Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: James J. Keene, The Dawn-Breakers Movie, bahai-library.com.
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THE DAWN-BREAKERS
Movie 1

by
James J Keene

© 2021 James J Keene

Posted as a sample at, and formatted for,
https://bahai-library.com/keene_dawnbreakers_movie . Purchase online at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0972QRRGF .
Preface

This book presents the screenplay for “The Dawn-Breakers” feature motion picture
and a variety of supporting documents. The producer of a movie project typically
starts with a concept, a briefly expressed idea, a quick answer to the question “What
is it about?” So a film project may start with a one-paragraph description of the
motion picture property:
THE DAWN-BREAKERS: Film Synopsis
Persia was sliding to the depths of a centuries long decline into
corruption and oppression, desperate for relief. A lone and unlettered
Youth, whose magnetic presence charms and subdues even the elite in
knowledge, power and the holy, aims at no less than the complete
renovation of the system they guarded. Opposed by every power this
Islamic state could marshal, that obscure Youth and an unusual band of
admirers persist in a mission, enthralling and convulsing an empire the
size of Europe, to the puzzlement of all, including the British and Russian
envoys, representing great powers of the day. These forces clash
confounding that empire by events that none, either then or today, could
have expected or controlled. The powers of Persia fail to stem the
influence of this Youth by isolation in a remote mountain prison fortress
and are unable to suppress the ardor of his adherents by massacres of
thousands. Finally, they attempt to execute the Youth. We see his
ultimate triumph, the most stunning and miraculous events surrounding
the execution of any personage in all recorded history!
People may be too busy read a whole paragraph. So one-line descriptions may
stimulate interest:

THE DAWN-BREAKERS: One-Line Descriptions

PROVOCATIVE ADVENTURE THRILLER
• A penetrating insider's view of Iran.
• The explosive true story of the Babi movement in Iran.
• The remarkable true story of a real-life prophet in Iran.
• Iranians believe a prophet, martyred 1,000 years ago,
will return and claim all authority again.
• Explores contemporary issues as it tells the true story
of the extraordinary Babi movement in Iran.
• Islamic authorities in Iran fail to suppress the influence
of a young man turned modern-day prophet.
• An American missionary in Iran clings to the hope that Christ will
return on a cloud, as the true story of a real-life prophet unfolds.
• While the European powers jockey for position in Iran,
the revolutionary spirit of a young visionary
throws the corrupt empire into turmoil.

The producer may focus early on marketing for audiences of the finished movie and
for the talent and money required for production. The talent is the Director, actors
and the production staff. The money is the investors financing production. To recruit
talent and money for production, the project aims to stimulate interest:

THE DAWN-BREAKERS: Marketing
One could not invent a more moving or dramatic story. It had to be already there.
Fast-paced ACTION-ADVENTURE, with the added excitement that it really happened.
A SUSPENSE-THRILLER and MYSTERY, with the "thief in the night" free in your world.
Astonishing SPECIAL EFFECTS, with the added wonder that they were real events, the
most spectacular in all of human history.
Unforgettable CHARACTERS, they are real people.
The popular HISTORICAL genre, but its surprises and astounding climax are unique
and fresh, almost totally unknown to the public.
Why put so much into one film? So that it will be “must see” for an entire people? To
challenge the talent on both sides of the camera as never before? To create a "once in
a generation" film? Maybe. But it was already there!
This true story continues in our world. The first act was in Persia (Iran), a site of
intense current public interest, in that fascinating mid-nineteenth century period that
gave birth to our modern era. The worldwide economic depression of the 1840s,
startling astronomical events and forecasts of the "return of a prophet" combined to
nurture an agitated atmosphere.
An original screenplay by James J Keene is faithful to the historical facts. The music,
"Metamorphosis of the Owls," composed by the immensely talented Daniel Jordan, in
the classical style, features a beautiful oboe melody, will enrapture the viewer with the
grandeur of the events and sights shown, and may well be the best music for a major
screen presentation in years.
Stirring combinations of story, sight and sound create a memorable experience. The
diversity of film genres portends a sizable potential audience encompassing virtually all
market segments. Even a brief review reveals that the story of the Bab is
commensurate to the task.
Is there any limit here? How about visualization of market potential by writing
reviews of the film as if it was already in theaters and critics loved it?

THE DAWN-BREAKERS: Movie Review
TWO THUMBS UP FOR "THE DAWN-BREAKERS"

A young man confronts an evil empire and his only "weapon" is a spiritual force.
Taken to another time and another place as in the fictional "Star Wars," we find
ourselves both far from and near to home. But this time, "The Dawn-Breakers" tells a
true story and thrusts us into a gripping insider's view of a truly mysterious place,
Iran.

It had to happen. Every time Western experts expect "A," Iran fakes, catches us off
guard and scores by doing "B." What's with these people? This film shows the inner
workings of the place and its people; our people are lining up to see it.
Third-generation film producer, Jim Keene, chose perhaps the most dramatic and
controversial episode in recent Iranian history -- the extraordinary Babi movement.
It's 1843. The earth is agitated by the birth pangs of our modern era amid worldwide
economic depression. The skies above have gone crazy. In one event, the biggest
comet ever is so bright that it is seen at noon. And, have you forgotten? Christians
were literally climbing mountains to view the expected return of Christ.

The young man is a seemingly fragile, uneducated and unknown shopkeeper who
adopts the title of "the Bab," meaning "gateway" to a new era of history. There was
only one problem. The population of Iran (then known as Persia) was also expecting
the return of a prophet.

"The premise of a modern-day prophet seems preposterous and even perverse,"
Keene chuckled. "In view of current conflicts, who would have thought that Moslems
and Christians would be expecting a prophet at the same time?" It's the ultimate
triangle: two antagonistic groups share one prophet.
So what happens when the boy next door says he is a prophet and the country is
Iran? The Bab instantly becomes an object of intense fascination to Christian
observers and is branded as a heretic by the corrupt Islamic empire of Persia, then the
size of Europe. We can hardly catch our breath as the Bab escapes death time and
again, is imprisoned in a remote mountain fortress and finally triumphs in what is
billed as "the most astounding execution sequence ever filmed."
We see unexpected and uncontrollable events unfold through the eyes of key players
in this historical epic. Husayn leads a small band of starving Babis -- "a handful of
students and old men" -- to hold off an army of 15,000. They remain undefeated after
six months (how long did they last at "The Alamo?"). There is the beautiful Babi
poetess, Tahirih, who is offered 12,000 men to march on the capital at Tehran and
who enjoys even today a world-wide reputation as an early woman's rights activist
(and martyr) under the worst of circumstances.
The rat-faced Persian Prime Minister is so pathetic it is almost comic. His plots to kill
the Bab cannot get the job done as hundreds of thousands embrace the Bab's
revolutionary vision for a new world. While the hysteria builds, American missionary
Austin Wright is mystified by the fearless Babis, as he clings to the hope that Christ
will descend on a cloud.
And, of course, the British and Russians were jockeying for position in Iran then, as
the Americans and Russians are now. But the Babis stay one step ahead of what
anybody can imagine. The Russians fear upheaval as the Babis spread into their
territory. At one point, the British envoy, Maj. Justin Sheil, sums up the spectacle, "It
defies all rational expectation."

"The Dawn-Breakers" -- the right movie at the right time -- is a true story you can
take home and chew on. "It dawned on us that we may have a hit," Keene said,
"when a Hollywood producer told us that this story was 'too hot to handle.'"
Of course, visualizations of reviews by critics can be featured in the advertising:

THE DAWN-BREAKERS Review Quotes
Hoping to stimulate further interest by distributors of the film project, write hooks
that may be used in advertising:
How does a producer get started with a project? Let’s go back to a visit with my
father, Rogers C Keene, whose life-time career in the motion picture industry spanned
from child actor to editor and director to top executive in the then ninth largest film
production and distribution company, Grand National Films, Inc., to independent film
producer. I pitched “The Dawn-Breakers” concept to him and asked what I needed to
do to get going on the project. “Well, Jim,” he replied, “you need a script.” The script
is like the blueprint for the project, much like an architectural design defines a
building.
To write a script, it helps to know the story being told. Although there are a number
of books recounting the general story of the Babis, it became clear that nobody had
actually written a comprehensive chronology. Existing literature often focused on
various episodes without clear description of the exact sequence of events. For
example, if a person appears in several events, often one may ask which event
occurred first, the time interval between events and how the person traveled between
different event locations. In short, before a script could be written, the goal of
historical accuracy required a chronology of events compiled from historical sources
(Appendix A) and the chronology content expressed as a story outline (Appendix B).
This was the first summary of the Babi story known to the author leading to a longer
version than the one-line and one-paragraph descriptions presented above. This three
page version of “The Dawn-Breakers” story may be found in Appendix C, since it may
be a spoiler if read before the script. In fact, this story description was written after
the script was finished. What is going on here?
A film script describes what the audience sees and hears. With sights and sounds, it
presents what the audience (or reader) will experience. A major part of “The Dawn-
Breakers” experience is a panoramic view of the Babi story, filled with mystery,
intrigue, adventure, surprises and chaos. You name it – this film has it. To borrow a
favorite term of computer gamers, “The Dawn-Breakers” is immersive. The script
attempts to deeply involve the audience in the events shown. Success might be
measured by how much the audience ponders, “What is going on here?”
Reading a screenplay invokes imagination of what one sees and hears in each scene.
The reader may pretend to be the Director of the movie. What does the script say on
what is seen and heard? That is all you have to work with. As the scriptwriter, I
actually see and hear the finished movie as I look at the script. What do you see and
hear, if you were in the audience or directing the film?
Using a stopwatch, each scene was timed and the total run-time is over three hours –
probably too long for even an epic film. Hence, a theatrical version might use an
abridged script. Another alternative is to produce a mini-series with three or four
episodes to present the entire story.
The script represents how the story is told – called the plot or treatment (Appendix
D). Film fans are familiar with many plot devices, such as flashbacks, dream
sequences, start at the end and then go back to the beginning, etc. With the many
complicated features of the story – the many players in a chaotic, revolutionary era
(Appendix E) – it turned out that the best presentation might simply follow the
chronology (Appendix B). That is, the historical time-line of the story was followed. As
the audience puts the puzzle pieces together, at least it can say, “What I’m taking in
now follows what I’ve already seen.”
Many production units design or contribute to a motion picture treatment of a story.
For example, pre-production sketches of characters may guide hair, make-up and
costume units (Appendix F).
Finally, some information on project development (Appendix G) and the Keene family
(Appendix H) is summarized.
James J Keene
July 9, 2021
Contents

THE DAWN-BREAKERS

Appendix A: Dawn-Breakers Chronology

Appendix B: Dawn-Breakers Story Outline

Appendix C: Dawn-Breakers Story

Appendix D: Dawn-Breakers Plot

Appendix E: Dawn-Breakers Cast

Appendix F: Dawn-Breakers Visualizations

Appendix G: Dawn-Breakers Project Summary

Appendix H: About Keene Family
THE DAWN-BREAKERS
by

James J Keene

SCRIPT PROPRIETARY MATERIAL

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS SCRIPT
IS PROPRIETARY TO JAMES J KEENE.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS SCRIPT IS NOT TO
BE SHOWN, REPRODUCED OR DISCLOSED
WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF AND
SHALL BE RETURNED TO JAMES J KEENE,
PORTSMOUTH, COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA
00109-8000

PHONES: 1-767-445-5837 AND 1-767-617-0324

COPYRIGHT 1986 James J Keene
WGA w #345215
www.copyright.gov
Registration Number: PA0000300365
Date: 1986-07-24
1 INSERT - CAPTION OVER BLACK SCREEN 1

This is the true story
of a Youth from Shiraz
known as the Bab.

MUSIC: the first movement of "Metamorphosis of the Owls"
by Daniel Jordan.

2 EXTERIOR - SHORE OF HAIFA PORT AT BASE OF MOUNT CARMEL - DAWN 2

BLACK AND WHITE FILM

CAPTION OVER: MOUNT CARMEL
Haifa, Israel
1843

At the Mediterranean shore of the small port of Haifa, Israel, we SEE
the sun rising over Mt. Carmel, a barren mass rising right from the
shore line. The VIEW rolls gracefully with the gentle sway of a 50
foot cargo boat, where WRIGHT and CAPTAIN sit on the stern rail. Four
arab locals are unloading sacks of grain: one in the hold, two on
deck, and one stacking the sacks on a cart on the small pier to which
the boat is moored. Meanwhile,

CAPTAIN
A long way from America.

WRIGHT
I can't believe I'm here.

CAPTAIN
Don't start on that again.

SOUNDS of dawn: rooster crows, a few voices, baby crying, etc, from
the few modest houses lining the street leading up the mountain; the
rhythmic thuds of the sacks, occasional "umphs" from the arabs
handling the heavy sacks.

AUSTIN H. WRIGHT: 32, an American Christian missionary, earnest
clean-shaven, a talker, seeks an audience.

CAPTAIN: unkempt beard, middle-aged British adventurer.

BEGIN CREDITS

MEDIUM SHOT of ARAB on deck throwing a 50 lb. sack to the pier. As it
leaves his hands, the SOUND of wood and rope under suddenly increased
tension is HEARD.

A CLOSE-UP of the line attaching the bow to the pier shows why; the
line has no slack and the bow rises increasing the tension as each
sack is off-loaded.
(CONTINUED)
2 (CONTINUED)
LONG SHOT from the bow of the boat shows WRIGHT and CAPTAIN seated on
the stern as the arabs move the sacks from boat hold to deck to pier
and cart. During these shots,

WRIGHT
People are buying white robes
in London ... to climb a
mountain like that.

CAPTAIN
(a skeptic)
These people are insane.

We SEE that ARAB listens to the conversation as he works.

WRIGHT
They're coming here. You'll
see!

As WRIGHT speaks, he gazes up at Mt. Carmel,

WRIGHT
It began in 1755 with the great
earthquake of Lisbon, Portugal.

WRIGHT'S VIEW. Mt. Carmel begins a slow roll as before as ARAB tosses
another sack off the boat.

CLOSE. The bow line is about to give way. SOUND: the rope unraveling
and slipping; the deck and pier cleats straining and wood creaking;
cargo shifting below deck; non-descript screams of a couple having an
argument in one of the nearby shacks; if all this SOUNDS like an
earthquake, blame it on the sound effects mixer, while WRIGHT says
the lines below.

BACK TO WRIGHT'S VIEW. Mt. Carmel stops its roll when the boat can no
longer move and WRIGHT finishes saying,

WRIGHT (O.S.)
This one ranks first among all
recorded earthquakes, killing
60,000 people in six minutes.

CLOSE. The bow-pier attachment gives way. The pier plank with the bow
mooring cleat detaches with breakage SOUNDS.

WIDER. The boat violently jerks up and down in a bobbing motion as
WRIGHT, almost going overboard, and CAPTAIN grip the stern rail.

CAPTAIN
Jesus.

CAPTAIN shakes his head in resignation as the ARABS hasten to
refasten the bow and a small swell from the sea SLAMS the
boat into the pier,
2 (CONTINUED)

WRIGHT
(impish smile)
Are we sinking?

CAPTAIN
(playful sarcasm)
Just an earthquake.

WRIGHT
Ah. Then in 1780 there was the
Dark Day. Imagine.

3 INSERT - FLASHBACK IN COLOR FILM 3

New York street with people looking up, circa 1780 (STOCK?).

The mid-day sun, perhaps one quarter of the frame height, begins to
darken.

CAPTAIN (O.S.)
An eclipse?

WRIGHT (O.S.)
No, the cause was not known.

As the sun and sky darken, star constellations appear.

New York people and animals react, run, look, etc (STOCK?).

The darkening sky makes the moon's position visible. PAN-ZOOM IN to
the moon slowly turning blood red as the sky has darkened and WRIGHT
has said,

WRIGHT (O.S.)
...but in the day-time darkness
the moon appeared red as blood.

4 EXTERIOR - BACK TO HAIFA PORT - DAWN 4

BLACK AND WHITE. We HEAR and SEE a few seagulls pass by.

WRIGHT looks for a reaction, but doesn't find much as the CAPTAIN
glances up at Mt. Carmel.

The sun has now arisen above the horizon in full VIEW. The sacks keep
thumping their way from boat hold to pier cart.
ARAB at midship is still listening,

WRIGHT
The third thing. The historic
shooting star displays of 1799
and 1833. I tell you. All

(CONTINUED)
4 (CONTINUED)
around the world, serious
people are preparing for the
sudden appearance of Christ
next year.

HEARING this, ARAB drops a sack of grain on the deck, as if it had
become electrified, and steps forward crying out in ARABIC,

ARAB
Shi'ihs are waiting for the
prophet in Karbala!

WRIGHT looks to CAPTAIN for the English translation,

CAPTAIN
The Muslims also are waiting
for their prophet to return
in Karbala.

Resuming his work, we find ARAB speaks a little English,

ARAB
Next year. Big trouble.

CAPTAIN
(closing eyes)
Descend from the clouds, eh?

5 EXTERIOR - COUNTRYSIDE NEAR HAMADAN, PERSIA - NIGHT 5

BACK TO COLOR

FLASHBACK shows the CAPTAIN, ten years younger, having a drink with
Lt. FRANCIS FARRANT, 25, and Lt. JUSTIN SHEIL, 29, each eleven years
younger than the two men we shall see in later scenes, where SHEIL is
Envoy, and FARRANT, is Secretary to the British Legation in Tehran
(1844). They are in a tent through which dancing light of camp fires
is SEEN and the depraved partying of Persian soldiers is HEARD in the
night.

CAPTAIN (V.O.)
Ten years ago in '33, Farrant,
Sheil and I were training the
Persian cavalry forces of Fath-
'Ali Shah. Suddenly there was
silence. We looked outside.

The FLASHBACK shows what the CAPTAIN said. They look up;.

5B INSERT THEIR POV

The cloudless sky of Nov 13, 1833 (northern hemisphere) is seen.
Against the constellations of fixed stars, with that of Leo seen

(CONTINUED)
5 (CONTINUED)

prominently, hundreds of shooting stars appear as flying sparks.

TITLE OVER: THE DAWN-BREAKERS

This is the famous "Leonid" meteor shower. SOUNDS are synchronized
with the dramatic burning of each entering meteor. The breaking up of
the meteorites is also HEARD. Several fireballs created by large
meteorites are truly breathtaking, followed by thunderclaps. The
MUSIC reaches a climactic moment (2:23 into the first movement of the
"Metamorphosis of the Owls"). This shooting star display was in fact
the biggest ever recorded in history.

CONTINUE IN COLOR
Appendix A: Dawn-Breakers Chronology

Note: This chronology is provided for use in activities directly related to The Dawn-
Breakers project. These are notes only and may not be comprehensible to persons
unfamiliar with the story. Events are cited only to establish chronological order; the
amount of detail is not indicative of either the importance of the event or whether or
not the event will be directly or indirectly depicted in the screenplay. Character names
are generally consistent in the notes; although characters were known by different
names by various people at different times.

NOTES ON CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS FOR THE DAWN-BREAKERS MOTION PICTURE

Events Prior to 1843

Bible Book of Revelation prophesied (1) a great earthquake, (2) the sun becoming
black and the moon red as blood, and (3) the stars of heaven falling to earth. (see
NKBR 30-;TITN 178-)

1753 Shaykh Ahmad born; 1st forerunner of the Bab

Nov 1, 1755 The great earthquake of Lisbon, Portugal, ranks first, in some respects,
among all recorded earthquakes, killing 60,000 people in six minutes.

