The most proximate and crucial factor that accelerated the political and financial decline of the powerful state of Jaipur immediately following the reign of Sawai Jai Singh II was: |ForumIAS

[A] The annexation of the territory by the British East India Company under the Doctrine of Lapse.

[B] The costly and exhausting succession wars between his sons, which provided the Marathas with an entry point to levy heavy tributes.

[C] The invasion and sack of Jaipur by Nadir Shah of Persia in 1739 CE.

[D] A major rebellion by the peasant class (Jats) in the Shekhawati region, forcing the king to grant them autonomy.

Answer: B

Notes:

Explanation:

(b) Correct. After Jai Singh’s death in 1743, the bitter succession struggle between his sons, Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh, plunged the state into civil war. Both claimants sought help from the Marathas, who intervened repeatedly and exacted exorbitant tributes (Chauth and Sardeshmukhi), permanently crippling Jaipur’s finances and accelerating its decline.