The Courtesans of Ancient India | History & Heeramandi

Enjoying the popular TV show, Heeramandi? Then you know that courtesans have played an important role in Indian history, but are often overlooked and misunderstood. This is a brief introduction into courtesan culture in ancient and medieval India -- and the influence that courtesans had. I've also attempted to dive into some related subjects, like birth control methodologies for courtesans and their clients.

Enjoy!

[micahistory]

It's weird how courtesans were simultaneously respected and looked down upon

[Resterinpeace]

6:48 this guy was a pretty badass military strategist, Scholar and a University (Taskshshila) teacher... He trained courtesans to be spies and assassins..

[abewewew]

Until recent times, that is 19th century, parts of India where Indian powers like the Marathas, Mughals and their successors still existed, courtesans enjoyed rich lifestyles. This video does not cover the era of British colonialism and it’s impact on courtesans. The Victorian idea of morality severely misjudged the idea of a respectable courtesan not bound to a single man. A woman came to be respected only by her association with the kind of man she was attached to. Successive legislations passed over the 19th and 20th century eventually managed to relegate the once-skilled and respected courtesan to a lowly prostitute who was scorned upon by successive generations of Indians as well who forgot how courtesans were treated in older times

[otomackena]

Das/Dasi are not slaves they are servants. Everyone just translate das/dasi as slave when it is servant. A das/dasi gets paid and are not bonded they can leave if they want to.

[apoorvsl]

I'm not sure how you're funding this. It must be expensive to make all that animation. Keep up the good work my friend. I always wait for your videos.

[mylesjude]

Hey man, don't want to go on a ramble, but your content is some of the best I view when it comes to History. Really cool you explore a wide range of topics and implementing different styles with your last few videos 😍

[poulomi__hari]

A little more info about Amrapali (the courtesan who became a follower of Buddha).

She was in an affair with the neighbouring king Bimbisara. But because her beauty was world known, Bimbisara's son, Ajatshatru, unaware of his father's affair, also became infatuated with her. He was so obsessed with her that he set her town on fire only to force her to come to his capital- where unbeknownst to her- he had seized his father's throne, put him into jail, and had made him starve.

Amrapali became a hermit because she was fed up of all the wrong attention. She was devastated of the tragedy her beauty had caused.

[achal]

Ancient India never ceases to amaze....

[iDirectionerPotterx]

Courtesans in ancient India were the true embodiment of femininity, intelligence and beauty. Their main function was to entertain kings, nobles, businessmen and foreign delegates; not necessarily through s*x (especially the high ended ones). Men loved spending time with them because their own wives were not educated enough or intellectually stimulated them as much as the courtesans did. I'd also like to mention that it is a very well known fact that kings would send their daughters to learn ethics and be educated in the divine art of femininity, dance, music and other things so that gives us a hint that s*x wasn't a primary duty - if at all.
Things changed when the British took over India. It was during the Victorian era, that british classified women into two categories - respectable housewives or wh*res. When they came across Indian courtesans who could win over men by their body language, seduction and energy, a concept they had been unfamiliar with, the courtesans were immediately branded as wh*res. With time their position in society deteriorated and today, their dwelling place which was once a respectable place where princesses were taught, now stand as unsanitary, poor brothels where the walls echo with stories of horror.

[twosquare]

The way you dig out these topics is marvelous. Not picking the obvious but the rare. You are a gem 💎

[Jumpoable]

Yaasss queen. Fabulous content. Seems like ancient courtesans in South Asia were just like their counterparts in East & Southeast Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malay, etc). Really appreciate your work, sir. Keep educating us.

[adityadamanjodi]

truly some of the best history content on YouTube . I have learned more history form your YouTube channel than my 10 years of schooling . true women empowerment in ancient India Southern Indian kingdoms . thank you so much can't truly amazing your videos . this is needed to be taught in our schools . such amazing history is never taught in our schools. thank you once again for bringing them to light ❤❤❤

[rameshparihar]

It always amazes me the sheer amount of hardwork you would've gone through to collect indepth details for your content.YOUR NARRATION and Animation is on point. Absolutely love all your content.. Keep up the good work ..
( I also highly doubt that you're a INDIAN because you know much more than we INDIANS DO)

[walterwhite]

Fun-fact: The "Pompeii Lakshmi" actually shows a Satavahana courtesan and not Lakshmi herself. This is what you can conclude after looking at scenes from amravati stupa that shows Satavahana court rooms. :)


Commenting before watching, was very excited. I was feeling that a video was going to be dropped anytime soon. <3


Edit: A very detailed video on the life of Chandragupta and Chanakya trying to form India's first great empire, and what was life like back then? What did they see? How did they live? How was the atmosphere?

[vrajupadhyay]

As an Indian it's really hard to find western channels with such deep knowledge here 99 percent content was true only thing that u were wrong was when you said slaves, it's called Dasi, or workers but bonded to same family and they get earnings and they do have freedom, someone working in your house as a maid can't be called slave.. Hope you find it interesting 😄🇮🇳🇮🇳

[korakys]

I find social and economic histories more interesting than battles and conquests these days. Good video man, I would only criticise the music a bit.

[indie]

Wow, , this was the context missing from the movie, Bajirou mastani. This really helps me understand the sentiments of some of the characters. Thank you!!

[sapnarawal]

So impressive that a non indian made a truthful video about ancient india. Otherwise Westerners have a tendency of misinterpreting (often in a negative way), everything that came out of india. But this video showed the truth that even thousands of years ago the state cared for these people and respected and made them an integral part of the administrative system. Also they were wealthy and masters of their own life in most cases. THANK YOU for showing the truth.

[mylesjude]

Second comment: Overall great video, awesome to see you combatants improve your craft 😀 As a sidenote, if you want to hear any recommendations, I think it'd be cool to see you do a video about India's role in influencing world fashion with its textiles like muslin cotton, Cashmere, pajamas, etc👌

[EdwardPlantagenet]

Well developed courtesans system means high level of disposable income & high level of prosperity,
So much so that Nagar-sevika (one who serve city) became one of the most rich Women of state.