Final answer:
Aurangzeb's imposition of the jizya tax and preferential treatment of Muslims over Hindus in his administration led Hindus to support the Maratha Empire, which was more inclusive and successful in military confrontations against the Mughal forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The actions of Aurangzeb that may have led Hindus to support the Marathas instead of the Mughal Empire include his imposition of the jizya tax on all non-Muslims, including Hindus, and his favoritism towards Muslim immigrants and administrators over Indian-born Hindus. Aurangzeb's policies were seen as intolerant, especially when compared to the more inclusive policies of previous Mughal emperors, like Akbar, who promoted religious tolerance, abolished the jizya tax, and involved Hindus in his administration. The rise of the Maratha Empire under leaders such as Shivaji offered an alternative to Aurangzeb's rule and attracted many followers due to their military successes and opposition to Mughal policies that were perceived as discriminatory to Hindus.