Martyrdom Of The Bab

Báb from Chihriq to Tabriz

Martyrdom of the Báb

Only a month after the Báb had sent away all His possessions from the prison, the unremitting Prime This is the story of the final days of the Báb, who Minister, reconsidering his scheme for leading out appeared in Persia in 1844 to challenge and reform the Báb publically across the land and ensuring the corruption of the land, and introduce to the everywhere his humiliation, now defied the King's world the appearance of Bahá'u'lláh and a new orders and his ministers' feeble protests, and world Faith. Meeting His death in 1850, He was commanded the Governor-General to transfer the suspended in mid-air with a disciple and executed Báb to the city of Tabriz, the second capital city of by a regiment of soldiers in full view of thousands of the realm. That Governor however instructed one of people. his friends to accommodate the Báb with the utmost respect within his home. The story begins with the vision of Anis, promising him a death alongside the Báb...

Overview

Prince Ordered to Execute Báb and Followers

In three days, the Prime Minister's own brother arrived carrying further orders for the Governor to execute the Báb immediately, along with all who During the Báb's imprisonment in the Castle, His persisted in following Him. message was heard by a youth named Anis. From The shocked Governor absolutely refused to obey that moment onwards, Anis was overtaken with a such a shameful act, and the Prime Minister's longing to sacrifice himself upon that path. His brother on his return, was instead entrusted with stepfather deplored his state, forcefully confining the task. Returning to acquaint the Governor with him to his house; he placed a watch over him so this change of order, the Governor pretended to be that he might not leave the city. Anis languished in this confinement, tears continually raining from his ill, and refused to meet him. He instead tried to arrange the Báb to come before a conference of the eyes. One day the Báb appeared before him in a vision of indescribable beauty and power, and from clergy of the city, but the clergy one and all shrank away in fear, and demanded His death. The Prince that day, Anis' face was constantly filled with serenity and joy. In that vision, the Báb told him how therefore arranged for the Báb to appear in the He would Himself be suspended before the eyes of citadel before his own Council and judges, who treated the Báb arrogantly and abusively; when the the multitude in that very city and fall to the fire of the enemy, and that He had chosen none but him to Báb confounded them from top to bottom, they finally understood why the clergy had declined to share in that cup of martyrdom. "Rest assured," entertain any meeting with Him. They too responded were the Báb's closing words, "that this promise that He must die, and as they were holding the Báb which I give you shall be fulfilled." by the arm about to execute Him with cruelty upon Báb Entusts His Documents the spot, the decision was conveyed by the Prime In prison within the Castle of Chihriq, the Báb Minister's brother to execute Him clearly and gathered together His letters, documents, seals and publically, that no one should ever doubt that He private possessions into a chest, which he was gone: formal sentence would be obtained from entrusted with the key and a letter to one of the the clergy of the city and the nearby Christian Letters of the Living, urging the greatest care and regiment summoned, and suspending the Báb confidentiality in conveying them to one of His within the courtyard of the barracks before the full secretaries. After much journeying, he caught up view of all the people of the city, the Báb should be with that secretary in a rented house. Opening the executed, thereby entering the month of fasting with chest of its items, everyone marvelled at a spotless an untroubled mind. scroll of blue paper of the most delicate texture, on Tabriz to Barracks which the Báb had written as a star about five This Prime Minister's brother summoned his Chief hundred derivatives of the word "Bahá". They Aide to carry out the command. The Báb's green appeared as a single wash of ink, such that no turban and sash were seized, to lessen the calligraphist might ever hope to rival. Everything sympathy evoked in the people when they saw Him, was returned to the chest, and by the Báb's instruction, that very day his secretary pressed on to and the Báb was then taken out with four of His followers toward His destination. the Capital and delivered them to Bahá'u'lláh.

