[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) › c8.2 # The World of Courtesans c8.2 The World of Courtesans c8.2 - **Language:** English ### [c8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.2) THE EARLY CENTURIES of the Christian era witnessed an unprecedented economic prosperity for India. In exchange for spices, aromatics, precious and semi-precious stones, silk and muslins of the finest quality and other luxury goods, Roman gold poured into this country. This surplus capital in its turn created an unprecedented internal demand for luxury goods and this is reflected in the art and culture of that period. Naturally, most of this gold came into the possession of the merchant princes who spent their millions in maintaining their splendid establishments, in making religious endowments and spending lavishly on public works. They also spent a part of it in patronizing courtesans who were known for their proficiency in the arts and were a very important factor in contemporary social life. The Kushana sculptures from Mathura and the Satavahana bas-reliefs from Andhra Pradesh perpetuate under the garb of \*Mithuna\* and \*Yakshi\* figures the memory of these licentious beauties. They reveal undreamt of pleasures of the flesh. They depict them inviting and soliciting men or engaged in their toilet or enjoying the pleasures of drinking and dancing, singing and roaming in gardens in the company of their lovers. The courtesans of the time lived in capitals and large commercial centres such as Bharukachchha, Ujjain, Mathura, Kausambi, Varanasi, Pataliputra and Vaisali, where there lived rich merchants who could afford to patronize them. - [Previous: c8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.1) - [Next: c8.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.3) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.2) · Pramāṇa