Nagarvadhu

{{Short description|Courtesan in ancient India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Redirect|Nagaravadhu|the 2001 film|Nagaravadhu (film)}}File:Amrapali_greets_Buddha_Roundel_36_buddha_ivory_tusk.jpg greets Buddha", ivory carving, National Museum, New Delhi. Amrapali was a celebrated nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of the republic of Vaishali in ancient India.]]

Nagarvadhu (also Nagaravadhu or Nagar Vadhu; Devanagari: नगरवधू; {{Lit|bride of the city}}) 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.[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001224/spectrum/main1.htm 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 courtesan; people could watch her dance and sing.{{cite web|url=http://www.phys.uni-sofia.bg/~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage.html|title=In human history, how did marriage evolve, and the subjugation of women? |accessdate=2014-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311235716/http://www.phys.uni-sofia.bg/~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage.html|archive-date=2018-03-11|url-status=live|website=Sophia University|location=Bulgaria}} 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.