Anis' Story

Martyrdom of the Báb

1 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00

Anis Appears A tremendous and mysterious commotion began to arise in that city, spreading like a fire amongst its inhabitants. As the Báb was approaching the barrack courtyard, suddenly a youth leapt forward, forcing his way through the crowds; his face haggard, feet bare, hair dishevelled, and breathless with excitement and exhausted with fatigue, he disregarded all personal peril and flung himself at the feet of the Báb. He seized the hem of His garment, and passionately implored Him; "O Master, send me not away from You - suffer me to follow You wherever You go." "Arise," responded the Báb to Anis, "and rest assured you will be with Me: for tomorrow you shall witness God's decree." Two other companions, unable to contain themselves, rushed forward declaring their loyalty to the Báb. All of these were seized and confined with the Báb in a cell, with a large number of soldiers placed on their guard.

necessary authorisation for the execution. The Aide interrupted the Báb just as he was engaged in a confidential conversation with his secretary. The Báb turned to this intruder, and warned him severely; "Not until I have told him all that I wish to say, can any earthly power silence Me. I shall not be deterred from fulfilling, to the last word, My intention." Staggered at such a bold assertion from a prisoner, the Aide conducted the Báb's secretary away without a word of reply.

Morning Humiliations

Outside, the whole city was astir with expectation. Under close guard, the prisoners were led out with great iron chains firmly bound round necks and arms; barefoot and without cloak, clad only in under-coats and night-caps, the Báb had been deprived of the green turban that signified an ancestry that would have kept away the hand of execution. They were conducted into the city, by a long cord from the iron collars clamped around their necks. Every street and lane was teeming with Báb's Joy crowds of expectant onlookers climbed up on each That night the face of the Báb was aglow with joy. others' shoulders to see the One of whom they had Unmoved by the storm raging all around Him and conscious of approaching victory, He conversed with heard so much talk about; many were moved by the pale gentle face, white delicate hands, and simple His companions in the utmost gaiety and but spotless raiment of the sufferer, whilst a large cheerfulness. number, urged on by the implacable clergy, Báb's Requests subjected them relentlessly to their coarse taunts 'Tomorrow,' said the Báb to His companions, 'will be and blows as they cast stones and mud at the helpless captives, breaking out through the ranks to the day of My martyrdom. Would that one of you strike them hard in the face and head, shouting might now arise, and with his own hands end My life; I prefer to be slain by the hand of a friend, than with delight at every missile and shard that struck them, the Báb even paraded upon an ass. For hours by that of the enemy.' the prisoners were dragged in violent turmoil and Tears rained from their eyes; they all made their abuse through the endless streets and bazaars of excuses, and remained silent. This same Anis Tabríz. sprang suddenly to his feet and announced he would obey the Báb's desire. The companions Authorisation prevented him from achieving what they considered Anis, the Báb's secretary and the Báb were taken in an unfaithful act; yet the Báb smiled approvingly, turn to several of the houses of the leading clergy, and praised Anis' devotion. However, He requested who attempted to induce them to deny their Faith or rather that they should disown Him, so that they taste death, with insults, blows, and brutalities would be able to convey to the rest of His followers bursting out with extreme violence. Anis refused to everything they knew. Anis however fell at the Báb's their face to renounce the Báb, just as firmly as the feet, and entreated Him to be allowed to lay down Báb unswervingly upheld His declaration. The clergy his life with Him. The Báb offered Anis reasons that utterly refused to engage the Báb face to face, could dissuade him from such a course, but Anis many pretending illness and cowardly sending out persisted with his pleas. "This same youth," the Báb an attendant with the authorisation for His consented, "will suffer with Me in martyrdom: Him execution. will I choose to share with Me its crown. Truly, Anis Having promptly secured the necessary will be with Us in Paradise." documentation, the formality produced a great Báb and Secretary effect upon the hostile teeming crowds, who presumed an even greater guilt than they had Early in the morning, the Prime Minister's brother supposed until then, and the prisoners were ordered his Chief Aide to conduct the Báb into the presence of the city's religious leaders and gain the dragged back again through the violence of the Martyrdom of the Báb

2 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00

streets. The Báb's secretary, his powers of endurance utterly exhausted, falling to the ground fainting with fatigue and pain, yet dragged again to his feet like a drunk man and shaken hard, followed the Báb's instructions for conveying to the faithful His last writings and injunctions, and declared that he was not of them. They demanded he face the Báb and gain his freedom and forgivess by cursing Him. Satisfying this heartbreaking request, they then demanded that if he spit in the Báb's face, he would in that instance be set at liberty. Though in heart abhorring it, yet in fulfilment of the Báb's command, He spat upon the face of His Beloved. Hearing and seeing these acts, the crowd abandoned him, as they continued with the parade until they at last reached the Small Barracks.