1769 James Watt patented steam engine.

May 19, 1780 The Dark Day: darkness not caused by eclipse; cause not known at
time; moon had appearance of blood during sudden darkening of sky. An amusing
drama was reported in the Connecticut Legislature at Hartford. In session when the
sky suddenly darkened, there was much discussion that the Day of Judgment had
come. Speaking against a motion for adjournment, Col. Davenport said, "The Day of
Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for
adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that
candles be brought."

1788 Teheran becomes capital of Persia

1789 Siyyid Kazim born; 2nd forerunner of the Bab

1792 Eli Whitney--cotton gin

1799 Great shower of stars

1813 Birth of Hujjat & Mulla Husayn

1817 Birth of Tahirih

Nov 12, 1817 Birth of Baha'u'llah
Oct 20, 1819 Birth of the Bab

1821 Greek uprising

1824 The Bab receives some schooling starting at age 5.

1825 Nicholas I Tsar of Russia 1825-1855.
1825 Mulla Husayn, 12, finished religious studies in Bushruyih and continued studies in
Mashhad.

Jun 27 1826 Death of Shaykh Ahmad (1829?), who had proclaimed coming of Qa'im,
foretold by Muhammad.
1826 Russia invades Persia

1827 Russia defeats Persia; Russian troops occupy Tabriz
1827 Tahirih, 10, listens from behind curtain to father's classes, and corrects an error
in one of his lectures, breaking up the meeting!

1828 Haji Siyyid Javad encountered the Bab, 9, & family in Shiraz.
1828 Treaty of Turkomanchai gave Russia land North of Aras River

1830 Tahirih, 13, forced by custom to marry her cousin, son of a Mulla who was
brother of her father. But the cruel and arrogant husband of Tahirih was unable to
subdue her free spirit and outstanding intellect.

Jul 29, 1831 Nabil born DB 434
1831 Mulla Husayn and his mother, sister (Bibi-Kuchik), brother (Mirza Muhammad
Hasan) and nephew (Mirza Muhammad-Baqir), arrive in Karbala, where they studied
under Siyyid Kazim.

1832 The Bab "formal" schooling terminates before age 13.

1833 Isabella II installed in Spain 1833-1868 House of Bourbons.
1833 Lt.-Col. Francis Farrant trained cavalry force for Fath-'Ali Shah.
1833 Maj. Henry C. Rawlinson, 23, trains troops in Persia under 'Abbas Mirza up to
1839.

Nov 12, 1833 Historic shooting star display, fulfilling third prophecy of Revelation.

Sep 9, 1834 Muhammad Shah, assisted by Great Britain & Russia, obtained the Crown
in Persia, in Tabriz.

Late 1835 Haji Mirza Aqasi becomes Prime Minister of Persia.

1836 The Bab, 17, works in Uncle's firm in Bushihr as merchant.
1836 A converted Jew in Palestine, Joseph Wolff, predicted the Advent (of Christ) for
1847. (TN, 1)
Jun 12, 1837 William T. Thomson appointed paid Attaché to Persia. TBBR 525
1837 England: Queen Victoria (1837-1901) of House of Hanover replaces Frederick
William III (1797-1840).

1838 Atlantic Ocean crossed for 1st time by steam boat.
1838 Manuchihr Khan, Governor of Isfahan.
1838-1852 Lt.-Col. Samuel Hennell, Brit. Agent in Bushihr; involved in suppressing
slave trade in Persian Gulf. TBBR 505

1839 Count Meden replaces Count Simonich as Russian Envoy to Court of Persia.
1839 The Bab independently directed His business affairs in Bushihr.

Feb 13, 1840 Vision of Mulla 'Abdu'l-Karim in Qazvin DB 167
1840 Prussia: King Frederick William IV (1840-1861) replaces Frederick William III
(1797-1840).
1840 First incandescent electrical lamp.
1840 Mirza Muhammad-Rida, Brit. Consular Agent in Shiraz.
1840-1860 Austin H. Wright, 29, American missionary in Urumiyyih.
1840 Sir Henry Layard, Brit. Under-Sec. of State for Foreign Affairs, meets Haji Mirza
Aqasi in Hamadan near where Muhammad Shah & his army were encamped.
1840 Quddus, 18, begins studies under Siyyid Kazim in Karbala DB 415
1840s Reports spread through world warning people to prepare for the sudden
appearance of Christ, causing excitation and fervor.

1841 Manuchihr Khan, Governor of Isfahan, "completely crushed the Bakhtiyari tribes,
which had risen in rebellion." DB 199
1841 The Bab visits Karbala and lectures of Siyyid Kazim & Mulla Husayn. Among
many listeners are major characters, Mulla Husayn, the Bab himself, Shaykh Hasan,
Mulla Sadiq, Quddus, etc. DB 27,75
1841 Mulla Husayn leaves Karbala on mission to Isfahan & Mashhad to win support of
leading Doctors of Islamic Law there for Siyyid Kazim's teachings; Siyyid Muhammad
Baqir in Isfahan & Mirza Askari in Mashhad.

1842 Manuchihr Khan, Governor of Isfahan, meets Sir Henry Layard
Aug 1842 The Bab, 22, marries Khadijih Bagum.
Nov 18, 1842 Najib Pasha of Baghdad warns Persian, British, and French agents of his
intention to attack and take Karbala.

1843

1843 Siyyid Kazim preaches the coming of the Promised One (Qa'im)

Tahirih, 28, already known as most educated woman in Persia and renowned as
poetess. Tahirih in secret correspondence with Siyyid Kazim, against wishes of her
father.
(In 1841-2?),Tahirih obtains writings of Siyyid Kazim from her cousin (Mulla Javad).
Her Uncle, Mulla Ali, delivers a letter from Tahirih to Siyyid Kazim in Karbala. Tahirih's
brother-in-law, Mirza Muhammad Ali, goes to study in Karbala under Siyyid Kazim.

1843 William Miller & Joseph Smith, American religious leaders, urged preparations for
the coming of the Promised One.
Jan 4, 1843 Parabolic circles or halos appeared around sun, reported in press.
Jan 10, 1843 Turkish army attacks shrine of Imam Husayn in Karbala;
Feb 1843 More halos reported around sun, as on Jan 4, 1843.
May 4, 1843 George Storrs states that British and American societies were spreading
the Gospel in every part of the world, in the newspaper, Midnight Cry. Fulfils specific
promise of Christ.
May 1843 "The Great Comet of 1843"; tail 105 million miles long.
1843 The Bab's first and only child dies
Oct? 1843 Tahirih & Companions leave Qazvin for Karbala, after her uncle delivers a
letter from Siyyid Kazim to Tahirih in which Tahirih named "Qurratu'l-'Ayn" (Solace of
the Eyes) by Siyyid Kazim.
Nov-Dec 1843 Siyyid Kazim journeys from Karbala to Kazimayn
Dec 16, 1843 Lt.-Col. Rawlinson, Brit. representative in Baghdad.
Dec 31, 1843 Siyyid Kazim dies in Karbala; The exact date had been predicted in the
dream of a shepherd.

1844

1844 Dr. William Cormick, Brit. physician, appointed physician to the Brit. Mission in
Tehran. TBBR 497
Jan 1844 Mulla Muhammad Mamaqani became a new Shaykhi leader (and later
participated in Tabriz interrogation and execution of the Bab).
1844 23OO year period of Daniel viii. 14, ninth chapter, ends beginning time when the
judgment would come. Also, see Apocalypse 12:14.
1844 Official of U.S. Patent Office recommends that Patent Office close its doors since
everything worthwhile had already been invented.

Jan 10, 1844 Tahirih, Mardiyyih (her sister) & Mulla Ali (her uncle) arrive in Karbala
and stay with Siyyid Kazim's widow.
For 3 1/2 years, Tahirih instructs Siyyid Kazim's followers (Shaykhis), and later, the
Babis, from behind a curtain, in Karbala.
Jan 22, 1844 Mulla Husayn returns to Karbala, finds Siyyid Kazim has died.
Jan 24, 1844 Canning writes of Siyyid Kazim's death to Sheil.
Jan(end)1844 Mulla Husayn prepares to leave Karbala to search for the Promised One.
He passes 40 days of mediation and preparation in Kufih.

Feb ? 1844 During this period, Mulla Ali-i-Bastami and 11 companions arrive in Kufih.

Mar 10? 1844 Dream of Haji Mu'inu's-Saltanih directs Mulla Husayn from Kufih to
Shiraz via Najaf and Basra.
After 40 days in Kufih, Mirza Muhammad Ali, in Karbala, obtains a letter from Tahirih
to deliver to the as yet unknown Promised One.
Quddus returns to Karbala, meets Tahirih, and then leaves on his search.

Mar 21, 1844 Muslim government of Turkey compelled by Western Powers, notably
England, to grant religious toleration to all nations within their borders.
The Edict of Toleration guaranteed, for the first time in 1200 years, the right of Jews
to return to Israel in freedom and security.
Fulfils specific promise of Christ on this, the Spring Equinox.
Mar 21, 1844 Sign of Aquarius passes vernal equinox beginning "new cycle".

May 1844 Mulla Husayn & companions (brother and nephew) arrive in Bushihr by boat
from Basra.
May 22, 1844 After 10 day trip from Bushihr, Mulla Husayn et al arrive at south gate
of Shiraz (40-50,000 pop.) in the afternoon. After companions enter Shiraz, at 1 hour
before sunset, the Bab meets Mulla Husayn outside Shiraz and spend the entire night
at the House of the Bab.
May 23, 1844 The Bab, 25, declares his mission to Mulla Husayn, at 2:30 AM, in
Shiraz, capital of the Province of Fars in southern Persia (Iran). During the night, the
Bab had begun to reveal the Surih of Joseph.

May 23, 1844 Birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha, son of Baha'u'llah.
May 24, 1844 In Washington, D.C., Samuel F. B. Morse, demonstrates his invention of
the telegraph by sending "What hath God wrought!",-- words from the Book of
Numbers.

Mulla Husayn spoke to large groups in his lectures in Shiraz.
Jul 2, 1844 After 40 days, enrollment of 17 more Letters of the Living (disciples)
commences; including Mulla Husayn's brother & nephew; Mulla Ali and his
companions; Mirza Muhammad Ali, who delivered to the Bab Tahirih's letter and
message; Tahirih; last was Quddus, 22, disciple of Siyyid Kazim.

The Bab disperses disciples to teach new message; Mulla Ali first to leave to Turkish
Province, then to Karbala, both in Iraq. The Bab dispatches Mulla Husayn with Tablets
to Baha'u'llah and to Muhammad Shah.
Jul 1844 In Isfahan, Manuchihr Khan, the Governor, refused to collaborate with Mullas
desiring to refute and suppress Mulla Husayn's activities. DB 100
Mulla Husayn recruits Mulla Ja'far & Mulla Sadiq (who had come from Karbala); in
Kashan, Haji Mirza Jani, wealthy merchant and recorder of Babi history.

Jul-Aug 1844 Mulla Husayn delivers message from the Bab to Baha'u'llah in Tehran.
see DB 128 Mulla Husayn leaves for Mashhad, Khurasan.
Baha'u'llah leaves Tehran for Takur, Nur in Mazandaran. DB 112
Aug 7, 1844 Mirza Rida, acting British agent in Shiraz, reports to Captain Hennell in
Bushihr that near anarchy reigns in Shiraz.

Sep 1844 More halos around sun reported in New York press.
Sep 17, 1844 Lt.-Col. Sir Justin Sheil, 40, becomes Brit. Envoy to Persia in Tehran,
replacing Sir John McNeil. TBBR 522
Sep? 1844 In Mashhad, Mulla Husayn recruits believers, many leaders, such as Mulla
Muhammad Baqir, in whose house (known as the Babiyyih) he stayed. DB 125
Mulla Husayn reports to the Bab, in message received Oct 10, 1844.

Oct 10, 1844 The Bab receives letter from Mulla Husayn on the night preceding the
27th day of Ramadan; Quddus was present.
Oct 1844 Departure of the Bab on his pilgrimage to Mecca with Quddus and Ethiopian
servant. 10 day trip from Shiraz to Bushihr.
(Nov 12, 1844 date given in TBBR; Sep given elsewhere)
Oct 1844 Husayn Khan given governorship of Fars by Tehran government.
Husayn Khan arrives at his post in Shiraz, instituting mutilations and executions until
order was restored.

Oct 1844 Mulla Ali arrives in Najaf. DB 90 In Karbala, Mulla Ali delivers message from
the Bab to Tahirih, 28; Tahirih accepts Bab's mission; Haji Siyyid Javad & Shaykh
Muhammad Sbibl, too.
Mirza Muhammad Ali & Mardiyyih (husband and wife) leave Karbala for home in
Qazvin; Tahirih remains in Karbala.
Oct 1844 Mulla Ali arrested in Karbala, and sent to Baghdad GPB 10

Oct 23? 1844 The Bab and companions depart on ship to Jiddah (2 month trip), the
port of Hijaz. The Bab crosses Persian Gulf on way to Mecca.

Nov 24, 1844 Mirza Rida reports to Hennell further degeneration of order in Shiraz.

Dec 10, 1844 Month of pilgrimage in Islam; the Bab arrives in Jiddah, and proceeds, in
pilgrims garb, on camel to Mecca.
Dec 13, 1844 Farrant becomes Sec. of Brit. Legation in Tehran.

The Bab proclaims mission to Sharif of Mecca, delivered by Quddus

Tahirih's family in Qazvin opposes her new allegiance to the Bab.

Siyyid Kazim's widow dies; Tahirih moves to residence of Kurshid Bagum in Karbala.

Shaykh Hasan travels from Karbala to Shiraz; upon arriving, he becomes secretary of
the Bab, transcribing tablets, etc.

1845

1845 Texas annexed at its own request to U.S.

Jan 8, 1845 Maj. Hen Rawlinson, British Political Agent (Consul) in Baghdad, reports to
Sir Stratford Canning, Ambassador in Istanbul, concerning Mulla Ali's arrest.
(Rawlinson, 35, interested in archaeology)
Jan 10, 1845 From Mecca, the Bab arrived in Medina, Friday, 1st day of AH 1261
Jan 13, 1845 Mulla Ali trial in Baghdad
Jan 16, 1845 Rawlinson writes to Sheil in Tehran about Mulla Ali case.
Jan 22, 1845 Rawlinson to Canning: Najib Pasha requesting instructions from
Constantinople on "the disposal of the criminal". Rawlinson estimates 20 to 30
thousand pilgrims in Karbala.

Feb 16, 1845 Canning to Titow re Mulla Ali TBBR,88
Feb 26, 1845 Sheil to Canning: "disbelief that the sentence will be carried into
execution."
Feb 28, 1845 Rawlinson to Canning: pilgrims waiting for "Imam" that did not appear

Mar 5, 1845 Canning to Aberdeen: copy of Feb 16 memo to Titow
Mar 5, 1845 Rawlinson to Canning: Najib Pasha not yet received instructions
Mar 19, 1845 Rawlinson to Canning: reports Haji Mirza Aqasi demand to extradite
Mulla Ali.

Apr 3, 1845 Rawlinson to Sheil: Najib Pasha still without instructions denies
deportation request.
Apr 15, 1845 Rawlinson to Canning: Najib Pasha received instructions to send Mulla Ali
to Constantinople.
Mulla Ali, arrested in Iraq, sent by authorities to Constantinople
Apr 30, 1845 Rawlinson to Canning: Mulla Ali had been sent to Constantinople

May 15, 1845 The Bab arrives in Bushihr in southern Iran on Persian Gulf
(this was Feb-Mar according to GPB & DB 155).
Date? The Bab sends another tablet to Muhammad Shah and sends Quddus ahead to
Shiraz.
May 25, 1845 In Shiraz, Quddus was welcomed by the Bab's uncle who, after the
original 18 disciples, was the first to embrace the Cause of the Bab in Shiraz.
Next, Quddus meets (wins allegiance of?) Mulla Sadiq in Shiraz (note that Mulla
Husayn is said to have encountered Mulla Sadiq in Isfahan, Jul 1844); they proclaimed
the adhan (words prescribed by the Bab) and the town was seized by "dismay and
consternation".

Jun 1845 Prince Dimitri Ivanovitch Dolgorukov, approx. 48, replaces Count Meden as
Russian Envoy to Persian Court. TBBR 483
Husayn Khan obtained copy of Surih of Joseph revealed by the Bab. GPB 23
Jun 23, 1845 Husayn Khan, governor of the province (Fars), intervened, ordering
arrest of Quddus, Mulla Sadiq and Mulla Ali-Akbar (TN 5). Their beards were burned,
noses pierced, and a cord inserted by which they were led through the streets. They
were the first to be persecuted on Persian soil. DB 146
(Mulla Sadiq went to Yazd DB 180 then to Kirman DB 187; Quddus went to Kirman DB
180 and then to Yazd and to Tehran (where he meets Baha'u'llah), then to his father's
home in Barfurush. DB 183)
People of Shiraz "wild with excitement".
Governor sends 12 horseman to intercept the Bab's party on road to Shiraz.
Jun 30, 1845 The Bab meets soldiers at Dalaki on way to Shiraz. DB 148
Soldiers escort the Bab toward Shiraz
Jun 30, 1845 The Bab writes to Uncle on road between Dalaki & Shiraz.
Date? The Bab writes "Tract between two Holy Cities" answering questions of
Siyyid Ali of Kirman.

July 1845 The Bab rides into Shiraz under arrest with escort; was rebuked and struck
by the Governor, Husayn Khan.

The Bab was ordered by governor to address congregation at mosque to clarify his
position.

The Bab placed under house arrest in Shiraz.
The Bab writes followers in Karbala to go to Isfahan and await instructions there (this
communication dated Mar '45 by Mehrabkhani in MH?). DB 158

Aug 10, 1845 Report on the Bab written from Bushihr to London's "The Times"

Nov 1, 1845 Aug 10 report appears in "The Times" newspaper.
Nov 19, 1845 London Times reports on "Muhammadan Schism", from reports of British
merchant in Shiraz.
Nov 1845 Biela's Comet appears to crown an unusual year of over 300 comets leading
to a remarkable astronomical observation.

1846

1846 Pope Pious (1846-78) replaces Gregory XVI (1831-46)
Severe industrial & agricultural depression in France.
Repeal of Corn Law in England.
Oregon divided along 49th parallel-northern border of US completed.

Jan 15, 1846 Prof. Challis, viewing Biela's Comet through a telescope in Cambridge,
found it has split making two, twin comets!

Jan 1846 Prince Dolgorukov arrives in Tehran.
1846 Mirza Mahmud becomes Brit. Consular Agent in Shiraz.

Date? 1846 Mirza Ahmad, eminent scholar, becomes believer in Khurasan.
Date? 1846 Quddus arrives in Barfurush (see Jun 23, 1845).

