Gaṇikā

Gaṇikā is the Sanskrit term for female courtesans in ancient India, with earliest reference in the Vedic period. In the Kamasutra, gaṇikās are dubbed "courtesans de luxe," distinguishing them from other courtesans such as veśyās. According to Indian historian Moti Chandra, ganika occupied the highest place in the hierarchy of courtesans. This suggests that gaṇikās were not merely prostitutes, similar to the difference between Japanese courtesans oiran and geisha.

According to the Kamasutra, to become recognized as a gaṇikā, a woman had to master the sixty-four arts of Kalā, which include musical, performing, and visual arts; writing; architecture; clairvoyance; and chemistry. After earning the title of ganika, they were revered as the most virtuous, beautiful, and luxurious of all courtesans, on par with even the princesses of early India. They would use these arts to entertain rulers, princes, and other wealthy patrons on religious and social occasions. Nonetheless, they were the pride and joy of the Kingdom, honored by the King and nobles, praised by the public and every courtesan strived to be a ganika.

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