Suspension 1

Opposite the cells on one side of the Square, also known as the 'Square of the Lord of the Age', spikes were driven in, and Anis and then the Báb were suspended by separate heavy ropes from the stone gutters erected under the eaves of the cells. The Báb remained silent, the beautiful features of His pale handsome face framed by a black beard and small mustache, his appearance and refined manners, his white, delicate and well-shaped hands, his simple but very neat garments everything about him awakened sympathy and compassion. They were placed so that they were looking into the stone, but Anis begged to be turned to face the soldiers so that he could see the bullets flying toward him. The officer granted his request. He then asked his face be placed right down upon Inducement of Anis the Báb's feet, but the officer rejected this; as was With the secretary confined now within a cell and his request to be positioned to shield the Báb from hoping that Anis might follow him in denying the the bullets aimed only at him. In the end, they Báb, the executioners made another attempt to bound their shoulders firmly so that the head of the seduce Anis. His young wife and little children were young man was on the Báb's breast, both brought before him, that the rain of their tears and suspended three metres from the ground. His entreaties might conquer his resolution; but Anis relations and friends cried out that he was mad, remained steadfast, declaring his faith in the most and therefore unlawful to receive the death-penalty; forthright manner, asking of them only that he might but Anis responded, "I am in my right mind: perfect be killed before his Master. in service, and in sacrifice." Anis calmly spoke aloud excerpts from the prayers of his master, whilst the Sam Khan Affected The colonel, finding himself increasingly affected by Báb remained peaceful and silent throughout. the behaviour of the Báb, was seized with great fear As soon as they were fastened, soldiers from the seven-hundred-and-fifty-strong regiment were that his action might bring upon him the wrath of ranged with their guns into three files. God. "Enable me to free myself from the obligation to shed your blood," he requested the Báb. But the The surroundings and housetops billowed with a Báb bade him carry out his instructions, and crowd of about ten thousand impatient spectators. assured him, "the Almighty is surely most able to One of the Báb's followers was amongst the people deliver you from your perplexity." with his sword on, foolishly waiting for an opportunity to attempt a rescue, but he found Into the Square himself suddenly overcome with drowsiness, and Exhausted and weary of finding their efforts was forced to sit down, weak and insensible. fruitless, the Báb was brought out through the first The Colonel gave the order, and the soldiers raised door that led to the square, and reaching the roof of their guns as for salute. The people fell silent, as the cistern, He stopped for a moment before a though everyone had stopped breathing. Hearts number of nobles and prominent persons present pounded, joints shook, one could hear the hum like there. All begged the Báb to renounce His claims the hum of flies' wings. At the second command and not spill His blood in such a famous city. The such silence descended upon the people so that it Báb paid no attention, and remained wholly calm, seemed a bird was sitting on their heads. One could showing no signs of fear, anxiety, or confusion. The hear the beat of hearts and pulses. At that moment Governor's Chief Aide came to the commander and the Colonel glanced toward the chief of the showed him the order for the execution of the Báb governor's gate keepers who held in his hand the and his comrade, but the officer refused to obey an order for execution, and then received the signal to order from outside his ministry. The head of the carry it out. The Colonel signaled the head of the gate keepers went out to the colonel of the squadron and ordered the first file to fire. Christian regiment, and he appointed a detachment of the regiment to carry out the order.

