The World of Courtesans c7.38

c7.38

Unlike the *ganika*, who in lieu of salary and certain other considerations surrendered her income to the state, the *rupajiva* escaped only with certain taxes. The state realized from her a general tax amounting to twice her fee for one night. In case of financial stringency however, actors and *rupajivas* were charged a super-tax amounting to half of their salaries *Rupajivas* in this context were perhaps mistresses, as the word *vetana* is not *bhoga* or fees, but salary or wages.