An ancient Vedic ritual in which a horse was released to wander freely for a year, followed by its sacrifice, performed by Hindu kings to demonstrate power and religious authority.
From Sanskrit aśvamedha, compound of aśva ('horse') and medha ('sacrifice'). The ritual is described in detail in the Rig Veda and was practiced from Vedic times through the classical period.
The ashvamedha was essentially ancient 'reality TV'—the horse's journey was watched by the entire kingdom, and only if no one captured or blocked it could the king perform the sacrifice and prove his sovereignty!
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