Martyrdom of the Báb

3 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00

As the firing-party made themselves ready1, Anis, whose name was Muhammad 'Alí, was heard to say to the Báb, "Master, are You content with me?" The Báb replied to him in Arabic, "Verily, Muhammad 'Alí is with Us in Paradise!" As these words were spoken, the crash of musketry rang out, as the soldiers discharged their guns in a vast hail of bullets. The next file received the orders to fire, and discharged their guns in a hail of bullets whistling at the Báb. A mighty smoke was produced, and for a moment the rolling cloud of smoke hid the bodies of the prisoners from the crowds of onlookers as they watched that sad and moving scene. The bullets cut the Báb free without touching Him, releasing Him to the ground without a scratch, and He made his way back into the cell from which He had been suspended, to finish His conversation with His secretary. As the smoke and dust cleared, the astounded multitude beheld a scene their eyes could scarcely believe. There was Anis, and the Báb was gone. Uproar arose on all sides, a great clamour of wonder, admiration and awe broke forth amongst the bewildered people, as they proclaimed He had disappeared, perhaps flown through the air, or even ascended up into the skies. The authorities perceived with fear the populace ready to veer around in favour of one who but an hour ago they had been jeering and pelting with stones. The colonel ordered the soldiers to form together a wedge, and they stopped the people's rush. A frenzied search of the vicinity followed, and a soldier discovered the Báb seated in the same room where He had been lodged the night before, engaged in completing His interrupted conversation with His secretary. An expression of unruffled calm was upon His face, unscathed from the shower of bullets which the regiment had directed against Him. The soldier made a cut at the Báb with his sword, and the others, seeing the pool of red blood flowing from their unresisting victim, lost their fear and they hastened to complete their work of death. "I have finished My conversation with My secretary," the Báb told the Chief Aide: "now you may proceed to fulfil your intention." The Chief Aide, recalling His Prisoner's bold assertion previously made, was too much shaken to resume what he had already attempted. Refusing to accomplish his duty, he abandoned the scene in terror and resigned his post. The Colonel of the Regiment, stunned by the force of this tremendous

revelation and recalling the reassuring words the Báb had made him, ordered his men to leave the barracks immediately, and refused ever again to associate himself or his regiment with any act that would involve the least injury to the Báb, swearing he had performed his order, and would never resume the task though it should entail the loss of his own life.

Suspension 2 No sooner had they departed, than the Colonel of the Bodyguard stepped forth and volunteered to continue the order for execution. The Báb was dragged forcefully from the recess and being hit on the back of His head, shown before the crowd. An intense clamor arose at this moment as the onlookers saw the Báb free from His bonds and advancing towards them. The soldiers held up to the people's gaze the broken ropes. They again tied the Báb suspended to that fatal post, whilst the regiment formed in lines ready to open their fire. It was now two hours after the execution had opened. This time, the Báb was not silent. "Had you believed in Me, O wayward generation," were the last words of the Báb in Persian to the gazing multitude, as the regiment prepared to fire the final volley, "every one of you would have followed the example of this youth, who stood in rank above most of you, and willingly would sacrifice himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognized Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you." Suddenly the orders were given to fire, and that holy Spirit, yielding from its gentle frame, ascended to the Supreme Horizon. Their breasts were riddled and limbs completely dissected by the bullets, their bodies shattered and blended into one mass of mingled flesh and bone; yet their faces remained untouched, a smile still lingering upon the Báb's face, and the arms and head of His companion holding Him in an embrace. The crowd, vividly impressed by the spectacle they had so strangely witnessed, dispersed slowly, hardly convinced that the Báb was a criminal.

Natural Wonders As the shots were fired, a gale of exceptional severity rose up and swept over the whole city, and a whirlwind of dust of incredible density obscured the light of the sun and blinded the eyes of the people. The entire city remained enveloped in that darkness from noon right until the black of night took over.

1Anis'

fate is intentionally left ambiguous, to reflect the differing historical sources, which variously present him as killed, wounded or unharmed. See the link to notes at the end for an exploration. Martyrdom of the Báb

4 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00

Evening Guard In the evening, by order of the Prime Minister's brother, the mangled bodies of the Báb and His companion were lowered, ropes tied to their legs, and removed from the courtyard of the barracks they were dragged through the streets and the bazaar to the gate of the main street. Reaching the edge of the city, they passed through the gate and threw the bodies into the city ditch opposite the middle tower, to feed the dogs and jackals, the body of the Báb left lying on its left side. Forty soldiers were ordered to keep watch over them in turn to prevent anyone attempting to retrieve the precious remains. Not far away, two Bábis, under the veil of pretended madness, kept vigil throughout the night.

