The Mughal Empire was an empire in the Indian subcontinent, founded in 1526. It was established and ruled by a Muslim dynasty of Turco-Mongol roots originating from Central Asia but with significant Indian and Persian ancestry through marriage alliances. In fact only the first two Mughal emperors were fully Central Asian, while successive emperors were of predominantly Indian and Persian ancestry. The dynasty was Indo-Persian in culture, combining Persianate culture with local Indian cultural influences visible in its traits and customs. The Mughal Empire at its peak extended over nearly all of the Indian subcontinent and large parts of Afghanistan. It was the second largest empire to have existed in the Indian subcontinent, spanning four million square kilometres at its zenith,after only the Maurya Empire, which spanned five million square kilometres.
The Mughal Empire began a period of proto-industrialization and Mughal India became the world's largest economic power, with 24.4% of world GDP and the world leader in manufacturing, producing 25% of global industrial output up until the 18th century.
The Mughal Empire is considered "India's last golden age" and one of the three Islamic Gunpowder Empires, along with the Ottoman Empire and the Persian Safavid era. This fine example of watered steel arm guards is formed of a main plate and of a support wrist plate. While this example can be attributed to the Mughal Empire due to the workmanship, weight and design the decoration consisting of an intricate floral motif with roses, and the workmanship are also known in Safavid and even Zand Persian examples.