How did subject peoples relate to their ruling governments?

Subject peoples challenged the authority of their ruling governments. An example of this is the relationship between the Marathas and the Mughal Sultans. Aurangzeb, the leader of the Mughals, was fiercely Muslim, and he tried to force his religion on others. This included the Hindu Maratha Empire to the south. Aurangzeb attacked the Marathas in 1689 and the Deccan Wars (also known as the War of 27 Years) ensued. Although they were strongly outnumbered in both troops and weapons, the Marathas eventually fought off the Mughals. The Mughal empire crumbled soon after this stunning defeat only to be replaced largely by the Marathas.
Additionally, the American colonists in North America, the French subjects in France, and the peoples of Latin America overthrew their oppressive governments. Because of Enlightenment ideas that commonly emphasized human rights, people resented their governments.

This is a famous, anonymous representation of the storming of the Bastille, an event that helped to set in motion the French Revolution.