Where Seduction Met Sophistication

This is a tale of the colorful and unique culture of pre-colonial India. Music and dancing had been a part of Indian culture from the beginning of time. In Hinduism music has religious status. Almost all the kings and Nawabs of India were patrons of musicians, singers, and dancers. A very exotic and different institution was created during the Mughal era that revolved around the families of singing and dancing girls called ‘Tawaif’.

Tawaifs were entertainers who resembled the Geishas of Japan in many ways. Most of them were Muslims but there were Hindu Tawaifs too. Their homes were called Kotha (upper floor). During the Mughal era, these Tawaifs were part of the court too, so most of them had their mansions right behind the Mughal Palaces. These areas were called Bazaar-e-Husn, or the market of beauty. They were expert in music and dance along with many other forms of arts including the art of seduction but they were not prostitutes.

The girls of these families started their education at the age of 6 or 7. It was compulsory for Muslim girls to complete their Quran education and learn Urdu poetry and prose as well as possible. They had to learn the etiquette and manners too. After becoming of age they would be taught the art of seduction as well as singing and dancing.

These Tawaifs were very independent and bold women and were very wealthy. Every Kotha had a ‘Madam’ who was called Naika. It was her responsibility to train her girls and provide them every luxury that they could think of.

In a common household of that day India, women were not allowed to show their faces to any man other than their father, brother, or husband. In that kind of society, these Twaifs used to challenge men in a poetry competition, smoke Hookah with them, or accompany them on a hunt.

Tawaifs did not sell their bodies for money yet they had so many wealthy men in love with them. This gave them the freedom to pick and choose. After choosing a man of their liking, that man would become responsible for their expenses for life. In some cases, Tawaifs got married to kings and Nawabs too.

Due to their command on language, high society etiquette, and manners, wealthy families used to send their sons to learn these traits from the Tawaifs. Many big names of the royal and elite families used to be frequent visitors of the singing and dancing held every evening on a Kotha. These visitors gave power to Tawaifs in the courts of kings and Nawabs.

These performances were held in a big hall that had tall pillars and floor covered with expensive carpets. Around the carpet, there used to be cushions for the guests. Alcohol was not allowed in these gatherings. Guests would be presented betel leaves coated with opium and tobacco. They also used to smoke Hookah.

The Tawaifs used to wear expensive clothes that would enhance their physical beauty and heavy jewelry. The guests would try to win a Tawaif’s heart by giving her jewels and expensive gifts. Many types of classical Indian dances were performed by Tawaifs. The most famous forms of dances that evolved in Kothas, include Kathak and Mujra. During these performances, the Tawaif would show her art of seduction too while dancing and singing.

When the British colonized India, they were mostly single men or had left their wives back home. Away from the conservative society of England when they saw these skillful and enchanting bold women, they started going to Kothas and spending their money on Tawaifs. But when the British missionaries saw this, they advised the governors to allow the English wives to join their husbands or they will perish in the hands of Tawaifs.

The buttoned-up English wives found it very shameful that their husbands were attending the local dancing houses. They did not understand the Tawaif culture or the history behind the institution. They simply labeled them prostitutes and home-wreckers. With the efforts of these English women, British Raj decided to confiscate the properties of Tawaifs. They were shocked to see that these women were in the highest tax bracket.

Another fact that the British discovered which also became the main cause of the downfall of Tawaifs, was their role in the mutiny of 1857. Many famous Tawaifs were found guilty of offering their Kothas for the meetings of rebels. This enraged the Raj more than anything and the British government sent these Twaifs to their garrisons for the sexual entertainment of the troops after seizing their wealth.

The Tawaifs who used to be an authority on classic dancing, music, poetry, and etiquette became common prostitutes. The areas that had the grand mansions of Tawaifs are now just like any other red light area. No more dancing or singing takes place there and they are nothing more than brothels. Here is a video that depicts an evening on the Kotha of a Tawaif where she can be seen showing her singing, dancing, and seduction skills.