Early Muslim rulers in the 13th century referred to themselves as Sultans. But Mughals, in the 16th century, called themselves Badshah. This is because early Turkish rulers claimed power through the Caliph. Mughals claimed royal authority very differently, directly from God, almost like Sufi mystics without the Caliph's intervention. This little detail is often missed. And this shift has to do with Buddhism. Specifically, Tantrik Buddhism of Tibet.
Mughal founder Babur was a 10th generation descendant of Genghis Khan on his mother's side. "Mughal" is Persian corruption of "Mongol", highlighting this shared lineage. The pagan Mongols had destroyed Baghdad, centre of Islam, in the 13th century. After this, Islam had changed, becoming less legal, more mystical.
