Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who of the following rulers had performed four Ashwamedhas?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
The Ashwamedha (Horse Sacrifice) was a Vedic ritual performed by monarchs to claim imperial status and absolute sovereignty over their neighboring territories.Explanation
Pravarasena-I, the son of Vindhyashakti (founder of the Vakataka empire), is historically credited with performing four Ashwamedha sacrifices, more than any other major Gupta or post-Mauryan ruler.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Pravarasena-I used these sacrifices to transform the Vakataka power into a paramount empire in Central India.
Logic 2: Pushyamitra Shunga and Samudragupta performed one Ashwamedha each.
Logic 3: Chandragupta II is often associated with the ritual but not at the scale of Pravarasena-I.