Consider the following statements regarding the Ashvamedha horse: 1. It was a central figure in the sacrifice. 2. It was guarded by the Raja’s men. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (c). Explanation The Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice) was a major royal ritual in the Later Vedic period, performed by kings to establish paramount sovereignty and imperial authority over neighboring territories. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: The horse was the central figure of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. The entire ritual revolved around the consecration, release, wandering, and eventual sacrifice of the horse. Its movement defined the territorial claims of the king. - Statement 2 is Correct: The horse was not left to wander alone. It was closely guarded by a select group of the Raja’s men, typically comprising warriors or princes. Their role was to protect the horse and engage in battle with any rival king or chieftain who attempted to stop the horse, which was considered a direct challenge to the sacrificer's authority. Key Takeaway: The Ashvamedha was a political and religious ritual where a consecrated horse, guarded by the king's army, served as a moving boundary marker to assert the king's suzerainty over the regions it traversed.

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 5: Kingdoms, kings and an early republic

mcqeasy

Consider the following statements regarding the Ashvamedha horse:

It was a central figure in the sacrifice.
It was guarded by the Raja’s men.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

The Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice) was a major royal ritual in the Later Vedic period, performed by kings to establish paramount sovereignty and imperial authority over neighboring territories.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The horse was the central figure of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. The entire ritual revolved around the consecration, release, wandering, and eventual sacrifice of the horse. Its movement defined the territorial claims of the king.
Statement 2 is Correct: The horse was not left to wander alone. It was closely guarded by a select group of the Raja’s men, typically comprising warriors or princes. Their role was to protect the horse and engage in battle with any rival king or chieftain who attempted to stop the horse, which was considered a direct challenge to the sacrificer's authority.

Key Takeaway:
The Ashvamedha was a political and religious ritual where a consecrated horse, guarded by the king's army, served as a moving boundary marker to assert the king's suzerainty over the regions it traversed.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Kingdoms, kings and an early republic

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