King Harsha, who reigned over the kingdom of Kanauj from 606 to 647 CE, composed two Sanskrit plays about the mythical figures of King Udayana his queen, Vasava datta, and two of his co-wives. These plays abound in mistaken identities, both political and erotic. Each play refers simultaneously to itself and to the other.

King Harsha, who reigned over the kingdom of Kanauj from 606 to 647 CE, composed two Sanskrit plays about the mythical figures of King Udayana his queen, Vasava datta, and two of his co-wives. The plays abound in mistaken identities, both political and erotic. The characters masquerade as one another and, occasionally, as themselves and each play refers simultaneously to itself and to the other.