'Shakuntalam' was written by

Concept: Classical Indian literature is organized around named poet-dramatists, each linked to a specific body of work identifiable by language, period, and theme. Recalling authorship means matching a known title to the poet credited with it in the standard literary record.

Application: 'Shakuntalam' — properly Abhijnanashakuntalam — is one of the most celebrated Sanskrit plays, composed by Kalidas (traditionally placed in the Gupta era). It dramatizes the story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala, an episode adapted from the Mahabharata, and is regarded as Kalidas's masterpiece alongside Meghaduta and Raghuvamsha.

Cross-check: Comparing the other named poets confirms the distinction by value, not by elimination:

• Bhasa: an earlier Sanskrit dramatist credited with different plays such as Svapnavasavadattam, not Shakuntalam.

• Kamban: composed in Tamil, authoring the Kambaramayanam, a different language and a different epic tradition.

• Asvaghosha: a Buddhist poet known for Buddhacharita, a biography of the Buddha unrelated to the Shakuntala story.

Result: the play 'Shakuntalam' was written by Kalidas.