[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924) › c29.109 # The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c29.109 The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c29.109 - **Language:** English ### [c29.109](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c29.109) It is probable that the popular legend of Rāja Bikram of Ujjain, the supposed founder of the Vikrama era dating from 58 B. C., has been coloured by indistinct memories of the glories of Chandra-gupta II Vikramāditya, who certainly conquered Ujjain towards the close of the fourth century of the Christian era. Tradition associates nine gems of Sanskrit literature with Rāja Bikram, the most resplendent of the nine being Kālidāsa, who is admitted by all critics to be the prince of Sanskrit poets and dramatists. In my judgement it is now established that Kālidāsa lived and wrote in the fifth century, his literary activity extending over a long period, probably not less than thirty years. Although it is difficult to fix the dates of the great poet's career with precision, it appears to be probable that he began to write either late in the reign of Chandra-gupta II or early in the reign of Kumāragupta I. The traditional association of his name with Rāja Bikram of Ujjain is thus justified by sober criticism.¹ - [Previous: c29.108](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c29.108) - [Next: c29.110](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c29.110) - [Up: c29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c29) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c29.109](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c29.109) · Pramāṇa