Landscape with a figure of the Virgin Mary (17th Century, Mughal Dynasty) - Public Domain Catholic Drawing

The Mughal dynasty was a Muslim dynasty of Turkic-Mongol origin that ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid-19th century. The Mughals were a majority Muslim ruling class over a majority Hindu population. They were known for their physical activity and military prowess, with the first three emperors being particularly active in expanding their empires. The Mughal Empire at its greatest territorial extent ruled parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

Christianity was present in Delhi during the Mughal Empire, with Emperor Akbar being known for his secular theology. Akbar invited a Jesuit priest from Goa in 1579 to learn more about Christianity. The Mughals allowed freedom of religion for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians, though they did not convert to Christianity themselves. Christians were mainly involved in professions such as commerce, jewelry, medicine, surgery, the army, and artisanship (enameling, goldsmithy, and lapidary).