Several ancient and medieval books state that Kalidasa was a court poet of a

king named Vikramaditya (literally, "Sun of Valour"). A legendary king named

Vikramditya is said to have ruled from Ujjain around 1st century BCE. A section
of scholars believe that this legendary Vikramaditya is not a historical figure at
all. There are other kings who ruled from Ujjain and adopted the title
Vikramaditya, the most notable ones being Chandragupta II (r. 380 CE 415 CE)
and Yasodharman (6th century CE).[8]

The most popular theory is that Kalidasa flourished during the reign of
Chandragupta II, and therefore lived around 4th-5th century CE. Several Western
scholars have supported this theory, since the days of William Jones and A. B.
Keith.[8] Many Indian scholars, such as Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi and Ram Gupta,
also place Kalidasa in this period.[9][10] According to this theory, his career
might have extended to the reign of Kumaragupta I (r. 414 455 CE), and
possibly, to that of Skandagupta (r. 455 467 CE).[11][12]

The earliest paleographical evidence of Kalidasa is found in a Sanskrit inscription

dated c. 473 CE, found at Mandsaur's Sun temple.[13] His name, along with that
of the poet Bharavi, is also mentioned in a stone inscription dated 634 C.E. found
at Aihole, located in present-day Karnataka.[14]