Iran has been traditionally allied with Mughal India against the Uzbeks, who covet the province of Khorasan.

The Mughal emperor Humayun had given Abbas’ grandfather, Shah Tahmasp, the province of Kandahar as a reward for helping him back to his throne.

Humayun’s successor Akbar, profiting from the confusion in Iran, had in 1590 seized Kandahar.

Abbas has continued to maintain cordial relations with the Mughals, while always asking for the return of Kandahar.

A diplomatic incident in 1620, in which the Iranian ambassador had refused to bow down in front of the Emperor Jahangir, finally leads to war.

India is embroiled in civil turmoil and Abbas finds he only needs a lightning raid to take back Kandahar in 1622.

After the conquest, he is very conciliatory to Jahangir, claiming he has only taken back what is rightly his and disavowing any further territorial ambitions.

Jahangir is not appeased but he is unable to recapture the province.