The Mughal paintings of India developed during the reign of Humayun when he brought two great Persian artists, Abd-us-Samad and Mir-Sayyid Ali, and laid the foundations of Mughal painting in the mid-16th century. This painting is one of the earliest paintings attributed to these two Persian artists, commissioned by Emperor Humayun when he was in Kabul.

When Humayun was removed from the throne in 1540, he went to the court of Safavid Shah Tahmasp in Iran for help. Shah agreed to help him, provided he accepted the Shia faith. Humayun formally accepted the Shia faith, and the Iranian ruler offered military support to him to conquer Kabul and Kandahar. He later annexed Agra and Delhi. In Iran, the art-bestowed book-loving Humayun came across the gorgeous, illustrated manuscripts of the Safavid court, which sparked the desire for things besides military aid from Iran. He took advantage of the Shah Tahmasp’s growing lack of interest in artists whom he had lavishly patronized for many years. Humayun offered employment to several of these artists and craftsmen. In 1540 at least two painters, Mir Sayyid Ali, and Abd al-Samad came to the Mughal court, which was then in Kabul, and later accompanied Humayun to India. Their work at Humayun's court was considered a starting point from which the Mughal style developed. 

Most of Humayun's period works are portraits or descriptions of actual events. Probably Humayun was primarily interested in images of familiar people and historical happenings. Akbar was also built on the established tradition by Humayun. The two well-known paintings of Princes of the House of Timur and Prince Akbar presenting a painting to Humayun by Abd as-Samad are among these early works. In these paintings, the Persian landscape and the turban known as Taj-I Izzat, devised by Humayun, are crucial for identification, for they are distinct to the Humayun's court.

About the Painting
This painting is famously titled as Princes of the House of Timur. There are disagreements about the date of this artwork, which can mostly be attributed to repainting and later additions. Some characters and details were added to this painting later. If we consider the date of this painting between 1550-1555, the time period coincides with Humayun's time in Kabul, where he was ready to take back his throne in Delhi. Most historians are in agreement vis-a-vis the aforementioned date. This painting is probably the earliest painting of the Mughal school.
Most historians attribute this painting to one of the two famous Iranian painters, Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd al-Samad. Humayun's interest in art and his invitation of Iranian painters to the Mughal court led to the birth of a new style of painting, which is now known as the Mughal Miniature Art.