Mar 2, 1846 Richard W. Stevens, 30, Brit. Consul in Tabriz. TBBR 523
He and his brother, George A., 21, were merchants.
Mar 6, 1846 Representing "Church's Ministry among the Jews", London, two
missionaries, Henry Stern, 26, and P. H. Sternshuss, visit Isfahan, meet Manuchihr
Khan, and praise his fairness. TBBR 522
Mar 17, 1846 Sheil to Aberdeen: Prince Nasiri’d-Din's tutor, Mirza Ibrahim, says the
prince is "imperfectly acquainted with reading and writing in his own language".
Mar 21, 1846 The Bab celebrates Naw-Ruz in Shiraz. DB 190-1

Spring 1846
Mulla Husayn & companions meet the Babis from Karbala outside Kirmanshah (in
Kangavar), and together they proceed to Isfahan. DB 159

May ? 1846 Dr. Ernest Cloquet, French, personal physician to Shahs. TBBR 497

Hujjat, in Zanjan, sends messenger (Mulla Iskandar) to investigate the Bab.
On return of messenger, Hujjat accepts Cause of the Bab. DB 178,532,539

From Isfahan, Mulla Husayn, with only his brother & nephew, goes to Shiraz. DB
160,170. Later other Babis in Isfahan arrive in Shiraz. DB 161

Husayn Khan uses secret agents to obtain accurate information regarding the
character and influence of the Bab's Movement.

Muhammad Shah sends Vahid from Tehran to Shiraz to investigate the claims of the
Bab; Vahid was a guest of Husayn Khan, the governor; but after three interviews with
the Bab, Vahid becomes a follower! GPB 11; DB 171
Vahid proceeds to Burajird to meet his father there.
Visit of Siyyid Javad; Arrival of Shaykh Sultan (who had been taught by Tahirih in
Karbala) and Siyyid Hasan (who assisted in transcribing the writings of the Bab). DB
188-9

Summer? 1846
Following protests of his presence in Shiraz, Mulla Husayn leaves for Khurasan passing
through Yazd, Kirman, Tabas, Bushruyih, and Turbat to Mashhad (house of Mulla
Muhammad Baqir).
Other Babis leave Shiraz; Mulla 'Abdu'l-Karim remains, transcribing the writings of the
Bab.

Summer 1846 The Bab bequeaths property of wife and mother.
The Bab transfers residence to his Uncle's house nearby and sends Mulla "Abdu'l-
Karim, Siyyid Hasan & Siyyid Husayn to Isfahan.

The governor, Husayn Khan, protests to Shah re Siyyid Yahya's (Vahid's) behavior.
The Shah said to his Prime Minister, Haji Mirza Aqasi, "We have been lately informed
that Siyyid Yahya has become a Babi.”
If this be true, it behooves us to cease belittling the cause of this siyyid (the Bab)". DB

Sep 23, 1846 The governor orders the chief constable of Shiraz ('Abdu'l-Hamid Khan)
to arrest the Bab. But a cholera epidemic breaks out in Shiraz; the Bab cures
constable's son and is released; the Bab departs for Isfahan, accompanied by Siyyid
Kazim-i-Zanjani. GPB 13;DB 194-
The Bab writes to Manuchihr Khan, Governor of Isfahan, requesting that he designate
a place to dwell. DB 199
Oct 1846 The Bab arrives in Isfahan; 4O days at house of leading Mulla (Mirza Siyyid
Muhammad); "on one occasion, after returning from public bath, an eager multitude
clamored for the water the Bab had used in his ablutions".
DB 201
Oct 13, 1846 Tahirih receives letter from father, Mulla Salih.
Oct 17, 1846 Tahirih placed under house arrest in Karbala. FBTV
Oct 20, 1846 Tahirih & Babis in Karbala celebrate Bab's birthday.
Kurshid Bagum (Shams) stoned; but survives.

Haji Mirza Aqasi incites Isfahan clergy against the Bab.

Shah instructs Manuchihr Khan (a Georgian Eunuch), Governor of Isfahan, to send the
Bab to the capital (Tehran).

Nov ? 1846 Manuchihr conducts scheme to feign exit of the Bab from Isfahan, but
then secretly returns the Bab to safety in Isfahan.
Nov 1846 The Bab then becomes honored guest for 4 months at secret apartments of
Manuchihr Khan; while rumors circulate on fate of the Bab.

Nov 1846 Tahirih & companions travel to Baghdad staying at home of Shaykh
Muhammad. DB 272
After several days, the governor, Najib Pasha, ordered the transfer of Tahirih to the
house of Siyyid Mahmud-i-Alusi, the Mufti, author and son of the chief justice of
Baghdad. Siyyid Muhmud accepts Tahirih's teachings.
Tahirih gives classes (Hakim Masih, Jewish doctor in service of Shah attends).
Also, Babis at Kazimayn protest regarding teachings of Tahirih in Baghdad, to Najib
Pasha and to Bab.
Tahirih is said to have spent 3 months in Baghdad (ergo, see Jan-Feb '47).

Leading clerics of Isfahan denounce the Bab as a heretic and condemn Him to death.
Manuchihr Khan offers his ill-gotten wealth, including 5000 horsemen, to the Bab to
further his cause; however, the Bab declines.

Dec ? 1846 Mirza Ibrahim Khan, Persian Consul at Baghdad.

Jan-Feb 1847 Authorities in Constantinople order transfer of Tahirih to Persia. Tahirih
begins journey after 3 month stay in Baghdad. DB 272
In an eventful trip, they passed through Karand, Kirmanshah, Sahnih, Hamadan, and
finally to Qazvin.

1847

Feb 21, 1847 Manuchihr Khan dies in the evening; he was one of the richest men in all
of Persia and he had made a will leaving his wealth to the Bab.
However, the Bab never receives it. Immediately after his death, his nephew (Gurgin
Khan) discovered and destroyed his will, seized his property (valued at 4O million
francs), and contemptuously ignored his wishes.
Feb 24, 1847 Sternschuss, having returned to Isfahan, writes of disorder following
Manuchihr Khan's death. TBBR 169
Gurgin Khan sends messenger to Tehran to inform Muhammad Shah that his late
uncle (Manuchihr Khan) had not sent the Bab to Tehran as previously thought.

Mar 4, 1847 French envoy in Tehran, M. de Bonniere, writes to Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in Paris regarding death of Manuchihr Khan. SAM 242
At the Shah's command, Muhammad Big (living in Tabriz) was summoned to escort
the Bab to Tehran, keeping his identity secret, with a 5 guard escort, leaving soon
after midnight.

Unrelated to the Babis, revolts in Khurasan and Kirman were then occurring.

Mar 21, 1847 The Bab arrives in Kashan, greeted and hosted by Haji Mirza Jani, a Babi
merchant, on New Year's day. Haji Mirza Jani's nephew (Aqa Muhammad-Javad)
becomes a believer. Siyyid Husayn had been waiting in Kashan. DB 219-221
Mar 23, 1847 The Bab rejoins escort to journey to Qum.
Mar 26, 1847 The Bab arrives near Qum, but city was not entered.
Mar 28, 1847 The Bab arrives in Kinar-Gird; only 28 miles from Tehran.
Mar 29, 1847 But the Prime Minister directs the party to Kulayn.
In Zanjan, Hujjat writes to the Bab, proposing to rescue Him from his escort.
The Shah commissions the Kurd, Qilij Khan, to transfer Hujjat from Zanjan to Tehran.
DB 534

Apr 1, 1847 In Kulayn, the Bab is joined by the brothers Siyyid Husayn and Siyyid
Hasan.
Apr 1, 1847 The Bab receives sealed message and presents from Baha’u’llah (in
Tehran) delivered by two Babis, Mulla Mihdi & Mulla Muhammad-Mihdi. DB 227
Night incident of the Bab's absence from the Kulayn camp. DB 228
Apr 1847 The Bab writes to Muhammad Shah to ask for a meeting.
However, the Prime Minister (Haji Mirza Aqasi) was to prevent a direct meeting
between the Bab and the Shah by imprisoning the Bab in Mah-Ku.
Apr 9? 1847 Hujjat receives message in which the Bab declines his rescue offer. Qilij
Khan arrives in Zanjan. DB 534
Then the Prime Minister made the move which consigned the Bab to prison for the
rest of his days. (Husayn Khan was in Tehran when the Prime Minister convinces the
Shah to delay meeting with the Bab. Revolts in Khurasan and Kirman had occurred.
see DB 232)
Apr 17? 1847 Shah writes to the Bab delaying meeting. DB 230
Apr 19-20, 1847 The Bab with only two Babis, the brothers Siyyid Husayn and Siyyid
Hasan, and his escort led by Muhammad Big leave Kulayn. TN 14
Apr 19-20, 1847 Hujjat and Shah's escort, Qilij Khan, arrive in Tehran. DB 534
In Tehran, Hujjat was brought before the Prime Minister and later the Shah. DB 537
Passing Qazvin, the Bab writes to Tahirih's family members. DB 235
May ? 1847 When the Bab's party reached Zanjan, Hujjat had been secretly conveyed
to Tehran (according to Cheyne). DB 536

While the Bab was on the road to Tabriz, Hujjat, who was under surveillance in
Tehran, called the Babis from Zanjan to rescue the Bab. DB 236
May ? 1847 The Bab spends 4O days in Tabriz. Populace greeted the Bab with cries of
"Allah-u-Akbar" & town crier ordered to warn people that those seeking out the Bab
would be stripped of possessions and imprisoned. DB 239

Jul 1847 The Bab imprisoned in Mah-Ku, "The Open Mountain", in the extreme
northwest of Iran, fulfilling specific prophesy of Islam.
Brothers Siyyid Husayn & Siyyid Hasan only two allowed to see the Bab for first two
weeks. DB 245
The Warden at Mah-Ku, Ali Khan, has a mystical experience and converts.
The Bab reveals Persian & Arabic(?) Bayans, another Tablet to Muhammad Shah, &
the "Seven Proofs" during this period.

Sep 1847 Mulla Husayn leaves Mashhad to walk to Mah-Ku (approx. 900 mi.)! DB 254
Sep ? 1847 In Qazvin, Tahirih is divorced from Mulla Muhammad.
Sep ? 1847 Haji Mulla Taqi, Tahirih's uncle and her former husband's father, is killed
by Mirza 'Abdu'llah in a Qazvin mosque; 'Abdu'llah was imprisoned and later
transferred to Tehran. DB 585
Sep-Oct 1847 Khurasan revolt. SAM 258

Oct 21, 1847 Lt.-Col Francis Farrant becomes acting Envoy replacing Sheil.

Nov 16, 1847 Comte de Sartiges replaces Comte de Sercey as French Minister in
Tehran. TBBR 484

Date? Mulla Sadiq recruits 30,000 believers near Russian border.

Sayyah (Mulla Adi Guzal) served as courier between the Bab and followers, often
traversing vast distances on foot.

1848

1848 Austria: Francis Joseph (1848-1916) replaces Ferdinand I (1835-48)
US took California & adjacent lands to the east of Mexico after brief war.
Communist Manifesto published.

c. 1848 Peter Stephen becomes British Consular Agent in Isfahan. TBBR 484
Jan 1848 Nasiri'd-Din Mirza appointed Governor of Adharbayjan.
Dr. Cormick went with him to Tabriz as his personal physician, and followed him back
to Tehran when he became Shah in September.
Dr. Joseph Dickson became the new physician to the Brit. Legation in Tehran.

Jan-Feb? 1848 On way to Mah-Ku, Mulla Husayn visits Baha'u'llah in Tehran.
Feb 16 1848 Dolgorukov reports (erroneously) that the Bab had been "removed from
the vicinity of our frontiers".
Feb 22, 1848 France: Second Republic (1848-1852) replaces King Louis-Phillippe
(183O-48) (House of Orleans) Feb 22 Revolt
Feb ? 1848 Mulla Husayn visits Tahirih in Qazvin.

Mar 21, 1848 Mulla Husayn visits the Bab at Mah-Ku, having walked on foot from
Mashhad.
Mar 30, 1848 Mulla Husayn leaves Mah-Ku (see DB 261-2) passing through Khuy,
Urumiyyih, Moraghih, Milan, Tabriz, Zanjan, Qazvin and Tehran, to Mazandaran
(Barfurush).

Apr??? 1848 Baha'u'llah sends Muhammad Hadi to rescue Tahirih from intrigues in
Qazvin, and bring her safely to Tehran, which he did. T 127;DB 278,440,462
Secret agents who had been watching Ali Khan, informed Haji Mirza Aqasi of events at
Mah-Ku.
Tahirih meets Vahid in Tehran DB 285, then proceeds to Badasht. DB 286
Fearing disturbances, the Russian envoy protests to the Prime Minister the proximity
of the Bab (and so many of his followers) to Russian territory.
Muhammad Shah orders transfer of the Bab to Chihriq.
Apr ? 1848 In Tabriz, Mulla Husayn learns of Bab's transfer to Chihriq.
Apr 9, 1848 The Bab leaves Mah-Ku
Yahya Khan, warden at Chihriq, dreams of the Bab arriving
Apr 10, 1848 The Bab incarcerated in Chihriq, "The Grievous Mountain".
Fulfillment of Yahya Khan's dream makes him a believer (Yahya Khan brother-in-law of
Shah).
European eye-witness (possibly associated with the American Mission in Urumiyyih?)
writes of public listening to the Bab recite "verses of new Qur'an".
Dayyan, a prominent official converted. DB 303
Visit by dervish from India.
Apr ? 1848 The Bab writes to his followers to assemble in Khurasan. DB 269

Apr-May? 1848 Mulla Husayn reaches Barfurush, meets Quddus (the "hidden
treasure") & the Babis there; addressed the leading religious authority of Barfurush;
and continued to Mashhad in Khurasan. DB 183,260-1
May ? 1848 Somewhat later, Quddus leaves Barfurush for Mashhad.
May ? 1848 In Mashhad, a new property was purchased and a new Babiyyih was
constructed, after Mulla Husayn arrived. DB 267
May ? 1848 Quddus arrives in Mashhad. DB 267
Date (Receiving the Bab's message?), Quddus leaves Mashhad for Badasht. DB 291

June 1848 The Bab begins transfer from Chihriq to Tabriz for interrogation.

June 1848 The Conference of Badasht, lasting three weeks, of 81 Babis, featured
Quddus, Tahirih, and Baha'u'llah.
Purpose: "break with past" and consider means to free the Bab.
Here, Tahirih became known as Tahirih (the Pure One), a title approved by the Bab.
Muhammad Ali-Barfurushi became known as Quddus.
Muhammad Shah's illness worsens.
In Urumiyyih, Prince Malik Qasim Mirza receives the Bab; then, the wild horse incident.
DB 309

July 1848 The presence of the Bab created a fervor in the population of Tabriz (again,
see May 1847).
The 17 year old Nasiri'd-Din, the Crown Prince, ordered the examination of the Bab.
Jul 10? 1848 Trial & Interrogation of the Bab in Tabriz. DB 314-
Nasiri'd-Din Mirza was president of the court that tried the Bab, but not active in
proceedings.
The Bab claims to be Promised One (Qa'im) to 100 assembled clerics. GPB 21
The Bab's "sanity" examined by physicians including Dr. Cormick.
Later Mirza Ali-Asghar, head of the religious court, decided upon and administered the
wiping of the feet ("stripes") of the Bab as punishment. DB 320
An English physician, Dr. Cormick, treated the Bab's wounds.

At Badasht, Babis "broke with past" including Tahirih's removal of the veil.
When several Babis told the Bab of Tahirih's startling and unprecedented behavior, He
replied, "What am I to say regarding her whom the Tongue of Power and Glory has
named Tahirih (the Pure One)?" DB 84

Jul-Aug 1848 While confined in Tabriz, Muhammad Ali (youth later executed with the
Bab) has vision of Bab foretelling execution two years hence in 1850. DB 306

Jul 14-21,1848 In Mashhad, Mulla Husayn receives the Bab's turban and directed to
hoist the Black Standard and aide Quddus in Mazandaran.
Jul 21, 1848 19 Shaban 1264 DH: Mulla Husayn leaves Mashhad with 202 Babis; route
through Nishapur (enter Haji 'Abdu'l-Majid), Sabzavar (2000 pop),
to Mazinin, where messenger from Quddus arrived, with message which predicted
martyrdom of them both; then to Miyamay, where he replied to Quddus; then to
Urmiyan, to Shahrud. DB 324-5;MH 136
Jul 21, 1848 Baha'u'llah, Quddus, Tahirih & followers depart from Badasht in
northwest direction.
Jul 1848 Babis from conference at Badasht assaulted by villagers of Niyala. DB 301
Baha'u'llah (& Tahirih) on way to Nur, was ordered arrested.
Quddus returned to Barfurush.

Aug ? 1848 Quddus was soon ordered to be detained in Sari. see DB 584
August 1848 The Bab returned to Chihriq from Tabriz.
The Bab writes strong letter ("Sermon of Wrath") rebuking the Prime Minister, sends it
to Hujjat in Tehran for personal delivery; but by that time the Prime Minister had
already fallen from power (TB). Hujjat delivered letter to Minister (GPB; DB 323).

Aug 23? 1848 As Mulla Husayn & group reached Mazandaran, they were joined by the
Babis from Conference at Badasht. From Shahrud, Mulla Husayn and companions
proceeded to Dih-i-Mulla, where he received another message from the Bab; to
Mihman-Dust; to Astanih, where he sent two messengers to Quddus to report his
progress, and had Mirza Muhammad Baqir supervise the division of labor into groups
of 10; to Chashmih-'Ali. see MH 136

Sep 1, 1848 Approx. date of arrival of Mulla Husayn et al in Chashmih-'Ali near
Damghan.
Quddus receives message from Mulla Husayn while under house arrest in Sari.
Sep 2? 1848 Mulla Husayn predicts death of Muhammad Shah in "tree incident". DB
Sep 4, 1848 Physician to the Brit. Mission, Dr. Dickson, was called to palace by the
Shah's physician, Dr. Cloquet. The Shah, 40, had suffered from gout for 10 years.
Muhammad Shah dies at 9 PM; Nasiri'd-Din Mirza is called from Tabriz to assume the
Crown.
Sep 1848 Baha'u'llah was to be conducted to Tehran under arrest, just as news of the
Shah's death reached Nur. DB 300
Sep 7, 1848 Ronald F. Thomson, Brit. diplomat, was 3rd Attaché in Tehran.
Sep 12, 1848 Accession of Nasiri'd-Din Shah at Tabriz. TBBR 482
Sep 12, 1848 Malik-Qasim Mirza, Governor of Adharbayjan.
Sep 1848 In Khawriyyih, Mulla Husayn receives message from Quddus saying to
proceed to Barfurush.

Oct ? 1848 Mulla Husayn arrives in Urim; makes famous speech to 232 followers; &
left Urim traveling through 4 days of rain.
Oct 1848 Malik-Qasim Mirza appointed governor of Adharbayjan.
Oct 10, 1848 Morning: Towns people, urged by leading divine, attack Babis lead by
Mulla Husayn outside Barfurush; tree-soldier-musket cutting incident. DB 330
7 Babis killed; 83 days after Mulla Husayn left Mashhad. MH 146
Oct 10, 1848 Afternoon-Evening: Adhan incident at the Sabzih-Maydan; 3 young Babis
killed. DB 337;SAM 296
They bought supplies from Mulla Muhammad-i-Hamzih in nearby village.
Abbas-Quli Khan, Governor of Amul (RPAC,171), visited Mulla Husayn to "negotiate".
Oct 11, 1848 Morning: Mulla Husayn & Babis attempt to leave Barfurush toward Shir-
Gah under escort by Khusraw. DB 341
Then Babis attacked in forest by Government troops, supposedly escorting them to
safety.
Oct 12, 1848 Morning: Mulla Husayn and companions enter Shrine of S. Tabarsi. Mulla
Muhammad Baqir designs Fort. DB 342
Oct 12, 1848 Evening: Babis at Tabarsi attacked by villagers of Qadi-Kala. DB 345
312 Babis lead by Mulla Husayn start building fort around shrine of Tabarsi, 14 mi.
south of Barfurush.
Oct 13, 1848 Morning: Nazar Khan of Qadi-Kala visits Mulla Husayn. DB 346

Oct 19, 1848 Nasiri'd-Din Shah, 17, arrives in Tehran from Tabriz.
Oct 19, 1848 Mirza Taqi Khan becomes the Amir-Nizam (Prime Minister).

