Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

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Date 1850, descending — sort earliest first

date event tags firsts refs
1850 29 Dec Hujjat died of his wounds. [B187; BRR122; BW18:382]
  • DB573 says this was on 8 January 1851.
    		•  Hujjat; Zanjan upheaval; Upheavals; Zanjan, Iran; Iran
    1850 early Dec Hujjat was wounded in the arm. His companions laid down their arms and rushed to his assistance. The royal forces took advantage of the lull to breach the fortifications. [B187; BBR121; DB569]
  • About 100 women and children were taken captive. They were left exposed in the open for 15 days without food, shelter or appropriate clothing. [BBR121; DB569–70]
  • The remaining Bábís, about 140, sheltered in Hujjat's residence under fierce attack. [BBR121]
  • The bombardment of the fortress was stepped-up and Hujjat's house was particularly targeted. Hujjat's wife and baby were killed. [B187; DB572–3]
    		•  Hujjat; Zanjan upheaval; Upheavals; Zanjan, Iran; Iran
    1850 Nov-Dec Muhammad Khán, the commander of the government forces at Zanján, tried to deceive Hujjat into surrendering by drawing up a peace proposal. Hujjat, recalling Tabarsí and Nayríz, responded by sending children and old men to Muhammad Khán, who had them thrown into a dungeon. This signalled the beginning of the final month-long siege at Zanján. [B186–7; DB564–8] Muhammad Khan; Hujjat; Zanjan upheaval; Upheavals; Zanjan, Iran; Iran
    1850 3 Oct Two of Vahíd's companions were executed in Shíráz. Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Shiraz, Iran; Iran
    1850 25 Aug The arrival of 'Azíz Khán-i-Mukrí, commander-in-chief of Iran's army, in Zanján where the fighting began in May continues. He took charge of the operation. [BBR119; BW18:382; DB556]
  • For the story of Ashraf and his mother see DB562–3.
    		•  Aziz Khan-i-Mukri; Commander-in-chief; Zanjan upheaval; Upheavals; Ashraf; Mothers; Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Zanjan, Iran; Iran
    1850 Aug c. Mullá Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikání (Hájí Amín), Hand of the Cause, became a Bábí. Hájí Amin (Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikani); Hands of the Cause
    1850 Jul The Faith of the Báb had spread to two countries at this point, Iran and Iraq. [MBW147]
  • Bab148–60, 202–3; BBD147; BBR77–82; DB510–17; GPB49–55; TN26–7.
  • By this time "there was no province in the entire country in which from a few up to ten Bábí communities had not been established. These early Bábí communities of Muslim converts, who were generally from Shaikhi background, had come from various strata of Persian society, although a few Jews and Zoroastrians had also joined the movement (Māzandarānī, 1943, p. 395; Samandar, p. 348)". [BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati]
    		• Statistics; Bábí history; Iran; Iraq; Middle East Early mention of Bábís in western newspapers summer 1850">Early mention of Bábís in western newspapers summer 1850
    1850 11 Jul The bodies were removed from the moat and taken to a silk factory. [B159–60; DB519]
  • The bodies were wrapped in a cloak and removed to a silk factory owned by one of the believer of Mílan and deposited in a small wooden casket. [B159–60; DB519]
  • See B159–60, DB518–22 and TN27–8, The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical & Comparative p20-22 for the story of the recovery of the bodies and eventual arrival in Haifa.
  • The soldiers reported that the bodies had been eaten by dogs. [B160; DB519]
    • Shi'is believe that dogs would not eat the flesh of 'holy imams' as their bodies are not composed of the same substance as that of ordinary people. [TN27-28]
    • Some time later, at Bahá'u'lláh's instructions, the casket was transported to Tehran and concealed in the shrine of Imám-Sádih Hasan.
    • And still later yet the remains were removed to the home of Hájí Sulaymán Khán and subsequently transferred to the shrine of Imám-Zádih Ma'súm.
    		•  Báb, Martyrdom of; Báb, Remains of; Tabriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 10 Jul The Russian Consul had an artist make a sketch of the body of the Báb. [Bab159; DB518; TN28; Sunburst P128-129]
  • See BBR43 for details of the drawing made by Consul Bakulin.
    		•  Russian officials; Consuls; Báb, Sketches of; Báb, Martyrdom of; Báb, Life of; Tabriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 9 Jul Martyrdom of the Báb

