Nagarvadhu

"Amrapali greets Buddha", ivory carving, National Museum, New Delhi. Amrapali was a celebrated nagaravadhu (royal courtesan) of the republic of Vaishali in ancient India.

Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu (Devanagari: नगरवधू) ("bride of the city") was a tradition followed in some parts of Vedic India.

Women competed to win the title of a Nagarvadhu, and there was no taboo against the practice.[1] The most beautiful woman, and most talented in various dance forms, was chosen as the Nagarvadhu.

A Nagarvadhu was respected, and she was a royal courtesan; people could watch her dance and sing.[2] A Nagarvadhu's price for a single night's dance was very high, and she was only within the reach of the very rich – the emperors, kings, princes and lords.

  1. ^ Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, 24 Dec 2000
  2. ^ "In human history, how did marriage evolve, and the subjugation of women?". Sophia University. Bulgaria. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2014.