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How did Akbar’s ancestry connect him to Timur and Genghis Khan?

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Akbar A painting titled *Akbar Hunting* from a folio of *Akbarnama* (“History of Akbar”), late 16th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

Akbar’s ancestry connected him to two of history's most significant conquerors through his grandfather, Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty.12

Akbar was a descendant of the Turkic conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) on his paternal side. Through his mother’s side, Babur claimed descent from Genghis Khan, specifically through his second son, Chagatai.324

This dual heritage—often referred to as Indo-Timurid—was central to the identity of the Mughal emperors, who acknowledged Timur as the primary founder of their power while maintaining the legacy of their Mongol and Turkic roots.432