"I stand, life in hand, ready; that perchance, through God's loving-kindness and grace, this revealed and manifest Letter may lay down his life as a sacrifice in the path of the Primal Point, the Most Exalted Word." --Bahá'u'lláh.

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL PERSIAN
AND EDITED BY
SHOGHI EFFENDI

BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST
WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 1970

COPYRIGHT © 1932, BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Library of Congress Catalog No.32-8946

To The Greatest Holy Leaf The Last Survivor of a Glorious and Heroic Age I Dedicate This Work in Token of a Great Debt of Gratitude and Love

THE DAWN-BREAKERS

General Table of Contents

(Click here to jump to a specific page or click here to see and jump to specific pages sorted by chapters.)

List of Illustrations
Introduction
Persia's State of Decadence in the Middle of the Nineteenth Century
Bahá'u'lláh's Tribute to the Báb and His Chief Disciples
Distinguishing Features of Shí'ah Islám
Theory and Administration of Law in Persia in the Middle of the Nineteenth Century
Key to the Genealogy of the Báb
The Qájár Dynasty
Acknowledgment
Preface
Epilogue
Appendix
Glossary
Map of Persia

Principal Table of Contents

PART ONE: PRE-REVELATION DAYS

CHAPTER I: THE MISSION OF SHAYKH AHMAD-I-AHSA'I
CHAPTER II: THE MISSION OF SIYYID KAZIM-I-RASHTI

PART TWO: THE REVELATION OF THE BAB

CHAPTER III: THE DECLARATION OF THE BAB'S MISSION
- The arrival of Mulla Husayn in Karbila 47
- Significance of the year '60 48
- Departure of Mulla Husayn for Najaf and Bushihr 50
- Interview of Mulla Husayn with the Bab in Shiraz 52
- Arrival of Mulla Aliy-i-Bastami and his companions in Shiraz 66
- Arrival of Quddus in Shiraz 69
- The early days of the Bab 72
  - a. His birth 72
  - b. His school-days 75
  - c. His marriage 76
  - d. His stay in Bushihr 77
- Letters of the Living 80
- Reference to Tahirih 81
- Explanation of the term Bala-Sari 84
- Dismissal of Mulla Husayn 85
- Departure of Mulla Aliy-i-Bastami from Shiraz 87
- Story of Abdu'l-Vahhab 87
- Sufferings of Mulla Aliy-i-Bastami 89
- The Bab's farewell address to the Letters of the Living 92
- The Bab's parting words to Mulla Husayn 96
CHAPTER IV: MULLA HUSAYN'S JOURNEY TO TIHRAN
- Visit of Mulla Husayn to Isfahan 97
- His stay in Kashan and Qum 101
- His experiences in Tihran 101
  - a. His relations with Haji Mirza Muhammad-i-Khurasani 102
  - b. His meeting with Mulla Muhammad-i-Nuri, and his message to Bahá'u'lláh 104
CHAPTER V: BAHA'U'LLAH'S JOURNEY TO MAZINDARAN
- His reference to Mirza Buzurg 109
- His visit to Nur prior to Mulla Husayn's arrival in Tihran 111
  - a. His meeting with Mirza Muhammad-Taqiy-i-Nuri 111
  - b. The two dreams of Mirza Muhammad-Taqiy-i-Nuri 111
- His visit to Nur after Mulla Husayn's arrival in Tihran 112
  - a. His relations with His uncle Aziz 113
  - b. His meeting with Mulla Muhammad 113
  - c. His conversation with a dervish 117
  - d. The effects of Bahá'u'lláh's visit to Nur 118
- The Vazir's dream of Bahá'u'lláh 119
- The relations of Bahá'u'lláh with Haji Mirza Aqasi 120
CHAPTER VI: MULLA HUSAYN'S JOURNEY TO KHURASAN
- The instructions of the Bab to the Letters of the Living 123
- The first believers of Khurasan 125
- Mulla Husayn's letter to the Bab 126
CHAPTER VII: THE BAB'S PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA AND MEDINA
