Rajputs, Marathas, Jats, Sikhs etc and their role in declination of the Mughal Empire

The process of decline of Mughals can be divided into some milestones.

Milestone 1: Aurangzeb's religious war

Milestone 2: counter-reaction to Aurangzeb's policies the emergence of regional powers

Milestone 3: invasions from Persia and Afghanistan

Milestone 4: the emergence of Marathas as a significant power

Milestone 5: consolidation of Maratha power and emergence of Sikh power

Milestone 6: zero-sum game for Indians