Susima (also Sushima) was the crown prince of the Maurya Empire of ancient India and the eldest son and heir-apparent of the second Mauryan emperor Bindusara.
He was next in line for his father's throne,[1] but was defeated in a succession conflict by his younger half-brother, Ashoka, who eventually succeeded Bindusara as the third Mauryan emperor.
He had several younger half-siblings, including Ashoka, born to Bindusara's second wife, Subhadrangi.
When Bindusara fell ill in 273 BC, Susima was the clear heir to the throne.
He also had the support of Bindusara's chief minister, Radhagupta and Susima's guru Khallataka.