Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c7.50

c7.50

**Evidence of Kautilya.** The Greek evidence is confimed by Kauṭilya [I. 21]. He states that the king on rising from bed shall be received first by troops of women armed with bows (*strīgaṇairdhanvibhiḥ*), who must have formed his immediate bodyguard, and that female-slaves should bathe and massage the king, make his bed, wash his clothes, and adorn him with garlands [*Snāpakasaṁvāhakāstarakarajaka-mālākārakarma dāsyaḥ kuryuḥ*]. The king, according to Kauṭilya, had a regular staff of public women (*gaṇikā*) in his household in three grades of service for his personal attendance. Of these, the lowest grade of *gaṇikās* was employed to hold the royal umbrella over him and the golden pitcher (*chhatra-bhriṅgāra*); the next grade carried the fan and attended on him seated in the royal pavilion (*vyajana-śibikā*); and the superior grade served him seated on the throne or in the chariot (*pīṭhikā-ratheshu*). The aging ones would be transferred to work in the royal store-house (*koshṭhāgāra*) or in the royal kitchen (*mahānase*) [II. 27]. A *gaṇikā* could also obtain her liberty to lead a different life by payment of a ransom (*nishkraya*) of 24,000 *panas* [*Ib*]. Girls above eight were employed to act and sing before the king (*ashṭavarshāt prabhṛiti rājñaḥ kuśīlava-karma kuryāt*.) [*Ib*]. We may note in this connection the statement of Megasthenes [Frag. XXVII] that "the women who take care of the King's person are brought from their parents."