- Incident related by Haji Abu'l-Hasan-i-Shirazi 130
- Reference to Journey in the Persian Bayan 130
- Arrival at Jaddih, and an incident on the way to Mecca 132
- The circumambulation of the Ka'bih by the Bab 134
- His declaration to Mirza Muhit-i-Kirmani 134
- His message to the Sherif of Mecca, and the account related by Haji Niyaz-i-Baghdadi 138
- His visit to Medina 140
CHAPTER VIII: THE BAB'S STAY IN SHIRAZ AFTER THE PILGRIMAGE
- The Bab's return to Bushihr and farewell to Quddus 142
- Visit of Quddus to the Bab's maternal uncle in Shiraz 143
- Meeting of Quddus with Mulla Sadiq-i-Khurasani 144
- Afflictions which befell Quddus and Mulla Sadiq 145
  - a. Interrogation by Husayn Khan of Mulla Sadiq 146
  - b. Account of an eye-witness regarding the persecution 147
- Return of the Bab to Shiraz 150
  - a. Incident related by leader of the Bab's escort 150
  - b. The Bab's meeting with Husayn Khan 151
  - c. Declaration of the Bab in the Masjid-i-Vakil 154
- Reference to those who embraced the Faith in Shiraz 156
- The Bab's communication to the believers in Karbila 158
- Arrival of the believers at Kangavar, and their meeting with Mulla Husayn 159
- Their departure with Mulla Husayn for Isfahan 159
- Departure of Mulla Husayn for Shiraz 160
- Arrival of six believers at Shiraz 161
- Account related by Mulla Abdu'l-Karim-i-Qazvini 162
- Meeting of Nabil with Mulla Abdu'l-Karim-i-Qazvini 169
CHAPTER IX: THE BAB'S STAY IN SHIRAZ AFTER THE PILGRIMAGE (Continued)
- Departure of Mulla Husayn for Khurasan 170
- Siyyid Yahya's interviews with the Bab 173
- Conversion of Mulla Muhammad-'Aliy-i-Zanjani 178
- Visits of Quddus to Kirman, Tihran, and Mazindaran 179
  - a. His relations with Haji Siyyid Javad-i-Kirmani 180
  - b. His visit to Tihran 182
  - c. His stay in Barfurush 183
- Visit of Mulla Sadiq to Yazd 184
  - a. His relations with Mirza Ahmad-i-Azghandi 184
  - b. His experience in the Masjid of Yazd 186
- Sufferings of Mulla Yusuf-i-Ardibili and others 187
- Reference to Haji Siyyid Javad-i-Karbila'i 189
- Account related by Shaykh Sultan-i-Karbila'i 190
- Advent of the second Naw-Ruz 191
- References to the mother and to the wife of the Bab 191
- Husayn Khan's activities 194
  - a. Report of the chief of his emissaries 194
  - b. Husayn Khan's directions to Abdu'l-Hamid Khan 195
- Arrest of the Bab, and outbreak of the plague 196
  - a. Flight of Husayn Khan 196
  - b. Recovery of the son of Abdu'l-Hamid Khan 197
  - c. Release of the Bab 197
- Farewell of the Bab to His relatives, and His departure from Shiraz 198
CHAPTER X: THE BAB'S SOJOURN IN ISFAHAN
- His letter to Manuchihr Khan 199
- The welcome extended by the Imam-Jum'ih 201
  - a. Honours accorded by the people to the Bab 202
  - b. Deference shown the Bab by the Imam-Jum'ih 202
  - c. The Bab's commentary on the Surih of Va'l-'Asr 202
  - d. The Bab's interview with Manuchihr Khan 203
- Fears of Haji Mirza Aqasi 204
- The Bab's visit to Manuchihr Khan 205
- Reference to Mulla Muhammad-Taqiy-i-Hirati 208
- Banquet offered to the Bab by Mirza Ibrahim 208
- Death warrant of the Bab issued by the ulamas of Isfahan 209
- The plan of Manuchihr Khan for the departure and return of the Bab to Isfahan 211
- Meeting of the believers with the Bab 212
- The Bab's prediction of the approaching death of Manuchihr Khan 213
- Last days of Manuchihr Khan 214
- Dismissal of the believers 214
- Gurgin Khan's communication to Muhammad Shah 215
