The Mughal Empire or Mogul Empire, self-designated as Gurkani (Persian: Gūrkāniyān, meaning "son-in-law"), is an empire based in the Indian Subcontinent, established and ruled by a Muslim Persianate dynasty of Chagatai Turco-Mongol origin that extends over large parts of the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan.The beginning of the empire is conventionally dated to the founder Babur's victory over Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).

The Mughal emperors are Central Asian Turco-Mongols belonging to the Timurid dynasty, who claim direct descent from both Genghis Khan (founder of the Mongol Empire, through his son Chagatai Khan) and Timur (Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire).

During the reign of Humayun, the successor of Babur, the empireis briefly interrupted by the Sur Empire.