    In the morning the Báb was taken to the homes of the leading clerics to obtain the death-warrants. [Bab155; DB508]

  • The warrants were already prepared. [Bab155–6; DB510]
  • Anís's stepfather tried to persuade him to change his mind. Anís's young son was also brought to 'soften his heart' but Anís's resolve remained unshaken. [Bab156–7; DB509–10]
  • At noon the Báb and Mirza Muhammad-Ali Zunuzi, known as Anis were suspended on a wall in the square in front of the citadel of Tabríz in Sarbazkhaneh Square. They were shot by 750 soldiers in three ranks of 250 men in succession. [Bab157; DB512]
  • When the smoke cleared the Báb was gone and Anís was standing, unharmed, under the nail from which they were suspended. The Báb, also unhurt, was found back in his cell completing His dictation to His secretary. [Bab157–8; DB512–13]
  • See BBD200–1 and DB510–12, 514 for the story of Sám Khán, the Christian colonel of the Armenian regiment which was ordered to execute the Báb.
  • The Báb and Anís were suspended a second time. A new regiment, the Násirí, was found to undertake the execution. After the volleys, the bodies of the Báb and Anís were shattered and melded together. [Bab158; DB514]
  • See BBR77–82 for Western accounts of the event.
  • The face of the Báb was untouched. [Bab158]
  • At the moment the shots were fired, a gale sweeps the city, stirring up so much dust that the city remained in darkness from noon until night. [Bab158; DB515]
  • See CH239 and DH197 for the story of the phenomenon of the two sunsets.
  • During the night, the bodies were thrown onto the edge of the moat surrounding the city. Soldiers were posted to stand guard over them and, nearby; two Bábís, feigning madness, keep vigil. After paying bribes to the guards, tIhe bodies were removed and hidden under cover of darkness. [Bab159; TN27; LWS147]
  • See David Merrick's Outline for Researchers.
  • See Sen McGlinn's blog 750 Muskets.
  • See It was in the news.... In this blog SMK points out the parallel between the history of early Christianity and that of the Bábí-Bahá'í Faith.
    		• Báb, Martyrdom of; Báb, Life of; Báb, Remains of; Holy days; Anís Zunízí (Mírzá Muhammad-`Alíy-i-Zunízí); Sam Khan; - Basic timeline, Condensed; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Báb, Basic timeline; Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Tabriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 8 Jul The Báb, divested of His turban and sash, was taken on foot to the barracks in Tabríz. Mírzá Muhammad-'Alíy-i-Zunúzí, Anís, threw himself at the feet of the Báb and asked to go with Him. [Bab153; DB507]
  • That night the Báb asked that one of His companions kill Him, rather than let Him die at the hands of His enemies. Anís offered to do this but was restrained by the others. The Báb promised that Anís will be martyred with Him. [Bab154–5; DB507–8]
    		•  Báb, Life of; Báb, Martyrdom of; Turbans; Barracks; Anís Zunízí (Mírzá Muhammad-`Alíy-i-Zunízí); Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Báb, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Tabriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 29 Jun The Báb arrived in Tabríz. [BBR76]
  • BBRXXIX says He arrived on 19 June.
  • RR397 says He arrived two days after the government troops succeeded in suppressing the first Nayríz uprising.
    		•  Báb, Life of; Báb, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Tabriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 29 Jun Vahíd was martyred in Nayríz. [Bab182; BW18:381; DB495, 499; GPB42; RB1:265]
  • See DB494 for details of his martyrdom.
  • His body was dragged through the streets to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals. [RB1:265; For24]
  • See SDH13 for a respectful opinion of Vahíd expressed by an enemy of the Cause, one of the army chiefs who had fought against Vahíd.
  • See PG109-110 for the story of Jenabeh Vahid's show of reverence towards the Báb.
    		•  Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Nayriz, Iran; Tabriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 Jun The first known written Bábi marriage certificate was between Mírzá Muhammad Ja'far Khan and Tuba Khánum, the daughter of Vahid. It was signed and dated a few days before Vahid's martyrdom and was written in Vahid's handwriting. The dowry was set at one Vahid (19 mithqals of gold). [Vahid's Heroic Stand - Nayriz 1850 video at 11min 21seconds] Mírzá Muhammad Jafar Khan; Tuba Khanum; Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Marriage; Marriage certificate; Nayriz, Iran; Iran first written Bábi marriage certificate
