Babur was succeeded by his son Humayun, who was not as skilled in military matters as his father was. Humayun was overthrown by one of his Afghan vassals and exiled to Persia. He eventually regained his throne in India by enlisting the aid of the Persian shah with whom he had been staying in exile.

Humayun also was interested in art, literature, and the details of royal life. Upon his return to India, he sent to Persia for two well-known painters of miniatures to join his court.