[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) › c7.57 # The World of Courtesans c7.57 The World of Courtesans c7.57 - **Language:** English ### [c7.57](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.57) There is little doubt that these luxurious bars of the Mauryan period must have been the happy hunting-ground of prostitutes, but unfortunately the matter-of-fact, administrative tone of the \*Arthashastra\* eschews all poetical details. The only information about the presence of prostitutes in the bars is of a laconic nature. The wine merchant or barmen (in addition to carrying out their duties) kept a watch on the activities of their customers from their half-closed rooms. These customers, both local and foreign, pretending to be gentlemen, lay down in their rooms with their very beautiful (\*peshatarupabhih\*) mistresses (\*dasibhih\*) - [Previous: c7.56](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.56) - [Next: c8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.1) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.57](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.57) · Pramāṇa