Abstract of the 48th Session of AIOC 2016

Section- Epics and Puranas

Social Condition of Courtesans as Reflected in

Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra and its Modern
Perspective
Somsukla Boral
M.A in Sanskrit
Deptt. of Sanskrit
University of Calcutta

The harlotry has been prevailing in our society since the

ancient time. But it is quite difficult to determine its
blooming-era. This profession though diversified in later ages,
but has never been obsolete from society. In past the
practitioners of this profession were designated according to
their qualities, but now classified nothing but only a mere
practice of livelihood. In Arthaśāstra, an entire chapter
named Gaṇikādhyakṣa, rounded on this custom where
Kauṭilya showed how tactfully this was regulated by the
state’s administration without considering it as a social-evil.
It is also notable that the superintendent of courtesan should
appoint courtesans according to their qualities to entertain
the king. In case of loss of beauty, superintendent had to
appoint courtesans as mother to young courtesans. Moreover the
superintendent was responsible about the lessons of Courtesan's
art, i.e. dancing, singing, painting, recitation etc. to be given
to the courtesans and other female slaves from the king’s
exchequer. The state took responsibilities of harlots’ lives,
properties and offspring also. The Gaṇikādhyakṣa was
advised to keep full record of courtesan’s payments which
was another source of state’s revenue. Kauṭilya also
suggested strict penalties against both guilty courtesans and
her vicious visitors. Though Kauṭilya depicted a well-
managed state of this custom, but at present it is regrettable
that the state is not concerned with any loss or gain in day-
to-day life of these ill-fated harlots at all. Presently,
administration should promote systematic arrangements for
them through legislative and economic measures to secure
them socially like it was in ancient time.

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