Kalidasa is the most celebrated Indian Classical Sanskrit writer, playwright, and poet. A majority of historians and scholars believe that most of his work was created between the 4th and the 5th century CE. His poetry and plays are primarily based on ancient Indian texts and scriptures including the Vedas, the Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana. There are many theories pertaining to his ancestry, where he lived, and how he became such a talented writer.
Arthashastra
Arthashastra is an Indian discourse on statecraft, politics, war strategies, economics, and tactics for social governance, composed by Chanakya (Kautilya), who was the prime minister of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. The word ‘Arthashatra’ means the science of material gain.
Kautilya
Also known as Chanakya, Kautilya was the prime minister and the chief advisor of the Mauryan Empire during the rule of Chandragupta Maurya (the founder of the Mauryan Empire). Chanakya is known to be a tactful war strategist, economist, philosopher, and teacher.
Mauryan Empire
Around 320 BCE Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire which at one time covered almost all parts of the Indian subcontinent including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Balochistan. With the help of his chief minister, Chakanya (Kautilya), Chandragupta formed a strong army. He laid down the foundation of the Mauryan Empire by overthrowing the Nandas in Magadha (Southern Bihar).
Ashoka
Ashoka (268-232 BCE) was the son of Bindusara and the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya (the founder of the Mauryan Dynasty). During the peak of his reign, Ashoka ruled almost all parts of the current-day Indian subcontinent except for some parts of Southern India.