Kalidasa has published 2 novels, 1 non-fiction book, 5 poetry collections, 2 plays and 5 other books, beginning with Meghadūta (1813). The latest is Sakoontala or The Lost Ring (An Indian Drama) (2005).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Kalidasa
Start here
Meghadūta
Kalidasa's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Origin of the Young God (1897)
Non-fiction in order
The Recognition of Śakuntalā (2001)
Poetry in order
Meghadūta (1813)
Raghuvaṃśa (1912)
The Meghadūta of Kālidāsa (1957)
The Seasons (1967)
The Loom of Time (1989)
Plays in order
Malavika and Agnimitra (1868)
Vikramōrvaśīyam (1964)
Other books in order
Shakuntala (1957)
Kumarasambhavam, Canto 3 (1958)
Abhijnana-Sakuntala (1962)
Kālidāsa's Kumārasambhava, Cantos 1-8, Complete (1967)
Uttara Kalamrita (2005)
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All free classics
About Kalidasa
Kālidāsa was a Classical Sanskrit author who is often considered ancient India's greatest poet and playwright. His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy. His surviving works consist of three plays, two epic poems and two shorter poems.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Kalidasa FAQ
- How many books has Kalidasa written?
- Kalidasa has published 2 novels, 1 non-fiction book, 5 poetry collections, 2 plays and 5 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Kalidasa's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Meghadūta.
- What is Kalidasa's latest book?
- Sakoontala or The Lost Ring (An Indian Drama) (2005).
- What is Kalidasa's most famous book?
- Meghadūta (1813) is Kalidasa's most widely read book.
- Can I read Kalidasa's books for free?
- Yes. 4 books by Kalidasa are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Kalidasa
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.