- Departure of the Bab for Kashan 216
CHAPTER XI: THE BAB'S STAY IN KASHAN
- Dream of Haji Mirza Jani 217
- The Bab's three days at the home of Haji Mirza Jani 219
  - a. Reference to Siyyid Abdu'l-Baqir 221
  - b. The meeting of Mihdi with the Bab 221
CHAPTER XII: THE BAB'S JOURNEY FROM KASHAN TO TABRIZ
- His approach to Qum 223
- His stay at the village of Qumrud 224
- His arrival at the fortress of Kinar-Gird 225
- His stay at the village of Kulayn 226
  - a. Arrival of a number of believers 227
  - b. Joy of the Bab at the gift and message from Bahá'u'lláh 227
  - c. An incident of the journey 228
  - d. Muhammad Shah's letter to the Bab 229
  - e. Fears, designs, and Motives of Haji Mirza Aqasi 231
- Last stage of the Bab's journey to Tabriz 235
  - a. Arrival of the believers at the village Siyah-Dihan 235
  - b. Intervention of Hujjat-i-Zanjani 236
  - c. The Bab's farewell to His guards 236
  - d. The Bab welcomed by His youthful disciple 237
- The Bab's arrival at Tabriz 239
CHAPTER XIII: THE BAB'S INCARCERATION IN THE CASTLE OF MAH-KU
- Account related by Siyyid Husayn-i-Yazdi 243
- Situation of Mah-Ku, and character of its people 243
- Attachment of inhabitants of Mah-Ku to the Bab 244
- Arrival of Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunuzi, and the Bab's message to him 245
- Dream of Ali Khan-i-Mah-Ku 247
- Change in the attitude of Ali Khan 247
- Reference to the Persian Bayan 248
- Visit of the Bab's disciples to Mah-Ku 250
- Incidents in the life of the Bab at Mah-Ku 252
- Dream of the Bab prior to the declaration of His Mission 253
- Misfortunes befall Muhammad Shah and his government 253
- Departure of Mulla Husayn from Mashhad on his pilgrimage to Mah-Ku 254
  - a. Motive of his departure 254
  - b. His visit to Tihran 255
  - c. His arrival at Mah-Ku and dream of Ali Khan 256
- Words of the Bab to Mulla Husayn 258
- Accusation against Ali Khan, and the Bab's consequent transference to Chihriq 259
- Farewell of the Bab to Mulla Husayn 260
CHAPTER XIV: MULLA HUSAYN'S JOURNEY TO MAZINDARAN
- Departure of Mulla Husayn for Tihran 261
- His stay at the home of Quddus in Barfurush 261
- Observations regarding Haji Mirza Aqasi and Mulla Husayn 263
- Instructions of Quddus to Mulla Husayn 265
- Interview of Mulla Husayn with the Sa'idu'l-'Ulama' 266
- Departure of Mulla Husayn, and his arrival at Mashhad 267
CHAPTER XV: TAHIRIH'S JOURNEY FROM KARBILA TO KHURASAN
- Allusion to Bahá'u'lláh 269
- Epistle of the Bab to the believers 269
- Response of Tahirih to the appeal of the Bab 270
  - a. Her Activities in Karbila 270
  - b. Her activities in Baghdad 271
  - c. Her stay in Kirmanshah and Hamadan 272
  - d. Her confinement in Qazvin 273
    - (1) Her reply to Mulla Muhammad 273
    - (2) Arrival of Mulla Abdu'llah, and murder of Mulla Taqi 276
    - (3) Imprisonment of the accused in Tihran, and intervention and confinement of Bahá'u'lláh 278
    - (4) Appeal to Muhammad Shah 280
    - (5) Execution of first Bahá'í martyr in Persia 280
    - (6) Attitude of Haji Mirza Aqasi, and intervention of Sadr-i-Ardibili 280
    - (7) Massacre of Qazvin 282
    - (8) Effects of the massacre in Tihran 283
  - e. Her deliverance by Bahá'u'lláh 284
    - (1) Her removal to Tihran 284
    - (2) Effects of her departure from Qazvin 285
    - (3) Her attitude towards the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh 285
  - f. Her departure for Khurasan 286
