The World of Courtesans c7.31

c7.31

The clients who visited the *ganikas* were not always models of good behaviour. They had amassed wealth and they wanted to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Disguised as rich merchants many impostors gained access to the establishments of *ganikas* and tried to cheat them of their fees or even went to the extent of stealing their ornaments For such impostors the *Arthashastra* provides adequate punishment. For stealing a *ganika's* money or ornaments and for not paying her stipulated fees, the penalty fixed was eight times the sum involved. If a client agreed to pay the stipulated amount of fees of a *ganika* and after making love to her declined to meet his obligation, he was forced to pay eight times the agreed *bhoga*. But the law ensured the rights and privileges of genuine clients against the waywardness of the *ganikas*. For instance, if after receiving her dues, a *ganika* showed any hatred towards a client, she was forced to pay him twice the amount she had received. The fine rose to eight times the amount of *bhoga* if she declined to sleep with him.