Asvamedha

The Asvamedha is an ancient Indian ritual involving the sacrifice of a horse to demonstrate a king’s power, sovereignty, and divine authority. It was performed by placing a sacrificial horse free to roam for a year, during which surrounding territories pledged allegiance. Afterward, the horse was sacrificed in a grand ceremony, symbolizing the king’s dominion and unity of the land. This Vedic ritual emphasized sovereignty, prosperity, and the ruler’s connection to divine forces, reflecting the importance of kingship and social order in ancient Indian culture.