Debunking the Ashwamedha Misconception

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Ashwamedha "अश्व मेध" to Ashwavadha "अश्व वध:" : a concocted Mughal journey. Ashwamedha as Horse sacrifice was propagated by Moghuls as against popular belief that Britishers tempered it. Here are chronological archaeo and painting records proving ashwamedha was never to kill horse untill the Mughal courtiers interpolated it. The study found that 27 kings from 18 dynasties had performed a total of 81 documented Ashwamedha Yagyas from the 1st century BCE to the 18th century CE. Here we go. Retweet and bookmark this important debunking #Archaeology

Hindu ancient text emphasises the importance of Yagya and Nation building. Two of major text arer here ऋग्वेदः - "अ॒ग्निमीळे॑ पुरोहितं॒ य॒ज्ञस्य॑ देवं॒ ऋत्विज॑म्। हो॒तारं॑ रत्नधात॒मम्॥" इति। अत्र अग्निः यज्ञे पुरोहितः (ऋत्विज्) भवति। ”agnim īḻe purohitaṃ yajñasya devam ṛtvijam | hotāraṃ ratnadhātamam ||” implies that the agni is the purohit (priest) in this sacred spiritual act (yagya) शतपथब्राह्मणम् (१३.१.६) इत्यस्मिन् स्पष्टं वर्तते - "राष्ट्रं वा अश्वमेधः"। अत्र अश्वमेधयज्ञस्य वास्तविकं तात्पर्यम् देशस्य सुशासनं व्यवस्थापनं च इति, यत्र मानवसाधनं पर्यावरणं च सम्मिलितं भवतः। Shatpath Brahman (13.1.6), it is stated that ”Rashtram va Ashwamedha”, which implies the real meaning of Ashwamedha Yagya is to administer and manage the country efficiently, which not only involves human resources but also the ecosystem. Note: No Horse "Sacrifice" Advised.

Earliest inscriptional evidence about Aśvamedha is found in Naneghat dating 1st century bce The dialipidiating inscriptions says, that The Aśvamedha yajña was performed for 3 years. Sātakarṇi performed this yajña twice, which implies that he had to establish his sovereignty twice. This suggests that his supremacy may have been challenged after the first Aśvamedha yajña. The second Aśvamedha yajña likely indicates his regaining of hegemony. Sātakarṇi extended the Sātavāhana rule beyond the Deccan Region, and he was undoubtedly a great conqueror. In the inscription, he has been eulogized as 'Pṛṭhvyāḥ Prathama Vīra' or the foremost warrior of the earth. The donations given during these yajñas included a horse with silver trappings and decorated with gold ornaments, 14,000 Kārṣapaṇas, and one cart with grains. Apart from these, a village was also donated—one of the first instances of the donation of a village to a beneficiary. This custom was continued by later Sātavāhana rulers and became common practice by the Gupta period. The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa mentions different types of Aśvamedha yajñas. Different varieties of animals—both wild and domesticated—were to be brought to the yajña vedi, and the wild animals were to be let go after the fire was taken around them. Note : No horse sacrifice x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/1829194889625522585?t=xGHo7NsRLWnJPVCIqyh9zQ&s=19

Ayodhya Inscription of Dhana is a stone inscription related to a Hindu Deva king named Dhana or Dhana–deva of the 1st-century BCE or 1st century CE mentioning of Ashamedha by Pushyamitra 1. Kosal-adhipena dvir-asvamedha-yajinah senapateh Pushyamitrasya shashthena Kausiki-putrena Dhana 2. Dharmarajna pituh Phalgudevasya ketanam karitam – Shunga dynasty Ayodhya Inscription, 1st-century BCE – 1st century CE Dhana (deva, bhuti, etc), Lord of Kosala, son of Kausiki, the sixth of the Senapati Pushyamitra, who had performed the Ashvamedha twice, erected a shrine (or other memorial) in honor of Phalgudeva, the father of the Dharmaraja. — Dhana's Ayodhya inscription Note : No horse sacrifice

Gajayana Sarvatata, from the Kanva dynasty, is noted for performing an Ashwamedha yagya in the 1st century B.C. in the Chittodgadh region of Rajasthan. This event is chronicled in the 'Ghosundi and Hathibada' inscriptions, written in Brahmi script from the latter half of the 1st century bce A transcript of the brick inscription reads: 1. (कारतो अयं राज्ञा भागव*) (ते) न" गाजायनेन पाराशरी-पुत्रेण स 2. (वर्तातेन अ मेध-या*) जना' भगव (व्*) भ्यां संकषर्ण-वासुदेवाभ्यां 3. (अनहताभ्यां सव र) भ्यां पूजा-शला-प्राकारो नारायण-वाटका These inscriptions are valuable as they are written in a blend of Sanskrit and Prakrit. They indicate that the king, belonging to the Gaya family and son of Parashari (a woman from the Parashar gotra), performed the Ashwamedha yagya. Note No horse sacrifice