Shiraz: Forwarding revenue to the capital to gain favor with the new Shah,
Husayn Khan goes into personal debt and is unable to pay his troops.
People of Shiraz rebel, forcing dismissal of Governor Husayn Khan.
Mirza Taqi Khan ignores Husayn Khan's problems and appoints new Governor.
Oct ? 1848 Fort completed; from Nur, Baha'u'llah visits & directs Mulla Husayn
regarding mission to release Quddus from Sari. Mirza Mihdi & 6 men did this. DB 349-
52 Tahirih remained in Nur.

Nov 1848 Hujjat returns to Zanjan. DB 539
Nov 1848 Bahram Mirza replaces Husayn Khan as governor of Fars. TBBR 485
Nov ? 1848 New Shah orders 'Abdu'llah Khan to attack fort. DB 358-60
Nov 24, 1848 'Abdu'llah Khan surrounds fort with 2000 men; cuts water and supplies
to fort.
Nov(end) 1848 Baha'u'llah & companions leave Nur to attempt to join defenders at
Tabarsi (DB 353), but Government troops do not permit passage.
As a result, Baha'u'llah was confined & bastinadoed in Amul. DB 368,461,584
Nov(end) 1848 Prince Mihdi Quli Mirza, appointed Governor of Mazandaran. TBBR 512
Nov 27, 1848 see Mulla Yusuf story DB 424
Nov 29, 1848 Heavy rain at Tabarsi DB 361
Nov 30, 1848 Heavy snow at Tabarsi

Dec 1, 1848 Battle of Afra: Quddus orders attack, 2 hours before dawn, on
surrounding troops after a severe rain, and then snow storm the previous night.
'Abdu'llah Khan & 400 of his soldiers killed; rest are scattered;
100 horses captured & 35 prisoners taken then released. MH 176
Later, Fort Tabarsi was fortified; Mustafa Khan reports defeat to Shah.
Shah orders Mihdi Quli Mirza, new Governor of Mazandaran, and Abbas-Quli Khan,
chief of Amul, to attack the Babis: "erase them from the pages of history".
Mihdi Quli Mirza leaves Tehran with 3000 troops (TBBR 512 gives later date).
Dec 21, 1848 Battle of Vas-Kas: As the Shah's army gathered for an attack, Quddus
orders a 4 AM surprise attack after a heavy snow had fallen.
Midhi Quli Mirza escapes; his army dispersed.
Dec 21, 1848 Quddus wounded by bullet in the mouth in this engagement.
Midhi Quli Mirza sends pieces of rifle cut in two by Mulla Husayn. MH 184
Dec 28, 1848 Dolgorukov: "After several conferences...it was decided to use military
force against the furious sectaries..." TBBR 93

1849

1849 Sardinia (Italy): King Victor Emmanuel II (1849-78) replaces Charles Albert
(1831-49).

Jan 1849 Abbas-Quli Khan moves forces from Amul through Barfurush to Tabarsi.
Jan 5, 1849 Dolgorukov dispatch notes the Bab's prophetic claim, and notes that the
Bab "removed on my demand from Russian borders".
Jan 1849 Shah's army under Abbas-Quli Khan erects barricades around fort, and again
cuts water and supplies to fort.
Jan 30, 1849
Lt.-Col. T. Farrant, British Special Commissioner, reports situation to London, including
that Quddus was wounded in Mazandaran (Dec 21, 1848).
Farrant reports arrival of new Governor of Fars, Bahram Khan, to Shiraz, who pacifies
province. re Husayn Khan, "the troops have made him their prisoner demanding their
arrears of pay."

Feb 1, 1849 72 Babis already killed in Mazandaran Upheaval.
Work completed on well for water within the Tabarsi fort.
Feb 2, 1849 Mulla Husayn orders night attack at 3 AM. Army was dispersed; 36 Babis
died. Mulla Husayn, 36, killed in battle in Mazandaran. MH 189-90
Apparently some 200 Babis remain.
Suffering another defeat, but expecting an easy, early victory, Abbas-Quli Khan tried
to maintain as a secret the death of Mulla Husayn.
Feb 5, 1849 Dolgorukov dispatch to Nesselrode (TBBR): "state of Mazandaran has
become serious"; details of defeats suffered by Governors there.
Feb 22, 1849 Dolgorukov to Nesselrode: Babi numbers increasing in Teheran &
Adharbayjan; Abbas-Quli Khan "forced to obey Shah's orders" and "engaged in
combat".
Feb ? 1849 In Nur, Tahirih receives news of Mulla Husayn's death.

Mar 7, 1849 Dolgorukov reports Mirza Taqi Khan estimates 100,000 Babis, and it "is
beginning to worry him very much"; 800 Babis in Zanjan "threaten to disrupt the
public order".
Mar 17, 1849 Army finally reorganized after Feb 2 defeat. With Mulla Husayn death
known to them, an easy victory over the Babis was expected.
However, Mulla Muhammad Baqir & 18 men disperses this force! DB 387
Defenders at Tabarsi reduced to eating their horses, the bones, leather, etc.
Mar 21, 1849 Naw-Ruz celebrated by the Babis at Fort Tarbarsi; new army of 2000
men was preparing for attack under the Prince, Abbas-Quli Khan.
Mar 27, 1849 Dolgorukov reports Governor of Adharbayjan, Malik Qasim Mirza,
refused to comply with order to execute the Bab, fearing rebellion; re Mulla Husayn:
"fearlessness and enterprise are joined to cunning and efficiency"
Mar 30, 1849 Artillery fire directed at fort. DB 391
Mar 31, 1849 Charles Burgess writes of Haji Mirza Aqasi: "...now in exile at Karbala,
has got into some theological disputes..., and has been pelted by the people. His
enormous wealth has been confiscated by the crown..."

Apr 9, 1849 Dolgorukov: reports Sulayman Khan sent to command operations; Towers
erected around Fort to enable cannon fire to interior; the Babis destroy tower with
cannon. Underground passages in Fort made to avoid cannon fire.
Apr 24, 1949 All food exhausted in Fort; water only.
Apr(end) 1849 Muhammad Baqir leads another attack. DB 395

May 3, 1849 Dolgorukov: "In a political report I may not paint a less gloomy
picture...those fanatics, in spite of numerical inferiority to the attackers, repulsed
them."
Incident of visitor to Fort occupants: brothers Mulla Mihdi & Mulla Baqir.
May 9, 1849 The Prince offers truce written on Qur'an to Babis at Tarbarsi.
Truce offer by Prince to Quddus & the Babis accepted, but then betrayed. DB 399
May 10, 1849 Siege in Mazandaran ends with massacre of remaining Babis in the
Prince's camp and in the nearby forest; these included nine of the first disciples.
Mulla Husayn's brother, 32, Mirza Mahmud, Mirza Aba Talib, Mulla Sadiq were among
the few survivors, stripped of possessions, ransomed to their families, or sold as
slaves.
May 11, 1849 The Prince, accompanied by Quddus, arrive in Barfurush.
May 16, 1849 Quddus, 27, martyred in Barfurush
May 17, 1849 Dolgorukov: "...the expedition against the Babis in Mazandaran has put
an end to his worries...the successes thus achieved are more worthy of pity than
defeats, because (they excite)...the spirit of a new and even more dangerous
resistance."
1849 French periodical, Revue de l'Orient refers to Tabarsi struggle, probably reported
by Dr. Earnest Cloquet, Shah's physician.

May 23, 1849 The Bab's uncle visits the Bab in Chihriq
The Bab's Uncle writes to brother in Shiraz

May 29, 1849 Sheil on Mirza Taqi Khan, the Prime Minister: "The Shah is completely in
his hands, over whom he exercises more influence if possible than the Haji did over
his late Father. It is evident that the presence of the two Missions of England and
Russia have up to this time alone upheld the authority of the Shah, but discontent will
increase..."

Jun ? 1849 As Governor of Adharbayjan, Hamzih Mirza replaces Malik-Qasim Mirza.
TBBR 511
Summer? 1849 (After Tarbarsi & Before Vahid leaves Tehran --see DB 440),
Returning to Tehran from Nur, Tahirih was arrested and taken before the Shah.
Later, from the Shah's palace, Tahirih was held prisoner in the house of Mahmud
Khan, the major of Tehran.
? 1849 Tahirih learns of Quddus' death.
Jun-Jul 1849 The Bab learns of Mazandaran persecutions. (end of June) DB 430
The Bab maintained solitude for nine days--despondent for 5 months.

Date? When the son of the Mayor of Tehran was married, the distinguished women
among the guests were more interested in listening to Tahirih than the wedding.
Jul 27, 1849 Farrant to Palmerston: re executions before Shah.
Aug 1, 1849 Exiled from Persia and stripped of ill-gotten wealth, Haji Mirza Aqasi died
in Karbala.

Oct 5, 1849 Palmerston to Sheil: "Her Majesty's Government...sincerely hope that the
Shah will abandon the practice of having executions performed in his presence..."

Nov ? 1849 The Bab resumes work, writing, etc.
Nov 19, 1849 Brit. Consul Abbot visits Yazd
Nov 26, 1849 The Bab sends Sayyah to Tabarsi in memory of the martyrs. DB 431
Nov 28, 1849 Sheil returns from leave (Oct 20, 1849) replacing Farrant as British
Envoy. (During leave, Sheil marries Mary Leonora, who accompanies him.)
(In Tehran, house of Baha'u'llah was meeting place for the Babis: Vahid, Nabil,
Sayyah, Tahirih, etc BKG 64)

Dec 15, 1849 Sheil: "The King may be passed over as a cipher in the administration.
He is twenty years of age...and he seems to have no desire to take a share in the
Government...discontent, if not disaffection, pervades all classes..."
Dec(end) 1849 Sayyah meets Vahid in Tehran on way to Tabarsi TBBR 109
Vahid leaves for Yazd. Sayyah delivers message from the Bab to Baha'u'llah.

1850

1850 Major-Gen. Sir Henry L. Bethune, artillery officer, returns to Tehran. TBBR 493
Jan 13, 1850 R. Stevens, Brit. Consul in Tabriz, to Sheil: reports on Governor of Tabriz
(addicted to opium) and Mirza Hasan Khan, both unpopular.
Jan 15, 1850 Sayyah arrives at Tabarsi
Jan 15, 1850 Sheil to Palmerston: "that the revolting practice of executing criminals in
the Royal presence should be abandoned" had been conveyed to the Prime Minister,
Mirza Taqi Khan TBBR 101
Jan 23, 1850 Sayyah leaves Tabarsi for Tehran.
Jan(end) 1850 Vahid located in Yazd proclaiming the Bab's message.
In Yazd, clashes & disturbances, some unrelated to the Babi activities, endanger
Vahid's life.

Feb ? 1850 In Tehran, Sayyah encounters Baha'u'llah.
1850 Baha'u'llah journeys to Iraq and visits Kazimayn
Feb ? 1850 Mulla Mahmud, of Kazimayn, visits classes of Tahirih in Tehran and
becomes a Babi.
Feb 12, 1850 Sheil reports serious outbreak in Yazd which governor and priesthood
quelled.
Feb 14, 1850 14 Babi prisoners held at house of Mayor of Tehran.
Feb19-20, 1850 Seven Martyrs of Tehran, including the Bab's uncle; DB 443,462
Ronald Thomson, 3rd Attaché of Brit. Legation, witnessed this.
Feb 21, 1850 Ferrier reports 30 Babis from Zanjan arrived in Tehran in chains
Feb 22, 1850 Sheil reports on the "feasibility" of public executions.
Feb 24, 1850 Prince Dolgorukov reports to St. Petersburg that seven well-known Babis
were executed in Tehran. "Minds are in an extraordinarily excited state due to the
execution which has just taken place in the great square of Tehran...One can only
regret the blindness
of the Shah's authorities..."

Mar 15, 1850 Dolgorukov: 2,000 Babis in Zanjan; "the ideas spread by them among
the people incite common discontent." (more than 1800 Babis GPB 44)
Mar 26, 1850 Palmerston to Sheil: re Sheil's efforts to change conduct of executions in
front of Shah.

Apr-Jun 1850 The Bab composes Arabic Bayan (the Exposition)
The Bab sends documents to Baha'u'llah--see end of June below.
May ? 1850 Realizing end was near, the Bab sends his things with Mulla Baqir to
Baha'u'llah via Mirza Ahmad. DB 504
May 2, 1850 Palmerston to Sheil: more re executions
May 2, 1850 Sheil reports on Babi beliefs, reports 100,000 men as estimate of Babi
numbers, that 575 Babis killed in Mazandaran & "three or four thousand of their
opponents."
May ? 1850 The Shah writes to Tahirih demanding that she abandon the Babi Cause
and offering marriage & high position in return. When the Shah received her refusal,
he said, "I admire her courage and marvelous spirit. Up to now, history has not shown
a woman equal to her".
May 10, 1850 Vahid leaves Yazd. Vahid travels to Nayriz, staying in Bavanat-i-Fars,
Fasa, Istahbanat, and Runiz on the way. DB 466,473
May 12, 1850 Mirza Mahmud reports arrest of a Babi in Shiraz TBBR 112

May 13, 1850 3000 Babis led by Hujjat attacked in Zanjan; they held out for 9 months.
DB 541
May 16, 1850 Shaykh Muhammad-i-Tub-Chi killed in Zanjan. DB 543
May ? 1850 To gain safety, Hujjat & Babis enter Fort 'Ali-Mardan Khan near Zanjan.
DB 545

May 20, 1850 "Babi conspiracy" in Tabriz, according to questionable report in Revue
de l'Orient. TBBR
May 20? 1850 After an 18 day trip to Qazvin, but Mulla Baqir found that Mirza Ahmad
had moved to Qum.

May 25, 1850 Ferrier report "...Zanjan...has risen in rebellion, and has driven out its
governor and all authorities established by the Shah. A battery of artillery and some
troops are about to leave here in order to return the town to order."
May 25, 1850 Sheil reports to Palmerston, "At Zanjan an attempt at insurrection was
made by the sect of the Babis... ...400 horsemen and 3 canons marched toward
Zanjan".
May 27, 1850 Vahid and Babis arrive at Nayriz. DB 478
May 30, 1850 Stevens reports "serious disturbance" at Zanjan; the Babis "remained in
possession of a large part of the town"; 100 lives lost.

Jun 1? 1850 Mirza Taqi Khan orders Governor of Adhirbayjan (Hamzih Mirza) to bring
the Bab to Tabriz.
Jun 5, 1850 (May 24 to) Mirza Mahmud reports Vahid with 1500 men has "erected a
Fort" outside Nayriz; 80 of the Khans men killed; a regiment and two canons
proceeding to Nayriz.
Jun 5, 1850 Firuz Mirza, new Governor of Fars, arrives in Shiraz. (He was appointed in
Mar '50. TBBR 485)

Jun 1850 Mochenin, Russian student (agent?) observes the Bab "teaching his
doctrine" to "concourse of people".
Jun 9, 1850 to July 20, 1850 R. W. Stevens absent from Tabriz. TBBR 523
Jun 10? 1850 The Bab leaves Chihriq for Tabriz.
Jun 15, 1850 Hennell to Sheil:
Jun 19, 1850 The Bab arrives in Tabriz as prisoner

Jun 4-20, 1850 Mirza Mahmud reports: at Nayriz "morning until noon" engagement;
the Babis prevailed;
Jun 21, 1850 End of the Nayriz Upheaval. TBBR xxix; GPB 43
Jun 22, 1850 Three days after the Bab's arrival in Tabriz, receipt of Mirza Taqi Khan's
order for execution of the Bab by firing squad in full public view. Governor
disassociates himself from such action. Mirza Hasan Khan moves the Bab on foot from
house provided by governor to barracks. Muhammad Ali joins the Bab at this point.
10 men from the Armenian regiment of Col. Sam Khan guard the Bab.
Jun 23, 1850 HRH received letter from Mihr-Ali-Khan reporting that the Babis had
been defeated.
Jun 23, 1850 Shiraz: the Babi arrested in May 12 report of Mirza Mahmud is executed.
Jun 25, 1850 Ferrier, French Agent, dispatch to Gen. de la Hitte: compares the Babis
to French Socialists.
Jun 25, 1850 Sheil to Palmerston: Vahid-led Babis warned not to enter Shiraz; Vahid
"has been defeated and captured having however previously twice repulsed the Shah's
troops"..."The insurrection at Zanjan has not yet been quelled."
Jun 26, 1850 The Babis at Zanjan once again attacked. Attack was repulsed; 200
wounded and 40 dead among assailants. (Jul 29 Anitchkov report)

Jun 29, 1850 Vahid killed in Nayriz. DB 494
Jun 30, 1850 G. A. Stevens, 25, reports to Palmerston the Bab's arrival in Tabriz. re
Zanjan: "The Babis have entire possession of the Town and some two hundred
irregular Horse, sent against them from Tehran have been killed".
Jun(end)1850 Mulla Baqir arrives in Qum. Group marveled at exquisite document with
500 verses, derivatives of Baha on blue paper. DB 505
Mirza Ahmad proceeds to Tehran with the Bab's things.

Jul ? 1850 Anitchkov summons Siyyid Husayn from barracks for interview; he gives
Anitchkov some writings of the Bab. DB 518
Jul 5, 1850 Anitchkov, Russian Consul in Tabriz, writes Dolgorukov: The Bab held in
Tabriz arsenal.
Jul ? 1850 Mirza Ahmad delivers Bab's things to Baha'u'llah in Tehran.
Jul8-9, 1850 Sunday, Martyrdom of the Bab, 31, in Tabriz.
Sam Khan's regiment of 750 men fired 1st volley which missed their target but cut the
ropes suspending the Bab and Mirza Muhammad Ali, seemingly defying the laws of
probability, given the inaccuracy of the rifles used. 10,000 people viewing the
spectacle thought that a miracle had occurred.
Mirza Hasan Khan commanded the 2nd firing squad that executed the Bab.
Russian Consul in Tabriz ordered sketch be made of the Bab's remains.
(F. A. Bakulin in Tabriz at this time.)
Jul 9, 1850 Shiraz: 12 heads of slain Babis delivered to Prince TBBR 110
Jul 11, 1850 Haji Sulayman Khan arrives from Tehran and rescues the Bab's remains,
wrapped in a cloak, and hidden in a silk factory in Milan, then (Jul 12) in a small
wooden casket, later concealed in Tehran.
Jul 15, 1850 Anitchkov reports execution to Russian Foreign Ministry.
Jul 15, 1850 Dolgorukov writes to N. H. Anitchkov requesting info on the Babis.
Dolgorukov also writes to Seniavin, Russian Foreign Minister.
Jul 15, 1850 Hennell to Sheil:

Jul(mid)1850 Hujjat makes general appeal to end fighting in Zanjan, requesting
mediation by Sheil or Sami Effendi, the Turkish Minister. see DB 554
The Governor intercepted (all of?) these appeals and substituted forgeries.
Jul 22, 1850 Anitchkov reports "the highway robbery of the soldiers sent there against
the Babis", in Zanjan.
Jul 22, 1850 Sheil reports to Lord Palmerson in London that the defenders at Nayriz
"twice repulsed the Shah's troops", & that the Bab was executed.
Jul 24, 1850 Returning to Tabriz, R. Stevens reports execution to Sheil.
Jul 25, 1850 Ferrier, the French Agent, writes to la Hitte (TBBR,71) regarding order for
execution of the Bab & situation in Zanjan.
Jul 29, 1850 Anitchkov reports on June 26 events.
Jul 31, 1850 R. Stevens: Of Zanjan, "As fast as the Artillery fire shot upon the Town
the balls are picked up and returned to the Camp out of wooden Cannon bound with
Iron."
Jul 31, 1850 Dolgorukov comments, "The government has exhausted all possible
means to compel the Babis to submit voluntarily".

