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