Vishakhadatta was a poet and playwright of ancient Indian and lived during the
Gupta period. The actual period of his life is not known, but he is believed to have lived during the time of King Chandragupta-II, around the fifth century AD.
Vishakhadutta wrote two famous historical plays. They are ‘Mudra-Rakshasa’ and ‘Devi Chandra Gupta’. Mudra-Rakshasa, which is still quite popular, is the story of King Chandragupta Maurya getting the throne of Magadha (set around 305 BC). Devi Chandra Gupta is a historical play dealing with the early life of King Chandragupta II.
Alexander the Great finds a mention in the work of Vishakhadutta.