Aug ? 1850 In Zanjan, Zaynab, a young girl, took the masculine name of Rustam-Ali,
dressed as a boy, kept watch on the ramparts, and fought bravely to defend the town
from attacking troops.
Aug 3, 1850 Sheil protests to Mirza Taqi Khan re treatment of the Bab's body.
Aug 4, 1850 In Zanjan fighting, Gobineau relates "the Babis going up and down the
terraces with their cannons in their arms. Often the flooring, which was of beaten
earth, not very solid, would cave in;..." etc TBBR 125
The women cut their hair to bind material to form cannons. DB 563
Aug 5, 1850 (5 of Ramadan) Babis in Zanjan again attacked (RPAC 200) for 3 days
and nights. DB 548
Aug 9, 1850 Sheil writes Stevens re execution of criminals
Aug 10, 1850 10 Babis summoned in Shiraz (Mirza Mahmud report) TBBR 112
Aug 11, 1850 Muhammad Khan, 2,000 men & 4 cannons dispatched against Zanjan.
Aug 15, 1850 Sheil reports protest to Palmerston.
Aug 20, 1850 His Royal Highness (Firuz Mirza) summoned ten Babis and commanded
them to curse Vahid or to suffer death.
Aug 22, 1850 Sheil wrote, "The Babis in Zanjan still maintain that nearly defenseless
city against the Shah's troops"; but with reinforcements, it cannot be long before the
town is taken.
Aug 25, 1850 Arrival of 'Aziz Khan at Zanjan. TBBR; DB 556
He scolds "the commanders and asked them whether they were not ashamed, that
five months had now passed that they had been besieging a mere Mulla without being
able to capture him..."

Sep ? 1850 Weddings take place among over 200 of the besieged Babi youths over a 3
month period. DB 560
Sep 2, 1850 Aziz Khan orders attack; 10 soldiers killed; the rest fled.
Second attack ordered; but Aziz Khan left area.
Sep 4, 1850 Stevens replies to Sheil (re Tabriz) TBBR,79
Sep 5, 1850 Sheil wrote, "these fanatics are reduced to a few hundred fighting men,
they continue to maintain a hopeless contest with undaunted resolution, refusing
submission on any terms".
Sep 25, 1850 Sheil: Babis "have barricaded a portion of that town, for which they
cannot be expelled without a greater loss of life that the assailants seem willing to
encounter."

Oct 6, 1850 2 Babis beheaded after capture by Mihr-Ali-Khan TBBR 112
Oct 8, 1850 Palmerston replies to Sheil re treatment of Bab's body.
Oct 16, 1850 Hennell to Sheil:
Oct 18, 1850 Dolgorukov: "The Babis have been fighting against 6,000 of the Shah's
best troops for almost five months now..."
Oct 22, 1850 Sheil: "...Mirza Aqa Khan...person of venality, and much disposed
towards intrigue."
Oct 25, 1850 Ferrier reports Aziz Khan failure at Zanjan.
Oct 25, 1850 Sheil: Zanjan siege continues "contrary to all rational expectation."
General Sir Henry Bethune visited scene of operations and "never witnessed so
humiliating a combination of ignorance, incapacity and backwardness" in the
government troops.

Nov 7, 1850 Dolgorukov: Babis in Zanjan "...known to be about 300 persons."
Two fresh regiments dispatched to Zanjan.
Nov 21, 1850 Dolgorukov: New military units have just been dispatched against the
Babis of Zanjan.
Nov 23, 1850 Sheil: "three fresh regiments and some mortars have been dispatched
as reinforcements"
Nov 29, 1850 Stevens: The Prime Minister "has authorized...the destruction of the
town and a general massacre."
Nov 1850 Mirza Mahmud, Brit. Agent in Shiraz, dismissed. TBBR 109; replaced by
Mirza Fadlu'llah.

Dec ? 1850 Fort taken; some 1800 Babis move to area of Hujjat's house in Zanjan.
Dec 9, 1850 Stevens: describes cruelty of soldiers.
Dec 16, 1850 Sheil: The Prime Minister "said he would take immediate steps for
preventing such barbarous proceedings..."
Dec 19, 1850 Hujjat wounded DB 569,573; about 100 women and children taken
captive and "punished".
Dec 23, 1850 Anitchkov: re final stand of Babis in House of Hujjat,
"In this house, a crowd of seventy men and as many women are gathered and are
repelling the attacks of the entire army. A regiment has been sent from Maraghih."
Dec ? 1850 Hujjat's wife and baby killed. DB 572
Dec 24, 1850 Sheil: "This protracted siege...is inexplicable...They have adopted a
mode of defense which seems to exceed the military skill of the Persian commanders."
Dec 29, 1850 Hujjat dies several days after being wounded in arm.
Remaining Babis wiped out in Zanjan (Jan 8, 1851 in DB 573).
1851

Jan 1851 End of Zanjan Upheaval TBBR
Jan 6, 1851 Sheil reports than Bab's disciples have been "crushed and scattered".
Jan 7, 1851 Dolgorukov reports end of siege.
Jan 24, 1851 Ferrier reports death of Hujjat
Jan 25, 1851 R.W. Stevens: "final termination of the Zanjan insurrection."
(Binning in Isfahan at this time)

Feb 19, 1851 Gen. Bethume died in Tehran.
Feb 24, 1851 Ferrier: "It is estimated that 4,500 soldiers have been killed during the
siege" of Zanjan.

Mar 4, 1851 Dolgorukov: large number of Babis executed in public square of Tehran.
Mar 14, 1851 Sheil: 4 Babis from Zanjan executed in Tehran
Mar 15, 1851 Farrant resigns after friction with Sheil. TBBR 501
Mar 1851 Abbot reports on Persia Journey, 1849-50
Mar 21, 1851 Binning in Isfahan learns of end of Zanjan Upheaval; see TBBR 15
Binning meets and describes Shah in early 1851 TBBR 157

June 1851 Baha'u'llah leaves Tehran for Karbala, after refusing a Government Post
(Head of the Court) offered by Mirza Taqi Khan. BKG 66; DB 587

Shah travels to Isfahan.

Jul 10, 1851 Stevens to Sheil: re debts of Husayn Khan and promissory notes he held
of Haji Mirza Aqasi. Sheil interceded with Government on behalf of British Indian
subject creditor of Husayn Khan. TBBR 171

Aug 1851 Baha'u'llah spends Ramadan (fast) in Kirmanshah. DB 588,591
Aug 28, 1851 After passing through Baghdad, Baha'u'llah arrives in Karbala.
Shaykh Hasan had moved to Karbala after Martyrdom of the Bab.

Oct 5, 1851 As he passed the gate of the inner courtyard of the shrine of Imam
Husayn in Karbala, Shaykh Hasan sees Baha'u'llah for the first time. DB 593

Nov 13, 1851 Fall of Mirza Taqi Khan, Prime Minister, soon replaced by Mirza Aqa
Khan. On night of 13th, Shah's mother and Mirza Aqa Khan convinced the Shah to act.
Nov 15, 1851 With 500 bodyguards, Shah reduced the Prime Minister's authority to
the army only.
New Prime Minister was Mirza Aqa Khan. Dolgorukov intervened on behalf of Mirza
Taqi Khan, but this only angered the Shah.
Nov 21, 1851 Capt. Alfred von Gumoens, head of Austrian Mission, arrives in Tehran,
and taught at Military College. TBBR 503
Nov 24, 1851 Dr. Jakob E. Polak, Austrian Jewish doctor arrived in von Gumoens's
party; taught surgery & medicine in Tehran.
1852

Jan 9, 1852 Mirza Aqa Khan, with the Shah's consent, causes murder of Mirza Taqi
Khan, in the bath of the Palace of Fin, after he had been stripped of power and exiled
to Kashan. DB 595
Jan 16, 1852 Sheil reports details of this murder.

Feb 22, 1852 Sheil: reports on change of Prime Minister and effects.

Apr 1852 Stern in vicinity of Tabarsi; meets some Babis. TBBR 14
Apr 1852 Mirza Aqa Khan becomes new prime minister.
Apr 22, 1852 Keith E. Abbot, Brit. Consul in Tabriz.

May 1852 Baha'u'llah arrives in Tehran, after receiving an invitation from Mirza Aqa
Khan, whose guest He was in Tehran. DB 598

Summer 1852 Mirza Hasan Khan, commander of firing squad that executed the Bab,
was disgraced and killed.

Aug 1852 Dr. Jakob Polak located in Tehran TBBR
Aug 15, 1852 Attempt on the life of Nasiri'd-Din Shah by three crazed Babis
Aug 16-27, 1852 Martyrdom of 38 Babis in Tehran TBBR
Aug 1852 Martyrdom of Tahirih, 36, in Tehran, strangled in a garden, thrown in a well
there, and covered with dirt and stones. She had said, "They can kill me as soon as
they want, but they cannot stop the emancipation of women".
Aug 1852 Imprisonment of Baha'u'llah in the Siyah-Chal of Tehran;
Aug(end) 1852 Biela's Comet returns, but one half of the twin-comet had receded into
the background (seen in Sep, 1852).
Aug(end) 1852 In Siyah-Chal prison, Baha'u'llah experiences revelation of his future
prophetic role.
Aug 29, 1852 Captain von Goumoens, Austrian officer in service of Shah, resigns over
cruelties suffered by Babis. (see Nov '51) DB 605

Oct 7, 1852 beginning of numerous reports in Western Press on attempt on the life of
the Shah TBBR

1853…

Jan 12, 1853 Baha'u'llah, accompanied by his family, and escorted by a member of the
imperial body-guard and an official representing the Russian legation, set out from
Tehran to journey to Baghdad via Kirand.

Mar 26, 1853 Governor of Nayriz killed by 5 persons in public bath.

Apr 8, 1853 Baha'u'llah & companions arrive in Baghdad

May18, 1953 Paper on Babis by Dr. Austin Wright read in USA. TBBR 10
Oct-Dec 1853 Second Nayriz Upheaval.

1854 Rev. Henry Aaron Stern publishes "Dawnings of Light in the East", citing Apr
1852 experience in Persia.

Aug 10, 1854 Baha'u'llah leaves Baghdad for solitude in Sulaymaniyyih in Kurdistan.
Aug 26, 1854 Chicago Tribune front-page headline:
"WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SPLITS OVER CHRIST'S COMING AGAIN; Find it
Impossible to Reach Vote" about whether Christ had really promised his return in the
first place.

1855 Russia: Alexander II (1855-1881) replaces Nicholas I.
1856 Lady Mary Leonora Sheil publishes "Glimpses of Life and Manners in Persia",
London.
1856 Persia tried to recapture former territory in northwestern Afghanistan, but Great
Britain controlled this land and declared war.
1857 Britain wins dispute re Afghanistan.
Mar 19, 1858 Baha'u'llah returns from wilderness of Kurdistan.
Aug 1858 Mirza Aqa Khan dismissed from position, much of his wealth confiscated,
and exiled to Sultanabad.
1860-1861 Tehran experiences great famine.
Oct 29, 1860 to Nov 27, 1860 orientalist Bernard Dorn in Barfurush receives
manuscript on Tabarsi struggle.
Apr 22, 1863 Baha'u'llah's Declaration in Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad.
May 3, 1863 Baha'u'llah exiled to Constantinople.
Aug 16, 1863 Baha'u'llah arrives in Constantinople.
1865 Gobineau publishes "Les Religions et les Philosophies dans l'Asie Centrale".
Sep 15, 1882 Bab's wife dies
May 29, 1892 Ascension of Baha'u'llah in Bahji.
Dec 10, 1898 Arrival of first group of western pilgrims to Haifa
Jan 31, 1899 Arrival of the Bab's remains in the Holy Land
Mar 21, 1909 Interment of the Bab's remains on Mt. Carmel, Israel
Mar 21, 1909 Opening of the first American Baha'i Convention

References

Abbreviations in chronology:
BKG, Baha'u'llah: The King of Glory;
DB, Dawn-Breakers;
FBTV, From Behind the Veil;
GPB, God Passes By;
KB, Khadijih Bagum: The Wife of the Bab;
LSP, Livre des Sept Preuves de la Mission du Bab;
TN, A Traveler's Narrative;
MH, Mulla Husayn;
NKBR, New Keys to the Book of Revelation;
RPAC, Les Religions et les Philolophies dans l'Asie Centrale;
RRR, The Reconciliation of Races and Religions;
SAM, Seyyed Ali Mohammed dit le Bab;
TB, The Bab;
TBBR, The Babi and Baha'i Religions;
TBR, The Babi Religion;
TITN, Thief in the Night;
Appendix B: Dawn-Breakers Story Outline

STORY OUTLINE (1843-1850) THE DAWN-BREAKERS Feature Motion Picture

Note: See the "Dawn-Breaker Chronology" by James J Keene for a detailed listing of
events. This Story Outline emphasizes highlights of that chronology and as such,
summarizes episodes and mentions only some of the important historical figures.

A-1 THE MISSION OF THE BAB IS ANTICIPATED

1. Mt. Carmel: Three prophesies of revelation dramatized.
2. Karbala: Siyyid Kazim teaches student-seekers.
3. Karbala: The students start their search.

B-2 THE MISSION OF THE BAB IS PROCLAIMED

1. Shiraz: The Bab assembles disciples and dispatches them on missions.
2. From Shiraz to Mashhad through Tehran: Mulla Husayn travels on his mission.
3. Karbala: Mulla Ali meets Tahirih and later is arrested.
4. Mecca and Medina: On pilgrimage, the Bab proclaims his mission.

C-3 THE STATE REACTS -- SHIRAZ

1. Shiraz: Quddus modifies Adhan and is punished by Husayn Khan.
2. Shiraz: Husayn Khan places the Bab under house arrest.
3. Tehran: Muhammad Shah learns of the Bab and sends Vahid to investigate.
4. Shiraz: Vahid interviews the Bab and becomes a Babi.
5. Shiraz: Husayn Khan threat is foiled by the outbreak of a cholera epidemic.

C-4 THE STATE REACTS -- ISFAHAN

1. Isfahan: Manuchihr Khan arranges for the Bab to stay with a leading Mulla.
2. Karbala: Tahirih teaches fearlessly, breaking traditions, and is arrested.
3. Isfahan: The Shah's court threatens, and Manuchihr Khan protects the Bab.
4. Baghdad: Tahirih teaches numerous Babis, and is deported to Persia.
5. Isfahan: Manuchihr Khan serves the Bab, but dies, leaving the Bab in peril.

C-5 THE BAB BECOMES A PRISONER OF THE SHAH'S COURT

1. Isfahan to Tehran road: Muhammad Big escorts the Bab toward Tehran.
2. Tehran: Hujjat attempts to mount a rescue of the Bab.
3. Road to Mah-Ku: The Bab is taken to Mah-Ku and imprisoned there.

D-6 THE BABIS ACT

1. Mashhad: Mulla Husayn begins 900 mile march on foot to Mah-Ku prison.
2. Qazvin: Her divorce and her uncle's murder cause Tahirih trouble.
3. Mah-Ku region: Mulla Sadiq spreads the message; thousands become Babis.
4. Tehran: Russian Envoy protests to Prime Minister: too many Babis near Russia.
5. Mah-Ku: Mulla Husayn arrives on foot and meets with the Bab.
6. Qazvin: Muhammad Hadi rescues Tahirih, saving her from certain execution.
7. Tehran: Tahirih meets Vahid and urges him to action in the Bab's cause.
8. Tehran: Russian Envoy protests again, amid growing worry in Shah's court.
9. Chihriq: The Bab is moved to Chihriq and orders Babi actions in Khurasan.

D-7 CONFERENCE AT BADASHT AND THE INTERROGATION OF THE BAB

1. Badasht: 81 Babis meet, lead by Baha'u'llah, Quddus and Tahirih.
2. Tabriz: At interrogation-trial, the Bab proclaims to be the Promised Qa'im.
3. Badasht: Breaking tradition, Tahirih removes her veil and shocks the Babis.
4. Tabriz: The youth, Muhammad Ali, has vision of being executed with the Bab.

D-8 MARCH OF 200 BABIS FROM MASHHAD TO MAZANDARAN

1. Mashhad: Mulla Husayn receives the Bab's turban & hoists the Black Standard.
2. Niyala: Babis from the Conference at Badasht attacked by villagers.
3. Sari: Quddus writes to Mulla Husayn, predicting martyrdom of them both.
4. Tehran: Hujjat delivers "Sermon of Wrath" by Bab to the Prime Minister.
5. Mazandaran: A gale fells a tree branch; Mulla Husayn likens it to the Shah.
6. Tehran: Doctors rush to his care, but Muhammad Shah dies at 40.
7. Shiraz: Unable to pay them, Husayn Khan is made prisoner by his soldiers.

E-9 BABIS LEAD BY MULLA HUSAYN ATTACKED BY RELIGIOUS FANATICS

1. Barfurush: In skirmish, Mulla Husayn severs tree-soldier-rifle in one blow.
2. Barfurush: Three Babi youths killed while offering a call to prayer (Adhan).
3. Barfurush: Attempting to leave peacefully, the Babis are attacked in forest.

E-10 BABI DEFENSE AND MASSACRE AT TABARSI SHRINE

1. Tarbarsi: Babis build fort; Baha'u'llah visits; Quddus freed and arrives.
2. Tehran: New Shah orders attack on Tabarsi; Hujjat escapes from Tehran.
3. Tabarsi: Quddus orders pre-dawn attack; the Shah's forces are scattered.
4. Tabarsi: In a similar surprise attack, the Babis prevail; Quddus is wounded.
5. Tehran: Rifle cut in two by Mulla Husayn delivered to the Prime Minister.
6. Tabarsi: Shah's troops intensity siege; Mulla Husayn killed in battle.
7. Tabarsi: Shah's army unable to take vastly outnumbered and starving Babis.
8. Tabarsi: Prince offers truce and safe conduct, but then massacres the Babis.
9. Barfurush: Quddus martyred by the hand of the leading cleric of the town.

