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Ambapali, the Royal Courtesan of Vaishali

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During my college days, I had an opportunity to read a novel by eminent Hindi writer Acharya Chatursen . The novel entitled Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu was an interesting read. As the name suggests, the novel describes Ambapali , as the Nagarbadhu of Vaisali, hailed as the first republic of the world. A royal courtesan, Ambapali, variously known as Amrapali or Ambapalika, has been accorded a place of high respect in the Buddhist Scriptures. A contemporary of the Buddha , Ambapali was wealthy, highly intelligent and famous far and wide. Her matchless beauty together her youth, talent and intelligence made Amrapali the cynosure and dream of entire Vaishali. While passing through Vaishali , the Buddha accepted her invitation to dine with her. This indicates that the better status of the courtesan in ancient India.  The early life of Ambapali is veiled in obscurity. She was named because she was born at the foot of a mango tree in one of the royal gardens in the Vaishali kingdom. A woman