    - (1) Instructions of Bahá'u'lláh to Aqay-i-Kalim 286
    - (2) Her departure from Tihran 287
CHAPTER XVI: THE CONFERENCE OF BADASHT
- Departure of Bahá'u'lláh from Tihran 288
- The Disturbances at Mashhad 288
- Departure of Quddus for Mazindaran 290
- Meeting of Bahá'u'lláh with Quddus in Shah-Rud 292
- Their arrival at Badasht 293
  - a. Significance of the gathering in Badasht 293
  - b. Incident related by Shaykh Abu-Turab 293
  - c. Differences among the believers 297
  - d. Reconciliation achieved by Bahá'u'lláh 297
  - e. Departure from Badasht 298
- The incident in Niyala as related by Bahá'u'lláh 299
- Outcome of that incident 300
CHAPTER XVII: THE BAB'S INCARCERATION IN THE CASTLE OF CHIHRIQ
- Attitude of the people of Chihriq towards the Bab 302
- The Bab's instructions to an attendant 303
- Acceptance of the Message by ulamas and government officials 303
  - a. Mirza Muhammad-'Ali and his brother 303
  - b. Mirza Asadu'llah 304
  - c. A dervish from India 305
- Believers dismissed from Chihriq 306
- Incident concerning Mirza Muhammad-'Ali 307
CHAPTER XVIII: EXAMINATION OF THE BAB AT TABRIZ
- His visit to Urumiyyih 309
- His arrival at Tabriz 311
- His examination by the ulamas 315
- Indignity inflicted upon Him 319
- His return to Chihriq, and His epistle to Haji Mirza Aqasi 323
CHAPTER XIX: THE MAZINDARAN UPHEAVAL
- Mulla Husayn's departure from Mashhad 324
- Death of Muhammad Shah 327
- The Sa'idu'l-'Ulama's appeal to the people of Barfurush 328
- Attack by the people of Barfurush on Mulla Husayn and his companions 329
- Repulse of the attack by Mulla Husayn 330
- Account related by Mirza Muhammad-i-Furughi 332
- Surrender of the people of Barfurush 336
- Renewed attempts by Mulla Husayn's companions to sound the adhan 338
- Sortie from the caravanserai of the Sabzih-Maydan 338
- Intercession of the notables of Barfurush 339
- Instructions given to Khusraw-i-Qadi-Ka'la 339
- Incident in the forest of Mazindaran 342
- Arrival at the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi 343
- Dream of the guardian of the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi 344
- Attack and repulse of the horsemen of Qadi-Kala 345
- Visit of Bahá'u'lláh to the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi 348
- Liberation of Quddus
- Reference to the Black Standards 351
- Confinement of Quddus in the house of Mirza Muhammad-Taqi 351
- Arrival of Quddus at the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi 352
- Account related by Mirza Muhammad-i-Furughi 353
- Incidents in the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi concerning Quddus 355
- The Sa'idu'l-'Ulama's appeal to Nasiri'd-Din Shah 358
- Encampment of the army of Abdu'llah Khan-i-Turkaman near the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi 360
- First sortie from the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi 362
- Message of Prince Mihdi-Quli Mirza to Mulla Husayn 363
- Second sortie from the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi 366
- Injury sustained by Quddus 367
- Bahá'u'lláh's attempt to join the occupants of the fort of Shaykh Tabarsi 368
- Reference to Bahá'u'lláh's activities prior to the declaration of His Mission 372
CHAPTER XX: THE MAZINDARAN UPHEAVAL (Continued)
- Third sortie, and fall of Mulla Husayn 378
- Mulla Husayn's last moments 379
- Reference to his burial and achievements 381
- Quddus' warning to his companions 382
