#anthapuram

वसंतकल्याणी "She who is Auspicious as the Spring"

Rajakumari Vasanthakalyani is the eldest daughter of Maharaja Chitra Varma and Mahishi Rajarajeshwari. Being the eldest princess of the Empire, she is well-versed in administration, scientific disciplines, poetry, arts and religious texts. Her name was chosen by her paternal grandmother who loved the spring season. The tradition of the Imperial family was that the eldest child, most specifically the son, of the Emperor and the Empress would rule over the Empire. But as the Empress has not given birth to a prince, Vasanthakalyani was crowned the princess from the age of 17. But most of the rulers of the kingdoms are against a women being the sole ruler. She now has taken the challenge of proving them wrong.

" Please don't worry about me, Father

It is past the time that they see a woman in power.

A ruler's strength comes from their citizens but

राजराजेश्वरी "She who is the Goddess to the King of Kings"

Mahadevi Rajarajeshwari is the chief wife of Maharaja Chitra Varma and the Empress of the Empire. She is the sister of the King of Dwijawanthi. She is the mother of Rajakumari Vasanthakalyani and Rajakumari Vegavahini. Rajakumara Rama Varma is also her son. She got married to Maharaja Chitra Varma, who was the crown prince back then. Rajarajeshwari prefers to spend time by cooking delicacies that are a fusion of different regional varieties. She also is an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga.

"So, Brother you are telling me that you married me off to the King,

is not because I loved him but I was a mere pawn in your game?

Well, since it was your actions that made me the Empress,

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महत्तरिका Mahattarika - The Lady of the Bedchamber

A middle-aged woman who manages the dealings of her lady, her belongings, and her attendants.

आलिजन Alijana - The Lady’s Female Friends

The group of female companions of the royal lady. The companions of the queens and princesses are usually from noble families and have been together with her since childhood. They accompany and entertain her. They live with their lady in the Anthapuram.

प्रसाधिका Prasadhika - The Lady's Maid

The female attendant who is employed to dress, adorn and look after her mistress. She is the primary female attendant and each lady has one. She is skilled in the art of dressing, make-up, hairdressing, and adornment.

गन्धकारिका Gandhakarika - The Perfumer

A female attendant who is employed to prepare different kinds of perfumes for her mistress and her companions.

सैरन्ध्री Sairandhri - The Maid-Servants

The secondary maids who are employed to wait upon a royal lady. They take care of her robes, ornaments, food, and other necessities. 

असिक्नी Asikni - Young Maid-Servants

The young girls who are employed to attend on and entertain a royal lady. These girls are usually the daughters of other palace maids. When they reach adolescence, they are employed in other tasks.

यामचेटी Yamcheti - The Female Guards

The female servants who employed as guards to protect the lady. They are skilled in martial arts and weaponry.

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अनुपमा "She who is incomparable"

Kumari Anupama is the daughter of a concubine of Maharaja Chitra Varma who was from one of the southern kingdoms . Her garland-making skills and talent in perfumery has made her well-known in the Anthapuram, which is mostly dominated by royal-born wives, princesses and other royal ladies. Nevertheless, she doesn't engage much with other ladies and tries to hone her skills. Her skill have been praised by many, including the King, his family and head perfumer.

" Flowers show love and are the symbol of love themselves,

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शिल्पकारिणी Shilpakarini - Crafts-woman

Women who are conversant with various arts and skilled in different crafts, branches of the art of perfume-making, are skilled in different modes of painting, know all about the comfort of beds, seats and vehicles.

नाटकीया Naatakiya - Actress

Women who have physical beauty, feminine charm, patience, and who possess soft, sweet and charming voice, and varying notes in her throat, and who are experts in the representation of passion, and feeling, are skilled in playing musical instruments, have a knowledge of notes, rhythm, and are associated with the master of the dramatic art, and skilled in acting.

नर्तकी Narthaki - Dancer

Women who have beautiful limbs, are clever, courteous, always bold, free from indolence, inured to hard work, capable of various arts and crafts, skilled in dancing and songs, who excel by their beauty, youthfulness, brilliance and other qualities.

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महिषी Mahishi - Chief Queen

The wife who has been consecrated on her head, is of high birth and character, possessed of accomplishments; advanced in experience, is always engaged in propitiatory rites for the good of the royal husband.

Addressed as - Mahadevi “Great Lady”

राणी Rani - Junior Queens

The wives who have all the respected qualities except that they are denied proper consecration, and who are proud and of royal descent, are pure and always brilliantly dressed .

Addressed as - Devi “Lady”

स्वामिनी  Swamini - High-born Wives

The wives who are the daughters of generals, or ministers or of other employees when they (i.e. their daughters) are elevated by the king through bestowal of affection and honour, and become his favourite due to good manners and physical charm, and attain importance through their own merits.

Addressed as - Swamini “Madam”

स्थायिनी Sthayini - Ordinary Wives

The wives who have physical charm and young age, is violent in sexual acts, full of amorous gestures and movements, expert in the enjoyment of love, always alert and ready to act, free from indolence and cruelty, and capable of showing honour to person according to their status.

Addressed as - Bhattini “Mistress”

भोगिनी Bhogini  - Concubines

The ladies who are honest and clear in their dealings, exalted, always brilliant with their scents and garlands, demand no honour, and are sober, humble, and forbearing.

Addressed as - Bhattini “Mistress”

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महत्तरी Mahattari - Matron

The women who, for the protection of the entire harem and for the king’s prosperity, take pleasure in singing hymns to gods, and in performing auspicious ceremonies.

प्रतिहारी  Pratihari - Usher

The women who lay before the king any business related to various affairs of the state such as treaty, war and the likes of the public.

कुमारी Kumari - Maiden

The girls who have no experience of love’s enjoyment and are modest, and bashful. These are the daughters of the royal ladies, maids and other women in the anthapuram.

स्थविरा Sthavira - Old Dames

The women who know the manners  of departed kings, and have been honoured by them, and who know the character of all the members of the harem.

Addressed as - Ambha “Mother”

आयुक्तिका Aayukthika - Female Overseers

The women who are in charge of  weapons, and fruits, roots and grains, who examine the food cooked for the king, and are in charge of scents, ornaments and garlands and clothes he is to use.

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अनुचारिका Anucharika - Maids in constant attendance

Women who are employed as maids who do not leave the king under any circumstance.

चामरग्राहिणी Chamaragrahini  - The maid who carries a chowry and waves it over the head of a king.

ताम्बूलकरङ्कवाहिनी Thambulakarankavahini - The maid who carries the king’s betel-box.

परिचारिका Paricharika - Maids of special work

Women who are employed for looking after the umbrella, bed, and seat as well as for fanning and massaging him, and applying scent to his body and assisting him in his toilet, and his wearing of ornaments, and garlands.

सञ्चारिका Sancharika - Maids in constant movement

Women who are employed to always roam about in different parts of the palace, gardens, temples to strike the bell to indicate time.

प्रेषणचारिका Preshanacharika - Maids for running errands

Women who are employed by the king in missions connected with his current affairs, and are often to be sent in some such work.

विचारिका Vicharika - Maids for tending the recreational areas

Women who are employed to look after the various divisions of the palace like the royal garden, granary and the flower house.

पादचारिका Padacharika - Maids in attendance when travelling

Women who are employed by the king to act as foot women when he travels in the royal palanquin.

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