Ashoka, one of the most famous rulers in ancient Indian history, belonged to the Maurya dynasty. This dynasty was established by Chandragupta Maurya, who overthrew the Nanda dynasty to become the first emperor of the Maurya Empire. Ashoka, who was Chandragupta Maurya`s grandson, inherited the throne and ruled over a vast empire that extended from present-day Afghanistan to Bangladesh.

The Maurya dynasty is known for its strong centralized rule and administrative efficiency. It was during Ashoka`s reign that the Maurya Empire reached its peak. Ashoka is particularly well-known for his conversion to Buddhism after witnessing the carnage of the Kalinga War. He promoted peace, tolerance, and non-violence through his edicts carved on pillars and rocks throughout the empire.

It is important to note that the other options provided in the question do not belong to the same time period or geographical region as Ashoka. The Vardhana dynasty, often associated with Harsha Vardhana, ruled much later in the 6th and 7th centuries CE. The Kushan dynasty was prominent in Central Asia during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE. The Gupta dynasty, on the other hand, succeeded