- Betrayal by Siyyid Husayn-i-Mutavalli 384
- Attack by Abbas-Quli Khan-i-Larijani 386
- Fourth sortie, and complete rout of the enemy 387
- Despatch of artillery from Tihran 389
- Distress of the besieged 389
- Exhortations of Quddus to his companions 391
- Fifth sortie, and death of Ja'far-Quli Khan 394
- Increasing distress of the companions 395
- A declaration by Quddus 396
- Sixth and last sortie 396
- Deliberation of the prince with chiefs of his staff 396
- Incident related by Aqay-i-Kalim 397
- Desertion and capture of a number of the companions 398
- Oath taken by the prince to ensure safety of the besieged 399
- Abandonment of the fort 400
- Capture of a number of the companions 403
- General massacre 404
- Fate of three of the companions 404
- Martyrdom of Quddus 410
- List of the martyrs 414
CHAPTER XXI: THE SEVEN MARTYRS OF TIHRAN
- Effects of the Mazindaran disaster on the Bab 430
- Despatch of Sayyah to the Shrine of Tabarsi 432
- The visit of Sayyah to Tihran, and meeting with Bahá'u'lláh 433
- Account of Nabil's early life 434
- Execution of the Seven Martyrs 436
  - a. Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali 436
  - b. Mirza Qurban-'Ali 449
  - c. Haji Mulla Isma'il-i-Qumi 453
  - d. Siyyid Husayn-i-Turshizi 455
  - e. Haji Muhammad-Taqiy-i-Kirmani 457
  - f. Siyyid Murtada 458
  - g. Muhammad-Husayn-i-Maraghi'i 458
- Incidents related by Bahá'u'lláh 459
- Burial of the Seven Martyrs 463
CHAPTER XXII: THE NAYRIZ UPHEAVAL
- Journey of Vahid to Tihran and Yazd 465
- Celebration of the Feast of Naw-Ruz in Yazd 466
- Activities of the Navvab-i-Radavi 467
- Tumult and dispersal of the enemy 469
- Declaration of Vahid to the people of Yazd 469
- Repulse of the forces near the fort of Narin 470
- Proclamation of Vahid to the inhabitants of Yazd 472
- Sortie ordered by Vahid 472
- Departure of Vahid's wife for her father's home 473
- Vahid's instructions to his servant Hasan 474
- Vahid's departure for Nayriz 474
- Vahid's appeal to the people of Nayriz 479
- First sortie from the fort of Khajih 481
- Second sortie from the fort of Khajih 483
- Division of labour in the fort 483
- Interception of Zaynu'l-'Abidin Khan's message 484
- Renewed appeal to Prince Firuz Mirza 485
- Third sortie from the fort of Khajih 486
- Names of martyrs 487
- Oath taken by enemy to conclude peace 488
- Vahid's response to the enemy's invitation 489
- Vahid's message to his companions, and treachery of Haji Siyyid Abid 490
- Capture of the companions 493
- Martyrdom of Vahid 494
- Fate of Vahid's companions 495
CHAPTER XXIII: MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB
- Motives of the Amir-Nizam for execution of the Bab 500
- Order of the Amir-Nizam to Navvab Hamzih Mirza 504
- Disposal by the Bab of His documents 504
- Arrival of the Bab at Tabriz 506
- Order issued by the Amir-Nizam 506
- Confinement of the Bab in the barracks 507
- Incident related by Siyyid Husayn 507
- The Bab's warning to the Farrash-Bashi 509
- Mirza Muhammad-'Ali's refusal to recant 509
- Issue of the Bab's death-warrants 510
- Sam Khan's request from the Bab 512
- The Bab's miraculous escape 513
- Resignation of the Farrash-Bashi 513
- Resignation of Sam Khan 514
- Renewed and final attempt on the Bab's life 517
- Account related by Haji Ali-'Askar 518
- Transference of the Bab's remains to Tihran 519
- Reference to Mirza Aqa Khan-i-Nuri 522
- Effects of the Bab's martyrdom 523
