The Mauryan Empire was a geographically extensive and long-lasting empire in ancient India, ruled by the Maurya dynasty from 321 to 185 BC. The empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who defeated the Nanda Dynasty in 321 BCE, and was succeeded by his son Ashoka the Great, who ruled from 268 to 232 BCE. The Mauryan Empire was one of the largest empires in the world during its time, stretching from the Bay of Bengal in the east to the Arabian Sea in the west, and from the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south.