# The Dawn-Breakers Movie

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-20 — 1 clipping.*

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> 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.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> 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’”.
>
> — *The Dawn-Breakers Movie (Used by permission of the curator)*