CHAPTER XXIV: THE ZANJAN UPHEAVAL
- Reference to the Bab's afflictions 527
- Activities of Hujjat prior to his conversion 529
- Hujjat's acceptance of the Bab's Message 531
- Hujjat accused and summoned to Tihran 531
- The Bab's message to Hujjat 533
- Renewed complaints against Hujjat, and his transference to Tihran 534
- The Bab's arrival at Zanjan and departure for Tabriz 534
- Hujjat's incarceration in Tihran 537
- Hujjat's escape to Zanjan 539
- The occasion for the enemy's attack on Hujjat and his companions 540
- The enemy's preparation for renewed assault 543
- Hujjat's entry into the fort of Ali-Mardan Khan 545
- Assault attempted by a siyyid 546
- Hujjat's admonitions to his companions 546
- Sadru'd-Dawlih commissioned by the Amir-Nizam to lay siege to the fort 547
- The sufferings, labours, and temptations of the besieged 548
- Heroism of Zaynab, a village maiden 550
- Effects of the shouted prayers of the companions 553
- Hujjat's petition to Nasiri'd-Din Shah 554
- Arrest of bearer of petition, and despatch of reinforcements 555
- Effect on the companions of the news of the Bab's martyrdom 556
- Despatch of the Amir-Tuman with further reinforcements 556
- Meeting of Aziz Khan-i-Mukri with Hujjat 556
- Storming of the fort 557
- The Amir-Nizam's warning to the Amir-Tuman 558
- Repulse of the combined forces of the enemy 558
- Death of Muhsin 560
- Nuptial celebrations in the fort 561
- Death of five sons of Karbila'i Abdu'l-Baqi 561
- Umm-i-Ashraf's heroism 562
- Assistance rendered by the women 563
- Amir-Tuman's attempt to deceive the companions 564
- Hujjat's advice to his companions 567
- Resumption of the enemy's offensive 567
- Wound sustained by Hujjat 569
- Capture of the fort, and its effects upon the besieged 570
- Repulse of further attacks on the companions 570
- Consultation of the Amir-Tuman with his staff 571
- Driving of underground passages 572
- Death of Hujjat's wife and child 572
- Death of Hujjat, and his interment 573
- Last encounter 573
- Treatment of survivors 574
- Indignities inflicted on Hujjat's body, and fate of his kinsmen 578
- Number of martyrs 580
- Sources of information 580
CHAPTER XXV: BAHA'U'LLAH'S JOURNEY TO KARBILA AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
- Incidents related by Bahá'u'lláh 582
- Nabil's meeting with Mirza Ahmad and Bahá'u'lláh in Kirmanshah 587
- Reference to Siyyid Basir-i-Hindi 588
- Reason for Bahá'u'lláh's departure for Karbila 591
- Nabil's departure with Mirza Ahmad for Tihran 592
- Bahá'u'lláh's activities in Karbila 593
CHAPTER XXVI: ATTEMPT ON THE SHAH'S LIFE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
- Death of the Amir-Nizam 595
- Bahá'u'lláh's return to Tihran 596
- Bahá'u'lláh's meeting with Azim 599
- Attempt on the Shah's life 599
- Bahá'u'lláh's imprisonment in the Siyah-Chal 607
- Fate of would-be murderers 609
- Reign of terror 610
- Reference to Haji Sulayman Khan 610
- Reference to the Amir-Nizam's repentance 614
- Incident related by the Most Great Branch 616
- Haji Sulayman Khan's martyrdom 618
- Tahirih's martyrdom 626
- Siyyid Husayn's martyrdom 631
- Incidents in the Siyah-Chal, as related by Bahá'u'lláh 631
- Attempts to prove Bahá'u'lláh's complicity 635
- Azim's confession and death 637
- Bahá'u'lláh's possessions plundered in Mazindaran 637
- Effects of the turmoil in Yazd and Nayriz 642
- Bahá'u'lláh's release and banishment to Baghdad 650