Correct Option
The correct option isAjit Singh
Explanation
Following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire entered a phase of disintegration characterized by weak successors and intense factionalism among the nobility (Irani, Turani, and Hindustani factions). Prominent Rajput rulers leveraged this instability to consolidate their autonomy and influence court politics.
Analysis of the Options:
- Sawai Jai Singh Sawai Jai Singh: He was the ruler of Amber (Jaipur), not Jodhpur. While he was a contemporary of Ajit Singh and played a crucial role in Mughal politics (receiving the title of Sawai and governorships of Malwa and Agra), specifically asks for the ruler of Jodhpur.
- Ajit Singh Ajit Singh: He was the ruler of Jodhpur (Marwar). After Aurangzeb's death, he reasserted his independence. He became deeply involved in the factional politics of the Mughal court, particularly allying with the Sayyid Brothers (the "Kingmakers"). He married his daughter to Emperor Farrukh Siyar but later conspired with the Sayyid Brothers to depose him in 1719. He served as the governor of Gujarat and Ajmer, illustrating his significant role in the court's power struggles.
- Abhay Singh Abhay Singh: He was the son of Ajit Singh and succeeded him in 1724. While he maintained relations with the Mughals, the foundational factional politics of the early eighteenth century (post-1707) were dominated by his father, Ajit Singh.
- Jaswant Singh Jaswant Singh: He was a prominent ruler of Jodhpur during the reign of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. He died in 1678, well before the factional politics of the early eighteenth century began.
Key Takeaway:
Ajit Singh of Marwar (Jodhpur) and Sawai Jai Singh of Amber (Jaipur) were the two most influential Rajput chieftains in the early 18th-century Mughal court, often acting as kingmakers or governors during the era of the Later Mughals.