F-11 BABI NUMBERS INCREASE THROUGHOUT PERSIA

1. Chihriq: The Bab's uncle visits the Bab, still prisoner of the new Shah.
2. Tehran: Arrested, Tahirih meets the Shah & is confined in the Mayor's house.
3. Zanjan: Islamic clerics feel threatened by growing Babi numbers and Hujjat.
4. Chihriq: The Bab sends Sayyah to Tabarsi to pray and commemorate the dead.

F-12 TURMOIL AND DEATH IN THE CAPITAL OF PERSIA

1. Tehran: At the wedding of the son of the Mayor, Tahirih attracts the ladies.
2. Tehran: Sayyah meets Vahid; recalling Tahirih's words, he is moved to act.
3. Tehran: Diplomats & Ministers confer; Sayyah prays at Tabarsi.
4. Tehran: Vahid leaves Tehran; 30 Zanjan Babis arrive in chains.
5. Tehran: Seven prominent Babis are martyred in public square before the Shah.
6. Tehran: Diplomats report on executions and Babi numbers in Zanjan.
7. Chihriq: Knowing the end was near, the Bab sends his things to Baha'u'llah.
8. Tehran: The Shah offers marriage and high position to Tahirih; she refuses.

F-13 SIEGE OF ZANJAN BABIS BY GOVERNMENT TROOPS BEGINS

1. Zanjan: 2000 Babis lead by Hujjat attacked.
2. Zanjan: Hujjat and the Babis enter a nearby abandoned fort for protection.
3. Nayriz: Vahid and 1500 Babis reported entering the city.
4. Tehran: The Prime Minister orders troops to Zanjan and Nayriz and the
transfer of the Bab from Chihriq to Tabriz.

G-14 MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB

1. Tabriz: The Bab arrives; the population of the city is swept by excitement.
2. Nayriz: Babis massacred by Shah's troops; Vahid taken prisoner.
3. Tabriz: The Shah's order to execute the Bab arrives.
4. Tabriz: The Bab is transferred to the army barracks & joined by Muhammad Ali.
5. Zanjan: 3000 Babis lead by Hujjat attacked by the Shah's forces.
6. Qum: Mulla Baqir opens package sent by Bab revealing exquisite writing.
7. Nayriz: Vahid martyred.
8. Tabriz: Russian Consul interviews Siyyid Husayn, a companion the Bab.
9. Tehran: Mirza Ahmad finally delivers the Bab's package to Baha'u'llah.
10. Tabriz: The Bab declares that no force can stop him from completing his
final message to his followers.
11. Tabriz: Firing squad of 750 misses the Bab, but cuts the ropes holding him.
12. Tabriz: 10,000 onlookers are wild with excitement at the seeming miracle.
13. Tabriz: After a search, the Bab is found completing his message.
14: Tabriz: The original firing squad refuses a second attempt.
15. Tabriz: The Bab & Muhammad Ali are executed by a different firing squad.
16. Tabriz: A Babi completes a dangerous mission to rescue the Bab's remains.

H-15 THE ZANJAN SIEGE CONTINUES BUT THE MISSION OF THE BAB TRIUMPHS

1. Zanjan: Hujjat appeals for peace; the siege continues.
2. Tehran: Russian & British Envoys comment on bravery of the Babis and
the corruption and impotence of the state and clerical authorities.
3. Mt. Carmel: The ultimate triumph of the Bab and his fearless followers is
shown by the survival and world-wide expansion of the Cause that He initiated.
Appendix C: Dawn-Breakers Story

by James J Keene

The Great Comet of 1843, biggest in history, marks the time. The American missionary
Austin Wright, 35, returns to his post in Iran. World-wide economic depression,
revolutions sweeping Europe, other strange astronomical events, and forecasts of the
"return of a prophet" add to the agitated, almost surreal atmosphere at the birth of
our modern era. Wright expects Christ to descend on a cloud at any moment.

He stumbles on the remarkable coincidence that both the Christian and Moslem worlds
are expecting a prophet at exactly the same time -- 1844. Then an unknown and
uneducated youth from Shiraz declares that he is "the Bab," meaning "gateway" to a
new era of history.

Daring adherents of this young visionary, the Babis, proclaim the revolutionary news
throughout the oppressive empire then known as Persia. The intense, stoic Husayn
delivers the Bab's message to Muhammad Shah, through Prime Minister Aqasi, an old,
ridiculous and rat-faced schemer. At the Tehran British Legation, Wright meets Maj.
Justin Sheil and Lt.-Col. Francis Farrant. News of the invention of the telegraph and its
first message arrives -- "What Hath God Wrought?"

Through dispatches from Baghdad (now Iraq), Sheil and Farrant follow the case of a
Babi arrested and punished for dissemination of "blasphemy." In Shiraz, Quddus, a
rebellious young poet, and Sadiq, a crusty old reformer, alter an Islamic tradition and
suffer the consequences. For one thing, Sadiq's beard is burned off his face before our
eyes.

Amid a stunning "raining of comets" of historic proportions, Biela's comet appears and
literally splits in two as excitement of the growing Babi presence stirs Tehran. Prince
Dimitri Dolgorukov, the Russian envoy, begins to record amazing events in his
dispatches to Leningrad. Apprehensive, Muhammad Shah sends Vahid, a trusted
advisor and erudite scholar, to investigate the Bab. Vahid is confident that he can
straighten out the "unbalanced youth." But everyone from Prime Minister Aqasi to
Vahid himself is caught off guard when a strange event leads Vahid to endorse the
claim of the Bab.

Aqasi orders the Bab's death. But as the constable's men invade the Bab's home at
midnight, an eerie wailing of grieved and hysterical voices is heard. A deadly plague of
cholera killing hundreds causes panic, just as the Bab's situation seems hopeless. The
Bab is released after he cures the constable's son.

The wealthy, powerful governor of Isfahan, Manuchihr Khan, a Georgian eunuch,
provides temporary refuge for the Bab. Meanwhile near Baghdad, Tahirih, a mulla's
wife turned Babi and a renowned poetess and beauty, is arrested for blasphemy. She
had proclaimed the emancipation of women. To avoid her influence, Aqasi does not
want Tahirih deported to Iran.
As Muhammad Shah orders that the Bab be brought to Tehran, the Isfahan mullas
sign the Bab's death warrant. Then the Bab "disappears." Aqasi's search parties turn
up nothing, enhancing the Bab's mystique. Dolgorukov investigates the disappearance.
The Babis fear that Manuchihr Khan had the Bab killed on the high plains to avoid riots
in the city.

Now in winter, 1847, Wright struggles with the facts: 1844 had come and gone and
Christ did not descend from the clouds. When Manuchihr Khan dies, it is revealed that
he had hid the Bab.

Deported back to Iran, Tahirih has an immense following. Aqasi banishes the Bab to
strict isolation at the remote Mah-Ku prison fortress, but the warden has a mystical
experience converting him into a Babi. Husayn walks 900 miles through cold and snow
to Mah-Ku.

East meets West when Wright happens upon a roguish dervish, in the midst of a
drugged frenzy and blasphemous ritual in the wilderness. Wright becomes fascinated
by the Babis, as the dervish feeds him information.

Tahirih is accused as a conspirator in the murder of her uncle, who was also the father
of her estranged mulla husband. She issues an ultimatum, "Free me within nine days
or execute me." With Babi help, she escapes certain execution.

The Babi cause catches like wild-fire in Russia north of the border at Mah-Ku. Fearing
disorder, Dolgorukov requests Aqasi to remove the Bab from Mah-Ku.

The dervish happens upon Wright in the midst of an outdoor sermon on the career of
Jesus. Having missed the beginning of Wright's talk, the dervish mistakenly assumes
Wright is speaking of the Bab. He blurts out, "The missionary has become a Babi,"
embarrassing Wright.

Three Babi leaders, Baha'u'llah, Quddus and Tahirih, organize a Babi conference at
Badasht to "break with the past." Tahirih causes chaos by appearing unveiled before
the mostly male assembly. One man slits his throat; others flee at this key turning
point.

Aqasi orders a public trial of the Bab in Tabriz, but the Bab asserts his claim and walks
out. British physician Dr. Cormick treats the wounds inflicted in the Bab's punishment.
The Bab tells him that "he has no doubt that all Europeans would eventually adopt his
cause." Meanwhile, a Tabriz teenager has a vision of his coming martyrdom with the
Bab.

In a howling wind storm at a Babi encampment Husayn foretells the fall of Muhammad
Shah, 40, who, in fact, promptly dies causing commotion. With assistance from the
British and Russian diplomats, Nasiri'd-Din Shah, 17, is installed in power. But the "boy
Shah" does little to help himself; he orders that the Babis be "erased from the pages
of history."
Husayn leads several hundred Babis through four days of rain in the green mountains
of Mazandaran on "the way that leads to our martyrdom." They are then attacked at
the instigation of mullas ranting "holy war." With one sword blow, Husayn severs into
six pieces a tree, a rifle and a man.

They take refuge in the woods where they overcome rain, snow and starvation,
building a fort to secure their position. Put under siege by 15,000 of the Shah's army,
these 300 Babis prevail for over six months against all odds.

Dolgorukov hosts a dinner for Wright and Farrant where the ex-Minister of War
explains, "The basis of the Shah's government is the absence of an heir of Muhammad
who was martyred 1,000 years ago. But the people believe he will 'return' and claim
all authority again. The Babis say this 'return' has occurred." Thus, military force
against them is inevitable. Clearly, Wright is not prepared for this.

Later, a Dolgorukov dispatch records, "The Prime minister estimates over 100,000
Babis as news of their exploits reaches every province... In spite of their numerical
inferiority, those fanatics continue to repulse their attackers." Finally, promised their
liberty, the Babis leave the fort and are summarily massacred.

Mystified by the fearless Babis, Wright tries to get their own story, but by now they
are going underground. Sheil, the British envoy, returns from London to find Iran in
turmoil.

As the new Prime Minister, Mirza Taqi Khan, presides over the beheading of seven
prominent Babis, Farrant and Sheil clash over who is responsible. Taqi Khan unleashes
a reign of terror against Babi communities throughout the land, killing thousands of
families. The foreign diplomats attempt to restore some semblance of civilization, but
they are helpless spectators. Each Babi martyr provokes dozens more to embrace the
Bab's teachings which dealt with the imminent coming of justice and peace. Provincial
governors threaten to flee their posts.

Finally, Taqi Khan transmits the order for the execution of the Bab, although his
predecessor, Aqasi, had failed three times to achieve this. When the Bab is brought to
Tabriz amid growing hysteria, the Russian Consul, Anitchkov, is pensive, "The
governor has disassociated himself from this act. He fears a miracle." Yet the Shi'ite
authorities proceed with their plan.

This chapter of the story concludes with the ultimate triumph of the Bab, in what
historians have called the most stunning and extraordinary events surrounding the
execution of any public personage in all recorded history. This motion picture shows
the most astounding execution sequence ever filmed.

© 1988 James J Keene
Appendix D: Dawn-Breakers Plot

"THE DAWN-BREAKERS" Plot and Treatment © 1986 James J. Keene
PhD

SCENES PLOT and TREATMENT from screenplay WGAw No. 345215.

1- 26 It's 1843. World-wide economic depression, revolutions
sweeping Europe, startling astronomical events and forecasts of
the "return of a prophet" create an agitated atmosphere.

1 CAPTION OVER: This is the true story
of a Youth from Shiraz
known as the Bab.

2- 5 Dawn at the Haifa, Israel port below Mt. Carmel. On his
way back to his post in Persia (Iran), American missionary
WRIGHT, 32, recalls The Great Earthquake of 1755, The Dark Day
of 1780 and The Great Starfall of 1833. In the still
unexplained Dark Day, we see the mid-day sun and sky darken,
star constellations appear and the moon slowly turning blood
red. WRIGHT finds out that the Muslim world expects a "prophet"
to appear at the same time as the Christians do (the return of
Christ) -- in 1844!

6- 8 Inside Persia, black forms move down a dusty narrow
street. They are Persian women in full-body veils, with only a
few inches of cloth grid over the eyes so they can see ahead of
themselves. Opposed by her family, the renowned poetess
TAHIRIH, 26, secretly dispatches a letter to KAZIM in the city
of Karbala.

9- 23 KAZIM points the way. More mysterious halos appear
around the sun, reported in the press around the world.

10 Investigating disorders in Karbala, British diplomat
FARRANT, 35, interviews KAZIM, 59. FARRANT and KAZIM are shown
to be rational and competent.

11- 15 SHAYKH, early 20s, tells his teenaged friend, EYES, the
story of a mysterious youth (the BAB) whose identity must be
kept secret.

16 KAZIM replies to TAHIRIH: You have "stepped beyond
poetry."

17 Back at the Christian Mission near the Persian-Russian
frontier, WRIGHT fails to communicate his expectations to a
British BISHOP.
18 WRIGHT is captivated when he witnesses night-time
clouds part over Mt. Ararat to reveal The Great Comet of 1843.
West meets East when WRIGHT encounters a weird and wild
wandering DERVISH, mid-50s, who could be a con-man or a
genuine mystic spiritualist of the Sufi tradition.

19- 20 THE WIFE and MOTHER of the BAB mourn the death of his
only child, "He said he was not destined to leave any
children."

21- 23 A SHEPHERD dreams of the exact date of KAZIM'S death.

24- 26 TAHIRIH arrives in Karbala and supports HUSAYN, 31, who
leads the search. HUSAYN is handsome, intense, stoic, but not
physically large and suffers from a hand tremor. We see the
mutual admiration between TAHIRIH and HUSAYN.

27- 60 Now it's 1844 and everyone expects the "prophet" to
appear. An unknown and uneducated little shop-keeper declares,
"It's me; I am the one," causing an immediate sensation. He
adopts the title the BAB, meaning "Gateway" (to a new era).

27- 30 In Shiraz, HUSAYN and others meet the UNCLE of the
young Bab. UNCLE is not yet aware of what is happening in his
own house. Then, in a cramped room turned into an ad hoc 1840s
copy shop, HUSAYN and a daring group of young men copy writings
of the BAB. They spread the news throughout Persia. With
TAHIRIH, they were the initial DAWN-BREAKERS.

31- 32 In Tehran, capital of Persia, HUSAYN leaves a message
from the BAB to MUHAMMAD SHAH with Prime Minister AQASI, an
old, vain, ridiculous and rat-faced schemer.

33- 34 At the Tehran British Legation, BISHOP introduces
WRIGHT to FARRANT and SHEIL, 40, the British Envoy. SHEIL is
interested in the American invention of the Telegraph, but
WRIGHT is impressed by the first Telegraph message, "What Hath
God Wrought?"

35 Establishing: MUSA, 30, Persian nobleman, sees HUSAYN
waiting outside a House in Tehran (which becomes a "Babi
headquarters").

38- 49 The persecution begins.

36- 40 In Karbala (Iraq), MULLA, one of the DAWN-BREAKERS,
brings writings of the BAB to TAHIRIH. MULLA refuses to reveal
the identity of the BAB to friend or foe. Later, TAHIRIH learns
that MULLA was arrested and punished for dissemination of
"blasphemy." In Tehran, SHEIL and FARRANT follow MULLA'S case
through dispatches from Baghdad.
41 QUDDUS, another DAWN-BREAKER, 22, poet and rebel in
thought and dress, tells UNCLE, who raised his nephew as a
father, that his nephew, the BAB, has claimed to be a
"prophet."

42- 49 QUDDUS and SADIQ, a crusty old reformer, alter a
tradition twelve centuries old. We see SADIQ chant a changed
form of the traditional Islamic call to prayer from the top of
a mosque. At the instigation of the mullas (Islamic priests),
KHAN, about 40, the governor of Shiraz, orders that the
CONSTABLE punish QUDDUS and SADIQ "Islamic-style" and that the
BAB be arrested. Having received "1,000 lashes," SADIQ's beard
is burned off his face before our eyes. The faces of QUDDUS and
SADIQ are blackened, their noses pierced and cords are
inserted, by which they are led through the streets of Shiraz.

50- 52 The BAB allows himself to be arrested by KHAN'S
horsemen.

It's now Winter, 1846, and the world is treated to another
stunning "raining of comets" of historic proportions
and Biela's comet appears and literally splits into two comets
in a "close view" on the screen before us.

54- 55 QUDDUS arrives at that House in Tehran where he shares
information on the Babis (sympathizers of the BAB) with MUSA,
the Persian nobleman, and his brother-in-law, MAJID, Secretary
to the Russian Legation.

56- 57 SHEIL and the new Russian Envoy, DOLGORUKOV, 49, a
suave and relaxed nobleman, step in on a briefing by Prime
Minister AQASI on the growing Babi presence throughout Persia.
The strange interaction between AQASI and these foreigners is
evident when AQASI jokes that DOLGORUKOV could have been Tsar
instead of Nicolas I, and probing AQASI, DOLGORUKOV remarks,
"Some say the comet and the Bab are one and the same."

58 At the palace reception for DOLGORUKOV, MAJID
introduces VAHID to SHEIL and DOLGORUKOV. VAHID is erudite and
suave on a par with DOLGORUKOV and has been commissioned by
MUHAMMAD SHAH to investigate the episode of the BAB in Shiraz.

59- 60 HUSAYN and a group of Babis arrive in Isfahan, mid-way
between Tehran and Shiraz. WOOL, a crazy and unpredictable
bazaar merchant, tells HUSAYN of intrigue in Shiraz.

61- 74 In Shiraz, VAHID keeps KHAN and FERRIER, 38, a French
military advisor employed by KHAN, in suspense as he
investigates the BAB. The BAB'S assistants now include his
UNCLE, SHAYKH, EYES and several others. In a mystical sequence
of 9 scenes in and outside the residences of KHAN and the BAB,
each scene could be seen as a flashback with respect to other
scenes, as the suspicions among the characters are explored.
Everyone from Prime Minister AQASI to VAHID himself is caught
off guard when a strange event leads VAHID to endorse the claim
of the "unbalanced youth," the BAB. The BAB had spontaneously
answered questions which VAHID had carefully prepared but could
not remember to ask.

75- 81 While an AGENT for KHAN reports to KHAN on the Babis,

KHAN is unaware that his servant, NOSE, is a Babi. NOSE sees
the order from Prime Minister AQASI to KHAN to have the BAB
killed in secret that very night.

82- 88 As CONSTABLE prepares to send soldiers over the walls
of the BAB'S family residence, an eerie wailing of grieved and
hysterical voices is heard in the distance. But CONSTABLE
considers it "a diversion" and his spooked men proceed to sack
the residence while the sound of moaning voices grows louder in
the night air. As CONSTABLE et al. march their prisoners to the
intersection of this narrow Shiraz street, the wailing sound is
unbearable. NOSE and his 13 year old son, STREET, bravely
prepare to offer resistance, but the situation is hopeless. At
the intersection, we see a horrified mob, the source of the
hysterical voices, rushing at them carrying caskets and dead
wrapped in cloth. That very night a deadly plague of cholera
had gripped the city. KHAN and the population flee the city and
the BAB escapes death in Shiraz, which some considered a
"miracle."

89-130 The Georgian eunuch MANUCHIHR, about 40, wealthy and
powerful governor of Isfahan, provides temporary refuge for the
BAB.