Russian Consul Drawing - Next Day The next morning, the Emperor of Russia requested his consul in the city to investigate fully all these circumstances. He went to that spot with an artist, and an accurate drawing was made of the remains, as they lay beside the moat.

Bodies Stolen - Second Night That night at midnight, one renowned for his exploits appeared before the soldiers with a few others, holding out the offer of an exceptionally large bribe in the one hand and a sword in the other. The guards, greedy for gain and fearing for their lives, chose the large sum of money and surrendered the bodies, which still remained entirely fresh, and these men faithfully handed the two bodies over to one of the Báb's followers, who transferred them out to a Silk Factory, removed their shirts and clothes and enshrouded them in fine silk, and then hid them under bales of silk; the next day the Báb's followers made a casket which they placed them in, and at the order of Bahá'u'lláh conveyed it secretly to the capital Tihran.

Official Explanation for Bodies Stolen On the next day, the bodies were discovered missing, and the guards had to explain where they had gone; so they pretended the wild beasts had carried them away. Their superiors, fearing a rebuke if it were known the bodies had been stolen, endorsed and spread the story abroad, and the clergy jubilantly proclaimed it from their high pulpits, since a holy person, it was believed, would never be devoured by beasts of prey. The followers of the Báb were in their turn very happy with these stories being spread, for it meant the matter would not be followed up.

Conclusion

remains of the Báb and Anis eventually reached the Holy Land, where they attained their eventual rest.

A Comparison of Jesus and the Báb Anyone reading the martyrdoms of both Jesus and the Báb, will notice some very intriguing similarities... • The age of the Báb and length of His mission are similar to those of Jesus. • Both had farcical trials with predictable conclusions. • The Báb is put to death on the eve of Ramadan, exactly as Jesus is martyred on the eve of Sabbath and the Passover, for the same reasons. • The Báb being paraded through town on an ass recalls Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. • The Báb met His martyrdom at noon, which is the time Jesus was taken away to His death in John. • Both are suspended in the air, have one fellowcompanion going to Paradise, and the same words are uttered for their going there. • The Báb instructs His disciples to deny their faith, much as Jesus' disciples fled and denied Him in order for His faith to continue. • Both the Báb and Jesus demonstrate a power over martyrdom that shows it was a voluntary death. • Both are struck by a sword / spear. • The disappearance of the Báb before the people, is similar to Jesus' disappearance from the tomb. • A long darkness (and other natural wonders) follows the deaths of both the Báb and Jesus. • Guards are posted over both the Báb's and Jesus' bodies so that their bodies are not taken, but both fail in their jobs. • The bodies of both the Báb and Jesus are both found disappeared on the third day. • In both cases a report is spread abroad to cover the disappearance.

Info Author : David Merrick, Edinburgh All comments appreciated : [email protected] This Version : 2009-07-08 16:00 Latest Version : http://www.paintdrawer.co.uk/david/folders/Spir ituality/005=Collections/holydays.htm See Also : Sources • Comparison with Nabil's Account • Other Stories Photos and a map follow on the next page.

After a great many years and a very long journey, being transported secretly from place to place, the Martyrdom of the Báb

5 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00

Citadel of Tabriz 11 -5

Mah Ku 66 -9

Chihriq 10

Martyrdom of the Báb

6 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00

Images are referred left to right, top to bottom

Previous Page

x

Images 11-5 : Tabriz Citadel where the Báb was imprisoned 40 days en route to Mah Ku. In the second Image, X marks the Báb's Cell, Images 3-5 are the Báb's Cell. Images 66-9 : Mah Ku, where the Báb was incarcerated. Image 10 : Chihriq, where the Báb was imprisoned.

This Page Top : The Barracks of Tabriz where the Báb was martyred (the spot is marked by a red X) Middle : Close by being used as a market.

Chihriq

Bottom : Map showing the place of birth (Shíráz), public declaration (Mecca) and martyrdom (Tabriz) of the Báb, as well as Máh Kú and Chihriq.

Mah Ku Tabriz

Shiraz

Mecca Martyrdom of the Báb

7 of 7

2009.07.08 16:00