what is ashwamedha yagna

The Ashvamedha Yagna is a horse sacrifice ritual that was followed by the Śrauta tradition of Vedic religion. It was used by ancient Indian kings to prove their imperial sovereignty. The ritual involved releasing a horse accompanied by the kings warriors to wander for a specified period of time. The horse was then followed by an army, and any kingdoms that the horse entered had the choice of either accepting the sovereignty of the king or challenging it through battle. The Ashvamedha Yagna is a significant part of Indian culture and has been mentioned in ancient scriptures such as the Rig Veda and the Ramayana. Over time, the form and meaning of the ritual have undergone changes, and it has been interpreted in various ways.