Question

Kalidasa is believed to have lived during the reign of which Gupta emperor?

• A. Samudragupta
• B. Chandragupta I
• C. Chandragupta II
• D. Skandagupta

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Chandragupta II

Kalidasa was a renowned Sanskrit playwright from the 4th-5th century CE, believed to have served as a courtier under Chandragupta II. His works are deeply influenced by the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas. Among his notable plays are Mālavikāgnimitram (The Story of Mālavikā and Agnimitra) and Vikramorvasiyam (The Story of Vikrama and Urvashi). He also composed epic poems like Raghuvamsa (The Dynasty of Raghu) and Kumārasambhava (The Birth of Kumara, or Subrahmanya), as well as Khandakavyas (minor poems). However, his most famous and celebrated work remains Abhijñāna Śākuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala).