The genealogical seal of the Mughal emperors of India was one of the most potent symbols of Mughal imperial authority. The distinctive design of the seal - a central circle containing
the name of the ruling emperor, surrounded by a series of smaller circles, like satellites in
orbit, containing the names of his ancestors up to Timur (1336-1405) each preceded by
the filiative ibn - was a self-evident masterpiece of imperial symbolism, in which the
authority of the ruling emperor was both legitimised and enhanced by the deliberate
reference to his illustrious ancestors.