1st century bce The Musanagar brick inscription is found on a mound near the village Musanagar of Kanpur District. Locals believe that this place was ruled by King Bali in ancient times. The Musanagar brick inscription states, “... be ke Aśvavātāyaniputasa Devamitasa aśvamerdha(dhaḥ)”. It translates to “The Ashwamedha yagya of Devimitra, son of Āśvavātāyanī, (performed at) . . . beka…” According to the archaeological study, the King Devimitra (1st century bce) was the king of Ayodhya (the conclusion was made on the basis of studies of coins found and son of Asvavatayani (mother). It is noteworthy that in medieval times, people were known through the name of their mother’s gotra. This was also observed in the case of Pushyamitra Sunga

Kashi, also known as Varanasi, is celebrated as a Teerth (pilgrimage site) and is one of the most ancient and sacred cities in India, retaining its historical name through the ages. It is also referred to as Dashashwamedh Teertha, with "Dasha" meaning ten and "Ashwamedha" relating to the sacred ritual. According to the Skanda Purana, King Divodas of Kashi organized ten Ashwamedha Yagyas. Initially, the Dashashwamedh Ghat was known as Rudrasaras in Indian scriptures, where the Ashwamedha Yagya was performed and two Shivlings were installed. In "Epigraphia Indica Vol. 1," published in 1892, an inscription was discovered in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. It states that the Bharshiva dynasty performed the Ashwamedha Yagya in Kashi and established their kingdom there. The present ghat was constructed by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in 1748. A few decades later, in 1774, Ahilyabai Holkar, the Queen of Indore, rebuilt the ghat. An inscription from the Vakataka dynasty, found in the Ajanta caves, mentions that King Bharshiva performed the Ashwamedha Yagya ten times.

3rd Century ce Inscription is the an epigraphical record of Ashwamedha King Vashisthiputra Chamtamula performed the Ashwamedha Yagya in the 3rd century ce. He ruled in Vijaypuri, located in the Nagaarjunikonda valley of the Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. He was a member of the Iksvaku dynasty. Inscriptions from his sons and grandson mention his performance of the Ashwamedha Yagya. These inscriptions were discovered in 1882 and were found on five pillars of King Madhariputa Shri VeerPurushdata of the Iksvaku dynasty. The pillars, discovered in Amravati, Maharashtra, bore the phrase “Ayeka khamba.” They were installed by King Madhariputa Shri VeerPurushdata, whose father was King Vashisthiputra Chamtamula. The inscriptions on the pillar include: 1. सध[॥*] नमो भगवतो दवराज-सकतस सम-समसबुधस धातुवर 2. परगिहतस महाचे तये महारजस िवरूपखपतमहासन-परगिहतस 3. अगहोतागठोगठोम' हरणकोट-गोसतवाजपेयासमेध-याजस 4. सहस-हलसतसहस-पदायस सवयेसु अपतहतसकपस 5. वासठी-पुतस इखाकस सर-चातमूलस सोदराय भिगिनय हंम 6. सरणकाय बालका रथो सर-िवरपु रसदतस भया महादिव बिपसरणका

Archaeologists discovered three sites where King Silavarman performed the Ashwamedha Yagya for the fourth time in the 3rd century CE at Jagatgram-Barhwala. The bricks are arranged in a hawk shape, reflecting the teachings found in Hindu Sanskrit texts for the Ashvamedha Yajna. Dated to the 3rd century CE and attributed to King Silavarman, some of these bricks include inscriptions and have been moved to the Delhi National Museum. The sites in the Jagatgram–Barhwala region show a large spread of plain bricks. The brick inscription reads: सिद्धम् युगेश्वर स्य श्वमेधे युग शैले माहापते इष्ट का वार्षगण्यस्य नृ प तेश्शीलावर्मन Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology There are hardly any visitor to this important historical heritage due to non-awareness and non-approaching road. Source: x.com/chronicle_watch/status/1746399653212692713

King Devavarman of the Salankayanas dynasty, in the 4th century ce, performed the Ashvamedha Yagya. This event is recorded in the inscription on line number five. According to three copper plates written in Prakrit, Proso, and Sanskrit, King Devavarman issued these plates from Vengipura, present-day Andhra Pradesh, and addressed them to the villagers of Elura Line number five of the first and second plate inscriptions states: 1. Om [1], Siri-vijaya-Vengipura [*] Bhagavato 2. Chittarathasami-pâdânn 3. jjhatassa bappabhatțâraka-padabhattassa 4. (Second plate first side) 5. paramamha Svastir Aryamitra-Suribhūyādh vai 6. Bhâiśârakânāmi-ghaś-aśvamerdha(dhaḥ) 7. Sri-Vijaya-Devavarmanasya 8. Vikrama-deva-varshasya [=Shaka-Samvat] These inscriptions highlight the significance of the Ashvamedha Yagya in King Devavarman's reign. Note no horse sacrifice

