The evidence that this shield belonged to the emperor Akbar, comes through an inscription on the shield which says, Buland Iqbal Shehanshah Akbar, year AH 1002. However, some scholars have contested the authenticity of the inscription. In the Mughal army which mainly relied on its cavalry, the shield was a part of the swordsman's equipment. It was carried on the left arm, or when out of use, slung over the shoulder. Shields were usually made of steel or hide and were generally from 17 to 24 inches (430 to 610 millimeters) in diameter. If made of steel they were often highly ornamented with patterns in gold damascening. The hide shields bore silver or gold bosses, crescents, or stars. Brahman soldiers wore shields made up of forty or fifty folds of silk painted with colors.

The shield is made of steel with gold damascening. Although it was a utilitarian piece yet it was decorated, befitting the Emperor’s stature. These decorations on the shield run in three circular bands. There is an effulgent sun in the centre, with four damascened bosses around it. Between the upper and the left side boss there is an inscription placed in a star. The outer band around the centre has a bold meandering pattern. The next band has representations of twelve Zodiac signs. The name of each sign is mentioned in the oval panel next to it. Interestingly the human figures in signs of Gemini, Virgo and Aquarius are shown in European costume which has led the scholars to ascribe a later date to this shield. However, it is possible that this foreign element could have been copied from European engravings that were presented to Akbar.

The decorations on the shield give evidence of the eclecticism of emperor Akbar. Both the contemporary literary sources, the Akbarnama and the Ain-i-Akbari, mention Akbar's great interest in Indian Astrology. Besides, Akbar's faith in the sun is well known through his new religion of Din-e-Ilahi. The workmanship of the shield speaks of the art of damascening, which consisted of inlaying different metals into one another—typically, gold or silver into a darkly oxidized steel background—to produce intricate patterns.