92 Meanwhile in Shiraz, UNCLE and the BAB'S family are
forced by KHAN to literally remove the ink from the paper on
which the BAB had written. We see frightened people discarding
pages into the household patio where giant colanders of boiling
water remove ink from the paper which is then buried.

93-104 A friend of TAHIRIH is stoned and TAHIRIH is arrested
in Karbala in Turkish territory. They had committed a
blasphemy. They had proclaimed the emancipation of women and
had dressed up in bright happy colors to celebrate the birthday
of the BAB, which was also a traditional day of mourning for
Shi'ite Muslims.

94-105 In Tehran, the bumbling Minister of WAR reviews
TAHIRIH'S case with Prime Minister AQASI. To avoid her
influence, AQASI does not want TAHIRIH deported to Persia.
106 The cholera epidemic is spreading fast into Turkish
territory, with 200 dead per day. SHEIL and FARRANT call in DR.
CORMICK, 26, physician to the British Legation, to offer the
Persians medical assistance.

107-113 The BAB'S influence in Isfahan is also spreading fast.

107 AQASI fears this "ignorant shopkeeper could take Persia
without an army."

108 MUHAMMAD SHAH orders that the BAB be brought to Tehran
to appear before him in person.

109-111 MANUCHIHR seems to anticipate the inevitable hostility
of the mullas toward the BAB.

112-113 NOSE meets WOOL in Isfahan. NOSE distrusts MANUCHIHR
and sees events leading down the same road we saw in Shiraz.

114-130 The BAB "disappears."

114-115 MANUCHIHR sends 500 horsemen escorting the BAB to
Tehran. And just in time. The mullas of Isfahan had just signed
a death warrant for the BAB. SHAYKH and EYES are ecstatic by
this narrow escape from danger.

116 Winter, 1847. In his study, WRIGHT arranges scraps of
paper with notes, such as the prophesies of the Book of Daniel
on the Great Earthquake, the Dark Day and the Starfall, on his
desk as pieces of a puzzle. After all, 1844 had come and gone,
and Christ had not descended from the clouds. Yet WRIGHT is
convinced that 1844 was the time, but that the prophet will
come as "a thief in the night."

117 The Turks deport TAHIRIH to Persia, against AQASI'S
wishes.

118 NOSE, STREET and KID find WOOL'S shop mysteriously
empty.

119 DOLGORUKOV questions MAJID on the BAB'S disappearance.

120-121 SHEIL and OFFICER, a British Military advisor, show
Prime Minister AQASI British uniforms for the Persian soldiers.
AQASI'S comic reaction is that these outfits would elicit "no
respect" among Persians. AQASI is preoccupied by the failure of
his search party to locate the BAB on the 1,000 kilometer
Isfahan-Tehran trail.

122-123 Meeting SHAYKH, EYES, WOOL and others, NOSE speculates
that the BAB was killed by MANUCHIHR'S men on the trail to
avoid riots in the city.

124-130 MANUCHIHR reveals his plan to protect the BAB from
AQASI. He had defied MUHAMMAD SHAH'S order and hid the BAB in
Isfahan. However, MANUCHIHR dies, leaving the BAB at AQASI'S
mercy.

131-132 Back on Persian soil, TAHIRIH has an immense following.
She declines an offer for 12,000 men to march on the capital.
She announces the end of the "age of prophesy" and the
beginning of the "age for fulfillment of prophesies."

133 FERRIER meets DOLGORUKOV in Tehran. The diplomats never
fully understand what is happening, but FERRIER learns from
DOLGORUKOV that MUHAMMAD SHAH has summoned the BAB, in
disguise, to Tehran, as a prisoner.

134 AQASI banishes the BAB to the remote prison of Mah-Ku,
preventing a meeting between the BAB and MUHAMMAD SHAH.

135 Sparks fly when HUJJAT, brash, out-spoken iconoclast
and Babi, risks his life to protest AQASI'S actions. AQASI
cites protests from the mullas, who HUJJAT characterizes as
pimps who perform "special" marriages for an hour, day or weeks
time.

136-141 At Mah-Ku, EYES and his brother HASAN have been
confined with the BAB. The harsh WARDEN of the mountain
fortress keeps his prisoners strictly isolated. Outside the
Mah-Ku gate, people wait to see the BAB. Among them are SHAYKH,
NOSE and his two children, STREET and KID, SADIQ, the curious
DERVISH and others. Then the WARDEN has a mystical experience
and they are allowed to visit the BAB. While riding at sunrise
miles from the fort, WARDEN had seen what he thought was the
BAB by a stream. But the figure was actually the silhouette of
STREET, tossing a fishing net. With the blinding sunlight
reflecting from the water, WARDEN'S surreal experience is that
the BAB had somehow escaped from the mountain prison.

142-164 HUSAYN walks 900 miles from Mashhad to visit the BAB in
Mah-Ku.

146-149 WRIGHT again happens upon the roguish DERVISH, in the
midst of a drugged frenzy and blasphemous ritual. In a
variation of the classic Persian folktale of how a lone
traveler becomes terrorized by a crazed dervish in the
wilderness, we see DERVISH, puffing his water-pipe, sticking
five small clay figures like gingerbread men into the soil.
Seeking a mystic truth, DERVISH addresses each figure in
succession, "O Moses," "O Jesus," "O Muhammad," etc. Wielding a
massive club, DERVISH smashes each figure mercilessly, crushing
its fragments into the dirt, when it refuses to utter a single
word in reply. Later, WRIGHT is fascinated by the story of the
BAB because Biblical prophesies point to "Elam = Fars =
Shiraz."

150-157 On his way to Mah-Ku through winter snow, HUSAYN
arrives in Tehran and learns from MUSA that intrigue surrounds
TAHIRIH. Her uncle had been murdered. It's a mess; her uncle
was the father of her ex-husband.

151-156 Meanwhile, DOLGORUKOV learns from a young RUSSIAN that

the Babi Cause is spreading like wild-fire in Russia north of
the Persian border at Mah-Ku. Fearing disorder, DOLGORUKOV
protests to AQASI who promises to remove the BAB from Mah-Ku
and the Russian frontier.

158-159 Crown Prince NASIRI'D-DIN, an aimless 16 year old in
line for the throne, employs DR. CORMICK as his personal
physician while NASIRI'D-DIN serves as governor in Tabriz.
FARRANT is British Charge d'Affaires while SHEIL is on leave in
London.

160-161 Closer to Mah-Ku, HUSAYN meets TAHIRIH, who has been
accused as a conspirator in her uncle's murder.

162 DOLGORUKOV writes a dispatch citing the "sinister"
state of affairs in Persia due to the influence of the BAB.

163-164 HUSAYN arrives in Mah-Ku to find that the WARDEN had
dreamed of the exact day of his arrival. AQASI had not moved
the BAB from Mah-Ku as promised to DOLGORUKOV.

166 DOLGORUKOV confronts AQASI: "You lied to me." AQASI
then moves the BAB away from the Persian-Russian border.

165-169 TAHIRIH is confined by the mullas who have agreed to
her execution. She issues an ultimatum: "If the Lord does not
free me within nine days, then execute me." MUSA and other
Babis save TAHIRIH from certain death.

170-171 The BAB is transferred to another prison fortress near
the Christian Mission of WRIGHT. DERVISH happens upon WRIGHT in
the midst of a sermon on the career of Jesus. Having missed the
beginning of WRIGHT'S talk, DERVISH mistakenly assumes WRIGHT
is speaking of the BAB. DERVISH blurts out, "The missionary has
become a Babi," insulting WRIGHT. The absurdity of it all
prompts laughter in his Kurdish students.
172 While MUSA arranges TAHIRIH'S escort to Badasht, VAHID
is heard through a curtain by TAHIRIH in the woman's quarters.
TAHIRIH confronts VAHID: "Let deeds, not words, be our
adorning." The women snicker their approval of TAHIRIH.

173-175 On the other side of Persia in Mashhad, some Babis use
force to free a persecuted Babi and HUSAYN reproves them, "If
you cannot tolerate persecution, how can you accept my own
martyrdom?"

176-198 The Babis converge at Badasht to "break with the past."

181-197 Meanwhile, authorities interrogate the BAB in Tabriz.

181-183 SHAYKH visits a 17 year old YOUTH and his father in
Tabriz. The YOUTH'S father keeps the YOUTH as a prisoner in his
own house so the YOUTH will not declare himself a Babi.

184-187 SHAYKH observes. Prince NASIRI'D-DIN orders DR. CORMICK
to test whether the BAB "was of sane mind or merely a madman,
to decide whether to put him to death or not." The BAB tells
DR. CORMICK that "he has no doubt that all Europeans would
eventually adopt his cause."

188 With the BAB in government hands and his new teachings
for the "New Day" unclear, the Babis at Badasht are swept by
excitement. DERVISH and SADIQ clash over DERVISH'S drug habit
and QUDDUS and TAHIRIH work on a strategy as news arrives that
the BAB had been taken to Tabriz.

189-195 SHAYKH observes the public trial of the BAB by Islamic
authorities in Tabriz. Prince NASIRI'D-DIN arrives late to see
that the BAB had boldly taken his seat! The BAB publicly
asserts his claim to be "the promised one" and is scolded as a
"wretched immature lad" and "perverse follower of Satan."

197 Called by the BAB to treat his wounds, DR. CORMICK is
disgusted by the BAB'S punishment: a whipping of the soles of
his feet and of his face. DR. CORMICK learns that the BAB had
boldly walked out of his own trial.

190-198 At the same time, a drama unfolds at Badasht. Before
the assembled Babis, QUDDUS refuses to meet with TAHIRIH. Chaos
breaks out when TAHIRIH seems to defy everybody by appearing
unveiled before them. Though some flee the scene and WOOL slits
his own throat in dismay, TAHIRIH declares, "I shall put to
flight the chiefs and notables of the earth! This day the
fetters of the past have been burst asunder."
199-207 Still confined by his father in Tabriz, YOUTH dreams
that he will eventually be martyred with the BAB. He finds
himself hanging by ropes from the wall of a large drill field
at the army barracks. Shot by a firing squad, chest bloodied,
YOUTH looks around confused ... and rises. We see the barracks,
then the city of Tabriz receding below. YOUTH is literally shot
from the earth, bursting into flames as he bullets above the
cloud cover, reaching and passing the surface of the moon in a
matter of seconds.

208-225 HUSAYN leads a march of over 200 Babis toward Tehran.

210 On the success of the Badasht conference, QUDDUS to
TAHIRIH: "Who could doubt that we are no longer Muslims!"

211-212 Mullas prompt villagers to attack the Babis leaving the
Badasht conference calling them "heretics" and "misfits". The
13 year old STREET attempts to protect TAHIRIH but is shot in
the head at her feet. She bursts into tears over STREET as the
villagers exclaim, "There's the whore of the lawless Babis!"

209-215 People from the towns along the way join HUSAYN'S group
of Babis.

213-214 Now confined under house arrest, QUDDUS writes to
HUSAYN, "We shall meet but once more before our martyrdom."

216 August, 1848. AQASI learns that the BAB was not put to
death in Tabriz when HUJJAT delivers a protest to AQASI.

217-219 HUJJAT meets VAHID outside the Tehran "Babi
headquarters," the house where MUSA lives. The Babis now have
new names.

218-220 Inside, the ex-Minister of WAR tells MUSA and MAJID
that the government, namely AQASI and MUHAMMAD SHAH, has
decided to execute MUSA'S brother, a leading Babi. MUSA tells
MAJID to make sure that DOLGORUKOV learns of this at the
Russian Legation, with the hope that DOLGORUKOV might
intercede.

221-222 At the threshold of the verdant region of Mazandaran,
not far from the capital of Tehran, the Babis lead by HUSAYN
have camped for the night in a howling wind storm. They have
been joined by many, such as DERVISH, NOSE, STREET and KID from
the Badasht conference. We see STREET survived his grazing head
wound. On HUSAYN'S order, BAQIR has organized the Babis into
functional units. The wind rips loose a giant branch above
HUSAYN. It crashes into the fire in front of him and he
proclaims, "The sovereignty of MUHAMMAD SHAH has been hurled to
the ground."
223-224 Fearing what Prime Minister AQASI might do, elite
Persians in a commotion crowd into the British Legation
grounds. FARRANT, DOLGORUKOV and WAR are conferring when
OFFICER arrives with the news, "It is confirmed by our own
physician. The Shah is dead."

225 Forsaking their possessions, HUSAYN leads hundreds of
Babis through four days of rain in the green mountains of
Mazandaran on "the way that leads to our martyrdom." Suffering
opium withdrawal, DERVISH nevertheless discards his drugs and
pipes.

226-231 Meanwhile, in Shiraz where it all started, the BAB'S
family, his UNCLE, WIFE and MOTHER, still suffer severe
harassment. UNCLE is leaving Shiraz to visit the BAB. The
Shiraz Governor KHAN and his employee FERRIER are held as
prisoners by their own soldiers because KHAN had sent all
available funds to Tehran to win favor from the new Shah.

232-240 October, 1848. SA'IDU'L-ULAMA, the leading Islamic
mulla of the region, incites the town's people against HUSAYN
and the Babis. In an unprovoked and unexpected attack, STREET
and others are shot dead. HUSAYN leads the Babi defense and
with one blow, he severs into six pieces a tree, a rifle and a
man. Everyone is mute with wonder at this feat. All fighting
halts ... temporarily.

241-248 The Babis led by HUSAYN take refuge in an inn
surrounded by a wall. SA'IDU'L-ULAMA reorganizes the town's
people and brings a local GENERAL to observe. DERVISH keeps a
diary. Three teen Babis mount the walls to issue the Islamic
call to prayer and are shot to death. GENERAL is mystified by
the resolve on each side: that the teen Babis would expose
themselves knowing death was certain, and that the people would
kill anyone while praying.

249-251 GENERAL offers to escort the Babis to safety. But the
Babis are again attacked and left defenseless near a small
shrine in the dense forests. HUSAYN announces, "This is our
ultimate destination."

252-253 At this place, known as Tabarsi, the Babis put together
a make-shift fort as rain pours on them.

254 November, 1848. DOLGORUKOV congratulates TAQI, the new
Prime Minister, on the "successful transfer of power."

255 Back in Tehran with the new boy-Shah, NASIRI'D-DIN, DR.
CORMICK learns from FARRANT of AQASI'S efforts to cling to
power by occupying the palace with 500 men. However, FARRANT
relates,

"The Missions of England and Russia alone upheld the authority
of the Shah."

256 For his part, NASIRI'D-DIN Shah orders the Mazandaran
chiefs to "organize an offense against the Babis." GENERAL is
confident, "They are nothing but a handful of untrained and
frail students and old men."

257 Meanwhile, VAHID plans HUJJAT'S escape from Tehran.

258-262 At Tabarsi, the fort is complete and DERVISH mounts the
heads of some erstwhile attackers on the fort gate, "When they
see this, they're going to run like hell." HUSAYN leads a night
candle-light procession into the forest to greet the arrival of
QUDDUS, who assumes command.

263-265 December, 1848. Night. Campfires dot the hills around
them. The Tabarsi Fort is surrounded by over 12,000 troops of
the Mazandaran chiefs. Under siege for over a month, 300 Babis
led by QUDDUS are without food or water. Constant gunfire
bombards the little fort day and night. Having shed the bizarre
clothes and ways of a young rebel, QUDDUS, still only 26, has
become an inspired and effective leader. He declares, "A
downpour of rain and then a heavy snowfall will refreshen us
and desolate the camps of our opponents." At that moment,
lightning strikes. A torrent of rain ruins ammunition of
surrounding troops and pours water into the mouths of the
thirsty Babis. As lightning flashes illuminate the vast spread
of troop encampments on the surrounding hills, the rain
extinguishes countless campfires around the fort and flows into
a trench within the fort.

266-271 Next morning, the trench is covered with ice. Six
inches of snow had fallen after the rain. QUDDUS and HUSAYN
lead a sortie against the besieging troops. KID wants to go,
but NOSE forbids it. In a wooden hovel in the fort, KID sees
DERVISH is ill. NOSE offers DERVISH a hot drink. DERVISH, "This
is water! I'm starving, damn it!" NOSE, "We're all starving,
friend." KID grins meekly, "Maybe they'll bring back some
food." And bring food they did. DERVISH records the successful
Babi raid in his diary. Not one Babi lost his life, but QUDDUS
warns, "Next time, we will receive the army of the Shah."

272 KID sees BAQIR, third in command after QUDDUS and
HUSAYN, supervise the construction of a huge new wall around
the fort in the shape of a giant octagon. More forest around
the fort is cleared to obtain the wood.
273 By now, UNCLE has arrived in Tehran, on his way to the
fortress imprisoning the BAB. UNCLE and VAHID observe a
spectacle in the central square of Tehran before the palace.
FARRANT and WRIGHT also witness the arrival of a Mazandaran
chief with his brother, the commander of the forces sent
against the Babis. The commander, alas, arrives in a shroud,
dead. TAQI is furious.

274-275 At the Tabarsi Fort, construction of the new wall is
almost finished. These "helpless students and old men" lined up
two rows of heavy timber, ten meters high and two meters apart.
Then, they filled the space between with dirt and rock, at the
same time creating a deep trench outside the wall.

276 Meanwhile, NASIRI'D-DIN Shah appoints PRINCE as the new
governor of Mazandaran and sends him with 3,000 more troops to
reinforce the besiegers of the Tabarsi Fort. TAQI greets news
of HUSAYN'S exploits with a disparaging chuckle, "So Husayn is
a legend," prompting NASIRI'D-DIN to sneer to PRINCE, "You
shall erase them from the pages of history."

277-281 January, 1849. From a watch tower on the new wall at
the Tabarsi Fort, NOSE and DERVISH see the arrival of the
Shah's troops with PRINCE and the Mazandaran chiefs. Alone,
HUSAYN boldly meets one of these chiefs outside the fort to
deliver a message from QUDDUS to the PRINCE, "We have no
intention of subverting NASIRI'D-DIN Shah." Confused, the chief
reflects, "Then, what are we doing here? You people are
innocent."

282 Back in Tehran, MUSA and VAHID have disguised UNCLE as
a wandering Sufi dervish, for his departure with SAYYAH to the
remote prison fortress holding the BAB. SAYYAH is a young,
rugged courier carrying correspondence between the BAB and the
Babis.

283 Meanwhile, DOLGORUKOV hosts a dinner for WAR, FARRANT
and WRIGHT. WAR explains, "The basis of the present government
of the Shah is the absence of an heir of Muhammad who was
martyred 1,000 years ago. But the people believe he will
'return' and claim all authority again. The Babis say this
'return' has occurred." DOLGORUKOV adds, "Thus, military force
against them is inevitable." WAR remarks, "Oh, they know
that." Clearly, WRIGHT was not prepared for this.

284-287 Dusk at the Tabarsi Fort; snow falls. In their wooden
hovel, KID watches DERVISH write in his diary. A cannon blast
from the Shah's forces collapses the hovel on them.

