly pay in addition to a fine of 1-1/4 \*panas\*. If she was forcibly abducted, the offender had to pay a fine of 1,000 \*panas\*. The amount of the fine for violating a ganika has not been mentioned, but for violating a rupajiva the fine was 12 \*panas\*. In the case of the violation of a sexually immature daughter of a ganika, the highest amercement was inflicted on the offender; but if she was sexually mature and willing the fine was reduced. - [Previous: c7.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.25) - [Next: c7.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.27) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7) ## Linked texts (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.26) · Pramāṇa