Ashvamedha: Ancient Raja Power Ritual

• Voting to choose leaders is a recent phenomenon, becoming common in the last 50 years.
• Around 3000 years ago, men became rajas by performing grand sacrifices.

Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice)

• A horse was set free and guarded by the raja’s men.
• If other rajas stopped the horse, they had to fight the raja performing the sacrifice.
• Allowing the horse to pass signified acceptance of the performing raja's strength.
• Invited rajas received gifts and attended the sacrifice.
• Specially trained priests performed the sacrifice and received rewards.
• The raja organizing the sacrifice was considered powerful and received gifts.
• The raja occupied a central role, often seated on a throne or tiger skin.
• The raja's charioteer recounted tales of his valor from the battlefield.
• The raja's relatives, including wives and sons, performed minor rituals.

Painted Grey Ware

• Plates and bowls were the most common vessels.
• These vessels were extremely fine with a smooth surface.
• They were likely used for special occasions, important people, and special food.
• Other rajas were spectators during the sacrifice.
• Priests sprinkled sacred water on the king.
• Ordinary people (vish or vaishya) also brought gifts.
• Some people, considered Shudras by priests, faced exclusion from rituals.

Varnas

• Society was divided into four categories: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
• Brahmins studied and taught the Vedas, performed sacrifices, and received gifts.
• Kshatriyas fought battles and protected people.
• Vaishyas were farmers, herders, and traders.
• Shudras served the other three groups.

Janapadas

• Rajas who performed grand sacrifices were recognized as rajas of janapadas.
• Janapada means the land where the jana set foot and settled.
• Important Janapadas include Purana Qila (Delhi), Hastinapura (near Meerut), and Atranjikhera (near Etah, Uttar Pradesh).
• People in these Janapadas lived in huts and kept cattle and other animals.
• They grew rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame, and mustard.
• Earthen pots were made, some grey and others red.
• Painted Grey Ware, a special pottery with painted designs (lines and geometric patterns) was found at these sites.

Mahajanapadas

• About 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important and were known as Mahajanapadas.
• Most mahajanapadas had a fortified capital city with walls of wood, brick, or stone.
• Fortifications were built for protection against attacks.
• New agricultural techniques, such as transplanting saplings instead of scattering seeds, increased production.

Magadha

• Magadha became the most important Mahajanapada in about 200 years.
• Rivers like the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha, aiding transport, water supply, and fertility.
• Forests provided elephants for the army and wood for construction.
• Iron ore mines supplied materials for strong tools and weapons.
• Bimbisara and Ajatasattu were powerful rulers who conquered other Janapadas.
• Mahapadma Nanda expanded control to the northwest.
• Rajagriha (Rajgir in Bihar) was the capital, later shifted to Pataliputra (Patna).
• Alexander of Macedonia, attempted to conquer the world, reached the banks of the Beas but his soldiers refused to proceed due to fear of Indian armies.

Vajji

• Vajji, with its capital at Vaishali (Bihar), had a different form of government called gana or sangha.
• A gana or sangha had many rulers, each known as a raja.
• The rajas performed rituals together and made decisions through discussion and debate in assemblies.
• Women, dasas, and Kammakarascould not participate in these assemblies.
• The Digha Nikaya, a Buddhist book, contains accounts of the Vajjis.
• Ajatasattu sought the Buddha's advice on attacking the Vajjis.
• The Buddha stated that the Vajjis would prosper if they:
  • Held frequent public assemblies.
  • Acted together.
  • Followed established rules.
  • Respected elders.
  • Maintained local shrines (Chaityas).
  • Respected wise saints.
• Powerful kingdoms tried to conquer the sanghas.
• The ganas or sanghas lasted until about 1500 years ago when the Gupta rulers conquered them.

Explore the Ashvamedha, a grand horse sacrifice performed by rajas around 3000 years ago to assert power. Discover the rituals, roles, and significance of this ancient practice, including painted grey ware plates and bowls used at the time. Understand how allowing the horse to pass signified acceptance of the performing raja's strength.