The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana

Originally written in Sanskrit, the Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian text composed by Vatsyayana, a Hindu philosopher who historians believe lived sometime between the 1st and 6th century C.E. Within the body of Sanskrit literature, it is considered to be the foundational text on the topic of human sexuality and sexual behavior. The work covers practical advice on sexual technique and intercourse positions, along with guidance on relationships between men and women which was appropriate for the Hindu culture at that time. The most widely known English translation of the Kama Sutra has been credited to Sir Richard Francis Burton who was an English writer and explorer living in the 1800s. However, Burton did not actually translate the work. The translation was made by Bhagvanlal Indraji, an Indian archaeologist, who worked under the direction of Burton's colleague, Foster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot. Burton added commentary and footnotes to the translation and was responsible for its publication.