The World of Courtesans c7.8

c7.8

*Ganika* in the *Arthashastra* is, however, not the wealthy courtesan of Buddhist literature, leading a glamorous life and charging exorbitant fees from her clients, but a government servant whose rights and responsibilities are clearly defined by the state. For ordinary prostitutes, Kautilya uses the term *rupajiva* or a woman who lived on the proceeds of her beauty The *ganika* of the *Arthashastra* received a monthly salary from the king's treasury in lieu of the services she rendered to the state. She worked under the direction of the Superintendent of Prostitutes (*veshyadhyaksha*), and if she had a daughter (*ganikaduhitri*, *kumari*), she was also destined to join government service.