288-298 The darkness before dawn; continuing snow fall. 200
Babis quietly move from the fort marching six miles over two
hours to the stronghold of the PRINCE, his base of operations.
Their swords are not drawn. The government troops are asleep.
Well, not all of them. DERVISH grins and waves at two soldiers
crouched over a campfire near the trail. Apparently, these
soldiers and the posted guards at the PRINCE'S headquarters
think the Babis are fresh reinforcements. Who would think that
a few Babis would position themselves in the midst of thousands
of hostile government troops? But there they are. It is a
daring commando-type raid. Horses are untethered and scattered.
Suddenly, hundreds of munitions boxes detonate across the
hills; the PRINCE'S headquarters is blown open and his key
commanders perish. The PRINCE flees through the snow in his
underwear. Though QUDDUS and HUSAYN had planned and directed a
perfect surprise attack, some of

the Babis were far from perfect. The unpredictable WOOL delays
the Babi retreat to the Tabarsi Fort for just a few moments.
But it is enough time for the Shah's troops to open fire.
QUDDUS is shot in the mouth.

299 Back in the fort, QUDDUS is unable to speak and writes
out his instructions. The Babis are again starving. DERVISH
writes,

"Many of us had already drunk from the cup of martyrdom."

300-302 In Tehran, TAQI fumes, "The PRINCE has allowed a
handful of students to defeat the army of the Shah ... again!?"
DOLGORUKOV and RUSSIAN worry about the concentration of Persian
troops and Babis near Russian territory. What if the "cunning
and efficient" HUSAYN were to escape Tabarsi? A royal soldier
delivers to Prime Minister TAQI the actual rifle that HUSAYN
had severed as "evidence of the strength of a man who cut into
six pieces a tree, this musket, and its holder, with a single
stroke of his sword." (Actually, HUSAYN is a scholar of slight
build, not your typical muscle-bound hero-type.)

303-304 February, 1849. GENERAL joins PRINCE at Tabarsi. The
starving Babis bury bones of wounded horses which they ate to
stay alive. HUSAYN prepares to lead a sortie to "scatter the
foe who blocks our path." To his companions, "Die now, before
death comes. Do not harbor vague hopes of defeating them.
Whoever desires martyrdom, let them come with me tonight."

305-309 HUSAYN leads the defensive sortie but his horse becomes
tangled in ropes by GENERAL'S tent. Babis detonate powder boxes
by nearby barricades and a blazing fire races through the dry
grass illuminating HUSAYN'S position. GENERAL had climbed a
tree above HUSAYN and shoots HUSAYN in the back.
310 Nevertheless, a DOLGORUKOV dispatch from Tehran to
Russia states, "The news from Mazandaran is even more fearful
than before. The Babis have routed the GENERAL."

311-313 March, 1849. Unaware that the man he killed was the
famous and feared HUSAYN, GENERAL decides to cut his losses and
pull out. But to SA'IDU'L-ULAMA, this is a "holy war."

When a Babi traitor tells GENERAL that HUSAYN is dead and the
Babis are starving in the fort, GENERAL sees the chance for an
easy victory over the Babis.

314-316 GENERAL renews the siege with fresh vigor. Sensations
of hunger leave the Babis. DERVISH tells hilarious tales to the
overwhelmed Babis, seemingly intoxicated with mirth, ignoring
cannon balls crashing through roofs around them. BAQIR leads
only 18 men against the besiegers, and GENERAL flees falling
from his horse leaving a boot in a stirrup. The situation is
out of control, as a DOLGORUKOV dispatch records, "The Prime
Minister estimates over 100,000 Babis as news of their exploits
reaches every province ... In spite of their numerical
inferiority, those fanatics continue to repulse their
attackers."

317-321 April, 1849. At night, NOSE and KID venture outside the
fort to gather grass for the horses...and the Babis to eat. To
stay alive, they prepare soup from grass, bits of leather from
saddles and boots and fragments of horse bones which they had
previously buried in the fort.

322-323 PRINCE'S men erect towers around the fort from which
incendiary mortar fire causes raging fire to rise from within
the fort. PRINCE is satisfied with the report he receives: "No
need to fire into the fort anymore. We can see in from the
towers. There's nothing in there."

323 A view of the fort interior confirms this: nothing but
potholes, ash and smoking timber. The place is empty. But
another view shows KID dashing behind what looks like (and are)
huge mounds of freshly excavated dirt.

324-325 Yes, with hardly any strength left, the starving Babis
had dug a network of tunnels under the fort and were bravely
resisting, though half-dead and ankle deep in seeping water and
mud. KID had spied PRINCE by the edge of the forest and QUDDUS
orders an attack to destroy PRINCE'S towers around the fort.
Needless to say, PRINCE is taken by surprise; he had already
planned to "go over the walls tomorrow" and "find some skulls
to show the Shah."
326 May, 1849. NOSE and KID are again gathering grass
outside the fort at night. NOSE sees a gap in the campfires in
the woods leading up the hills. NOSE to KID, "Go through that
gap and go to that big house in Tehran." Blinking back tears,
KID doesn't want to leave. Pressing KID to his chest, NOSE
insists, "Do what your daddy says."

327 PRINCE offers a truce to the Babis: their lives and
liberty if the Babis leave the fort, sworn on the Qur'an.
Though skeptical, QUDDUS accepts.

328 In Tehran, the awkward teen NASIRI'D-DIN Shah offers
marriage and high position to his prisoner, the beauty and
poetess Babi, TAHIRIH. She refuses, "You are exterminating my
friends." Now indignant, NASIRI'D-DIN asserts, "The surface of
this earth will be purified of their presence."

329 Loud explosions awaken KID who had slept under a bush
near the forest outside the fort. KID sees the fort is being
demolished by government troops. He stands to watch by some
long poles stuck in the ground. A pole falls with a thud before
him and he sees his father's head (NOSE) mounted on it. Whining
like a scared puppy, KID looks up and to the side, only to see
that the other poles all hold Babi heads.

330 Not far away, PRINCE and SA'IDU'L-ULAMA bargain for
QUDDUS. The price will be high; he is a valuable prisoner. "He
lead a few Babis to resist an army for over six months."

331 In a clearing in the forest, KID walks in shock among
the bodies of the Babis from the fort. They had been massacred.
KID retrieves the diary of DERVISH from the scene.

332 Weeks later, KID listens to MUSA read to MAJID from
this diary of DERVISH. A final entry: "This affliction is the
jewel of our treasures; we do not bestow jewels on everyone."
MAJID reports that QUDDUS was torn into a hundred pieces.

333-338 Summer, 1849. UNCLE and SAYYAH have now arrived near
the fortress confining the BAB. They are at SHAYKH'S house in
the village and WRIGHT is outside observing the entrance. EYES
appears and goes into SHAYKH'S house, confirming for WRIGHT
that Babis dwell there. When WRIGHT knocks on the door to
SHAYKH'S rear room, panic breaks out. The Babis rush to hide
all documents related to the Bab, while SHAYKH greets WRIGHT in
the front room. Though WRIGHT probes for information on the
Babis, SHAYKH is evasive, sends WRIGHT on his way, and SAYYAH
to follow him. UNCLE comments, "Sounded like an American ...
Their minds are more open." SHAYKH is defensive, "What would
that man be doing way out here?" After all, he could have been
a spy for the Shah. In fact, WRIGHT sympathizes with the plight
of the Babis and UNCLE'S comment sums up the irony, "Maybe he
is a seeker." But SHAYKH is firm, "We could not take the risk."

339-341 December, 1849. SHEIL has returned from London with his
new wife, LEONORA, and hosts a Christmas party at the British
Legation for diplomats DOLGORUKOV, FARRANT and FERRIER. But the
news he hears is bleak. The persecution of the Babis "has
excited a new and even more dangerous resistance."
"...thousands of Babis in the capital alone."

342-343 On departing Tehran, VAHID to MUSA, "This is my last
journey. You will see me no more." UNCLE has also returned to
Tehran, but the city is no longer safe for Babis. MUSA urges
UNCLE and others to leave Tehran, but UNCLE is not worried,
"Why fear for my safety?" However, others, such as KARIM, take
refuge in a sanctuary mosque.

344 January, 1850. SHEIL protests to TAQI, "The revolting
practice of executing criminals in the presence of the Shah
should be abandoned ... We prefer a public execution."

345 SAYYAH mourns the loss of Babi friends at Tabarsi.

346-349 February, 1850. Seven Babis including UNCLE are
beheaded under TAQI'S supervision in the central square of
Tehran. OFFICER reports to SHEIL and SHEIL is satisfied that
the Shah himself was not present and that "public executions
are feasible here." When FARRANT arrives he almost attacks
SHEIL, "Did you know those people were murdered for their
beliefs? ... Who wanted to see public executions?" They are
struck by the bravery of Babis. OFFICER relates to LEONORA,
"One man said that he was so happy, that he would not know if
he was throwing his hat or his head at the feet of his
beloved."

350-351 Spring, 1850. By now, the fervor of the Babi movement
has turned all of Persia on its ear. TAQI consults GENERAL.
HUJJAT heads thousands of Babis in the city of Zanjan.
Provincial governors threaten to flee their posts. TAQI sends
the army to crush the Babis.

352-357 HUJJAT organizes an amazing defense of Zanjan which is
put under siege. In SHEIL'S words, "Contrary to all rational
expectation, the Shah's troops cannot expel them from this
nearly defenseless city." Regiments with cannon are sent
against Babis lead by VAHID in southern Persia.

356 Summer, 1850. At a briefing by TAQI, SHEIL asks, "Has
His Majesty's government made effort to negotiate an accord
with the Babis, so they might live as Christians and Jews now
do in Persia?" But TAQI skillfully manipulates the outlook of
the foreign diplomats, "You can't be serious, at a time when
revolution and the threat of rebellion sweeps Europe."

358-359 Isolated at the remote Christian Mission, WRIGHT
ponders, "The Babi Faith passed through the historic phases of
all the great religions. ... yet Christendom remains ignorant
of this great event, as if it had taken place on the moon, or
among the inhabitants of another planet."

360 The BAB sends his personal effects to KARIM in the
sanctuary mosque as "The Prime Minister plans to reduce Zanjan
to dust and authorize a general massacre."

361-362 The BAB is taken to Tabriz, where the order for his

execution arrives from Tehran. YOUTH'S father is dismayed to
find that YOUTH has left his house to approach the BAB and his
two companions, EYES and HASAN. The BAB assures the YOUTH, "You
will always be with me."

363 Arriving in Tabriz, RUSSIAN reports to the Russian
Consul ANITCHKOV that the BAB is detained in the barracks.
ANITCHKOV is pensive, "The governor has disassociated himself
from this act. He fears a miracle."

364 That night in the barracks detention cell, the BAB
declares to EYES, HASAN and YOUTH, "Tomorrow will be the day of
my martyrdom. If one of you would now end my life, I would
prefer to be slain by the hand of a friend than by a stranger."
The young men are aghast at the thought, but YOUTH arises to
obey. Though they are interrupted by a disturbance outside, the
BAB states, "This youth who has risen to comply with my wish
will, with me, suffer martyrdom," thus fulfilling YOUTH'S
dream-vision two years earlier! The BAB tells EYES and HASAN to
deny their belief "so you may live to tell the truth."

365 The disturbance outside in the barracks passageway is
YOUTH'S father. Holding YOUTH'S baby child in one arm to
convince YOUTH to change his mind, the father offers gold coins
to the guards as a bribe for his release.

366 Also that night, in Tehran, MUSA secretly receives the
trunk containing the BAB'S personal effects, for safe-keeping.

367 Next morning, EYES is writing down the BAB'S last
message when FARRASH, the official in charge of the execution,
interrupts yanking EYES from the cell, while we hear the BAB,
"Until I have completed my last message, no earthly power can
silence me. All the world is powerless to deter me from
fulfilling, to the last word, my intention."
368 At the Russian Consular office in Tabriz, EYES manages
to pull from his shirt a manuscript of the BAB and place it on
the desk before the Russian Consul, ANITCHKOV. In a tense
moment, the ugly, one-eyed mulla who signed the BAB'S death
warrant lurches forward to grab the document, but not before
ANITCHKOV snatches it into his hand and RUSSIAN jumps forward,
asserting, "That document is now in the possession of the
Russian Consul!" (Note: and was sent to and preserved to this
day in Russia.)

369 In the mid-day sun, Armenian soldiers are loading their
rifles in the football field size barracks drill field
surrounded by a two-story high barracks. 10,000 spectators
gather on the roofs. A soldier on a ladder drives large stakes
12 feet above the ground into a structural beam with walls of
windows on either side.

370 Meanwhile, in Tehran, KID watches as MAJID reports to
MUSA and his wife that VAHID was martyred in southern Persia,
"They're taking Babi heads on bayonets to Shiraz."

371 Back in Tabriz, at an isolated spot on a back street,
SHAYKH gives a new hat and a horse to EYES, "Put this on and
get going."

372 In the detention cell, as FARRASH removes YOUTH for the
execution, COLONEL, an Armenian Christian commanding the firing
squad, is painfully trapped. To the BAB, "I am a Christian ...
I have nothing against you. I do not want to shed your blood
... but I have been ordered." The BAB'S reply, "Follow your
instructions. God is able to remove your fears." (Note: the
Shi'ites believed that the "true" expected prophet could not
die at the hands of non-believers. Thus, the Christian Armenian
regiment was selected to show the population that the BAB was a
false prophet.)

373 Outside, RUSSIAN is in the crowd on the barracks roof
taking copious mental notes of the event, "My God ... 750 men
in the firing squad." As YOUTH is brought to the ladder by the
beam, spectators move back realizing they might be right above
the line of fire. RUSSIAN sees the Armenians below grouping in
three long curved lines in arcs around the beam when panic
above the beam breaks out and the crowd pushes RUSSIAN over.
Meanwhile, the YOUTH has been suspended by short ropes from his
wrists to the stakes in the beam. Amid louder crowd sounds,
COLONEL and the BAB emerge into the field. Back on his feet,
RUSSIAN sees the front line of Armenians on their stomachs,
positioning their rifles; the second row kneeling and the third
row standing to fire over them. We are surprised to see EYES
enter the drill field gates. As the BAB is suspended with
YOUTH, COLONEL plants his feet and looks. The spectators are
hysterical, "Now he will rise to heaven." Looking down, raising
his fist, COLONEL screams, "Ready!" Rifles are cocked; the
crowd hushes. A child grips the nearby hand of an adult among
the spectators as COLONEL screams, "Aim!" COLONEL grimaces. A
mother puts her hand over the eyes of a two year old. COLONEL
thrusts his fist down, "Fire!" and flashes and smoke burst from
the rifles with a very loud sound.

374 Interior. Room behind the beam. About 8 feet above the
floor centered around the beam (and the BAB and YOUTH), a 10
foot wide circular area of the small rectangular window panes
on both sides of the beam suddenly bursts inward, shattered,
wooden frames and all, by 750 large musket bullets. The gunfire
sound echoes and...

375 Back outside. Very close, we see the ropes looped over
the iron stakes holding the prisoners, reduced to threads and
the plaster blowing off the beam at the bullet's impact,
leaving the stakes stuck in bare mud-bricks.

376 Back to low angle in the room behind the beam. A
tremendous uproar of the spectators is heard as we see and hear
dense smoke from the rifles suddenly gust inward through the
gaping semi-circular holes on each side of the beam. (This was
before the invention of smokeless powder.)

377 Back outside, it's chaos, hysteria and near darkness at
noon. A huge cloud of powder smoke fills the drill field;
spectators push forward to see. A female voice, "He has
disappeared!" As smoke clears, YOUTH is seen lying on the
ground at the base of the beam, a few inches of torn rope
dangling from his wrists. FARRASH grabs YOUTH'S forearm.
YOUTH, "Am I dead?"

378 In the dark detention cell, EYES breathes heavily as he
frantically gathers up papers that had been left behind, and
the uproar outside is heard. He hears a closer sound and looks
up at the doorway startled.

379 Back outside, the visibility has increased and the
crowd has turned ugly jeering the authorities, "Where is he?"
"A miracle," and the like. COLONEL examines YOUTH'S wrists as
FARRASH surveys the hostile spectators. The BAB is nowhere to
be seen and YOUTH is not even scratched, standing dazed and
grinning. FARRASH barks orders, "Close the gates! Find him!"
FARRASH jerks YOUTH out into plain view, thrusting YOUTH'S arm
in the air, shouting, "Look! The bullets cut the ropes! Look!
They just cut the ropes! That's all. No more! This is no
miracle!"
380 Back to the detention cell, we see that EYES now sits
calmly writing down the chanted words we hear of the BAB'S last
message (exactly as the BAB had promised would be done). When
FARRASH enters and looks at the BAB, he gasps, "Unhurt!".
Unruffled calm, the BAB, "I have finished my conversation. Now
you may proceed to fulfil your intention."

381-389 Postscript. A narrated sequence establishes several key
points. That the Christian commander, COLONEL, who had begged
the BAB himself to be relieved of his duty to execute him,
refused to make another attempt on his life. He took his
regiment from the scene, praising the BAB to his dying day.
That another (Muslim) regiment was brought in and the BAB and
the YOUTH were suspended on the same beam and shot to death.
The BAB had already said that his time had come. ANITCHKOV
ordered that a sketch be made of their remains; their bodies
were mashed together by the impact of the bullets ... literally
joined into one mass. They were physically inseparable,
recalling the BAB'S promise to the YOUTH, "You will always be
with me." But their faces were strangely free of marks from
the bullets.

The Muslims also believed that the body of a true prophet could
not be consumed by animals, so they threw the corpses into a
dry moat outside Tabriz, to be eaten by dogs. But some Babis
risked their lives to recover the remains, which 60 years later
were interred at a shrine in Haifa, Israel, where they remain
today, at the Baha'i World Center.

Though there were over 10,000 martyrs at the hands of religious
fanatics in Persia, the Babi message was not suppressed. They
were THE DAWN-BREAKERS.

THE END

Writer's commentary: Historians have called these the most
stunning and miraculous events surrounding the execution of a
public personage in all recorded history. That an unknown and
unlettered shopkeeper would pronounce that he was the "Gateway"
to a new era of history is itself a fascinating premise. But
that events would lend support to his fantastic claim would
seem to be fiction, if they were not well recorded facts.
Faithful to those facts, this motion picture shows the most
astounding execution sequence ever filmed in a true story.
Appendix F: Dawn-Breakers Visualizations
Character concept visualizations may include hair, make-up and costume elements and
contribute to the process of character creation.

Audiences may associate a kind of presence, style or “feel” with certain actors based
on roles played in previous movies. Such associations from prior audience experience
may help define or create a character if role concept sketches include some wellknown faces.
Thus, the reader may notice a Sam Waterston WRIGHT, a Linda Hamilton TAHIRIH, a
Humphrey Bogart SHAYKH, a James Dean QUDDUS, a Marlin Brando VAHID, a Lee
Marvin HUJJAT, an Anthony Perkins FARRANT, a Ringo Star NOSE, an Omar Sharif
ALI, a Charles Manson WOOL and an Alfred Hitchcock CONSTABLE. You can't have a
suspense thriller without a cameo or small role with Alfred on camera.

While considerable care for historical accuracy was applied to the story (Appendices A
and B) and events in the screenplay, please keep in mind that “The Dawn-Breakers”
project is a feature motion picture product for entertainment and hopefully
enlightenment. Strictly speaking, it is not a documentary made by historians for
history buffs. Hence, historical purists might criticize some hair, make-up and costume
elements in character creation as inaccurate. But as one person put it, “This is ‘J J
Keene’s The Dawn-Breakers’”.

اختر نصًّا ثانيًا لقراءته بالتوازي — ترجمةً، أو أيّ نصٍّ آخر.