Nagarvadhu

 ( Ancient Indian Women ) 

Nagarvadhu (also Nagaravadhu or Nagar Vadhu; Devanagari: नगरवधू; ) was a tradition followed in some parts of ancient India.

Women competed to win the title of a nagarvadhu, and there was no taboo against the practice. Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, 24 Dec 2000 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 family courtesan; people could watch her dance and sing. 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, Raja, princes and Samanta.

• Amrapali, state courtesan and Buddhist disciple, described in Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen
• Vasantasena, a character in the classic Sanskrit story of Mricchakatika, written in the 2nd century BC by Śūdraka
• Madhavi, a character in the classic Tamil story of Silappatikaram, written by Ilango Adigal

• Devadasi
• Deuki
• Ca trù, a similar profession in Vietnam
• Qiyan, a similar profession in Arab
• Geisha, a similar profession in Japan
• Shirabyōshi, a similar profession in Japan
• Kisaeng, a similar profession in Korea
• Gaṇikā, a similar profession in India
• Tawaif, a similar profession in India
• Gējì, a similar profession in China