Dushyant or Dushyanta (दुष्यन्त or दुष्‍यंत) was a great king in classical Indian literature and mythology. He is the husband of Shakuntala and the father of the Emperor Bharatha. He appears in the Mahabarata and in Kalidasa's play The Recognition of Sakuntala (c. 300 CE).

According to the Mahābhārata, Dushyanta is the son of Ilina and Rathantara. Dushyanta is said to have ruled, either directly or through his governors, from Gandhara (present day Kandahar in Afghanistan) to the Vindhyas and beyond, and from Sindhu, (present day Pakistan) to Vanga, (present day Bangladesh).^{[citation needed]}

Dushyanta had by his wife Sakuntala an intelligent son named Bharata who became king. Bharata gave his name to the race of which he was the founder.

The story of Dushyanta's encounter, marriage, separation and reunion with his queen, Shakuntala, has been immortalized in the Mahabharata and in The Recognition of Sakuntala by the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.

Dushyanta meets Shakuntala, who is a daughter of Vishvamitra and Menaka, while on an excursion from his kingdom. Depending on the source,^{[citation needed]} Dushyanta is either the crown prince, or he is waiting to win back his kingdom from an enemy. Either way, he sees Shakuntala in an ashram [also known as hermitage] this ashram is situated at Kota, Rajasthan in India named as Kanswa a nationally protected monument by government of india (hermitage) of Rishi Vasudeva Kanva and falls in love. He and Shakuntala have a gandharva marriage there. Having to leave after some time, Dushyanta gives Shakuntala a royal ring as a sign of their love, promising her that he will come to her.

Dushyant Kumar (Hindi: दुष्यन्त कुमार), (September 27, 1931 – December 31, 1975) was a poet of modern Hindi-Urdu literature. In India, he is generally recognized as one of the foremost Hindi-Urdu poet during the 20th century. He was also a Dramatist, Litterateur and Gazal writer.

Dushyant Kumar was born at Navada Village of Bijnor District in Uttar Pradesh. He did M.A. with Hindi from Allahabad.

His literary career started at Allahabad. He wrote many dramas, poems, Gazals, short stories. He actively participated in Seminars at Parimal Academy of Literature. He also worked with Naye Patte, an important Indian Newsletter of that time, Akashwani and Rajbhasha Section in Madhya Pradesh. His poetry touches directly to heart. Many new poets are inspired of him like dr. Kumar vishwas, Pushpendra Naagar.

Dushyant Kumar died at the age of 42 on December 31, 1975, but in this short lifespan, he acquired a great accomplishment in the field of Hindi and Urdu Literature. Only because of him, Ghazal gained popularity. Now also his Shers and Ghazals are conned in Literary & Political Programmes.