[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) › c7.8 # The World of Courtesans c7.8 The World of Courtesans c7.8 - **Language:** English ### [c7.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.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. - [Previous: c7.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.7) - [Next: c7.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.9) - [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.c7.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.8) · Pramāṇa