Among the ruling classes in the Persianate world, what appears as a contradiction to the postmodern mind was a perfectly acceptable early modern concept: to be a humble Sufi and a powerful king simultaneously. Striving to be leaders who set an example for subjects in their respective realms, Mughal and Safavid rulers presented an image that aligned them with the chivalric heroes upon whom futuwwat/ javanmardi traditions were based. Throughout the Islamic world, the level of humility expressed by the ruler was dependent on his attire: the pious wore loose-fitting garments made from austere fabrics and patterns, while the more ostentatious metal-ground silks were donned by those who were known as being less observant. The piety of the ruler was therefore expressed through dress, and fashions at court could garner approval or disapproval from local populations.

These beliefs were compounded in Mughal India, where local Hindu populations also examined the projected persona of the ruler in the context of their own relationships with cloth, in which material was a representation of social order and spiritual purity in practice. Sufi groups in South Asia also held sway over much of the population, and the connection with these groups was critical to upholding the authority of the ruling dynasty. Therefore, the appearance of the ruler was critical to legitimizing the claim to sovereignty.