3rd to 4th century CE According to the archaeological survey report of Western India in 1875 by J. Burgess, a copper plate has been found. The illustrious Pravarasena, the great king of the Vakatakas, a universal ruler belonging to the Vishnuvriddha gotra (dynasty), performed several yagyas. These included an Agnishtoma sacrifice, an Aptoryama, an Ukthya, a Shodasin, an Atiratra, a Vajapeya, a Brihaspatisava, a Sadyaskrin, and four Ashwamedha yagyas. At the request of Prince Kondaraja, the destroyer of his foes, the village called Charmmanka in the kingdom of Bhojakata, located on the bank of the river Madhu and containing eight thousand bhamis measured by the royal measuring rod, has been given to one thousand Brahmanas belonging to various families and schools. Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology

In 450 CE, King Dahrasena of the Traikutaka dynasty performed the Ashwamedha yagya, as documented in the Pardi plates inscriptions of 455 AD. These plates, weighing 31 tolas, provide information about Maharaj Dahrasena of the Traikutaka family. The second line of the first plate mentions that the king conducted the Ashwamedha yagya. 1. Kadamba Svasti [II] From Vijaya-skandhāvāra at Āmrakā, the Traikutakas' settlement, Mahārāja Dahrasēna, 2. devoted to his parents, a servant of Bhagavat's feet, and performer of the Ashwamedha yagya, 3. issues this order to all subjects in the Antar mandali district: Nanna (una)svimina should note, as should the Brahmin residing in Kāpurā, 4. that the village KaniyasTadākāsérikā within this district is for his parents and his own meritorious acts. The translation reads: "Hail! From the victorious camp at Āmrakā, the glorious Mahārāja Dahrasēna of the Traikūtakas, who meditates on the feet of his parents and serves the feet of Bhagavat (Vishnu), and who has performed an Ashwamedha yagya, addresses this order to all subjects in the Antar mandali district (vishaya)."

350-455 ce Samudragupta and Kumaragupta coins with Ashwamedha The horses are decorated elegantly. Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology

5th-century inscriptions on the Godhchi plates of Katti Asara state: Hail! In the Saka year four hundred and sixty-five, the Chalukya king, Vallabhēśvara, performer of the Asvamedha and other sacrifices according to the Śrauta rites, and one born of Hiranyagarbha, transformed the best hill of Vātāpi into an unconquerable fortress, both from the top and the bottom, for the prosperity of the earth. Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology

In the 7th century CE, three copper plates featuring inscriptions from King Ayasobhita II Madhyamaraja of the Sailodbhava dynasty were discovered. This dynasty ruled over the region of Kongoda, which includes the present-day districts of Ganjam, Khordha, and Puri in Odisha state. Verse 12 of these inscriptions highlights the achievements of King Sainyabhita Madhavavarman II, referring to him as one who performed the Ashwamedha Yagya. “yam abhimatā kīrttri māpā ajasram yajñais tair asvamëdhaprabhritibhir amara” This implies that the Ashwamedha Yagya was indeed performed. Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology

1st century ce to 7th century ce Four Pallava Kings King Sivaskandvarman, King Kumarvisnu, King Simhavarman I, and King Nandivarman II performed Ashwamedha Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology

690 CE : The right bottom of the sculpture at Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram depicts the Ashwamedha, horse standing still Note: No horse sacrifice #Archaeology

Ashwamedhikaparwa of jaimini bharata. 1574 Birla Razmnama commissioned by Akbar This is the earliest portrayal of a horse being kiIIed Note: horse sacrifice #Archaeology

Kaushalya performing the Ashvamedha ritual in Ramayana. 1712 Note : Horse sacrifice Now go to link vedkabhed.frommuslims.com/index.php/2018/05/14/ashvamedha-yajna-the-obscene-ritual/ how interpolation feeds these hätëmœngers.

In 1734, King Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur performed the Ashwamedha Yagya, a key cultural and religious event. As per Shri Krishna Bhatt Kavi Kalanidhi, he established Brahmpuri colony in Purani Basti for Brahmins from Prayag, invited for the ceremony. The Yagya took place at Kanak Vrindavan, Jaipur. According to Tod's "Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan," King Jai Singh conducted the Yagya twice. Can you see the horse being sacrificed ? Pic representational

So next time "Sacrifice" is casually used as Yagja. Pleas resist. Spread this message and follow me for more contents like this..

researchgate.net/publication/380353575_Performers_and_Sites_of_the_Ashwamedha_Yagya_in_Medieval_India/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoiX2RpcmVjdCJ9fQ List of Ashwamedhas