    1850 24 Jun The severed heads of 13 Bábís arrived in Shíráz from Nayríz. They were raised on lances and paraded through the town. [B182; BW18:381] Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Nayriz upheaval; Upheavals; Shiraz, Iran; Nayriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 21 Jun End of the first Nayríz upheaval. [BBRXXIX, 112]
  • Vahíd was forced to write to his companions in the fortress to assure them that a settlement had been reached. The Bábís left the fort, were set upon and killed. [Bab181; BW18;381]
    		•  Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Nayriz upheaval; Upheavals; Nayriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 17 Jun At Nayríz, Vahíd received a message from the Governor offering a truce and a promise of safety written on the Qur'án. He, together with five attendants, leave the fortress and were received into the camp of his enemies where he was entertained with great ceremony for three days. [B180–1; BW18:381] Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Truces; Nayriz upheaval; Upheavals; Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Other; Persecution; Nayriz, Iran; Iran
    1850 Jun c. The Amír-Nizám, Mírzá Taqí Khán was determined to execute the Báb to halt the progress of His religion. On his orders the Báb was taken from Chihríq to Tabríz. [Bab152; BBR76–7; GPB51]
  • His guard took Him on a circuitous, much longer route through Urúmíyyih where His presence was noted by American missionaries. [Bab152; BBR73, 76]
  • Forty days before the Báb was to leave Chihríq He collected all His documents, Tablets, pen cases, seals, His agate rings, and His last Tablets to Mírzá 'Abdu'l-Karím Qazvíní, and put them in a coffer. He entrusted it to Mullá Báqir, one of the Letters of the Living, and instructed him to deliver it to His secretary. In the event that something should happen to Himself, the secretary was to proceed to Tihrán to deliver the box to 'Jináb-i-Bahá', that is, Bahá'u'lláh. In His last Tablets, Mírzá Husayn-'Alí Núrí was referred to again and again as "Him Whom God shall make Manifest" also, He was referred to as "Bahá'u'lláh". [CH49; Bab151–2; DB504–5; TN25–6]
  • When the box was opened they found a Tablet in the form of a pentacle with 500 verses consisting of derivatives of the word 'Bahá'. [Bab151–2; DB504–5; TN25–6]
  • This Blessed Tablet of the Bab was obtained in Cyprus by the Larnaca District Commissioner Claude Delaval Cobham, and he donated it to the British Library. It had been in the possession of Mirza Yayha in Famagusta. Mishkin-Qalam served Cobham toward the end of his 18 year exile in Cyprus, as a translator, which has nothing to do with this Tablet but it is interesting Baha'i history in Cyprus. [from an message from Anita Graves, National Bahá'í Archivist, Cyprus to Janis Zrudlo 25 April 2021.
    • Here is a link to a similar tablet at the British Libary website.
    • See Gate of the Heart 329-330 for a further explanation of the symbol of the pentagram and the circle.
    		• Mírzá Taqi Khan; Báb, Life of; Missionaries; Mulla Muhammad Baqir-i Tabrizi; Letters of the Living; Bahá'u'lláh, Life of; * Báb, Writings of; Relics; Box with writings; Boxes; Greatest Name; Báb, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Chihriq; Tabriz, Iran; Urumiyyih; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1850 27 May-
    21 Jun    		 First Nayríz upheaval.

    Vahíd traveled from Yazd towards Shíráz, eventually coming to Nayríz. He went to the Mosque of Jum'ih where he ascended the pulpit and proclaimed the Cause of God. The governor moved against him and Vahíd ordered his companions to occupy the fort of Khájih. The siege that followed lasted a month. [B178, 204–5; BBR109–13; BW18:381; For23]

  • See RB1:325–31 for the story of Vahíd. See also GPB50, KI223.
  • See also B178–82; BBD171; BBR109–13; BBRSM28, 216; DB485–99; GPB42–4; RB1:264; TN245.
  • See BW19p381 for a chronicle of events.
      The main events were:
    • 27 May: Entry of Vahid into Nayriz; his address at the Jum'ih mosque; the Governor made moves against him; Vahid ordered his companions to occupy the fort of Khájih..
    • about 6 June: Arrival of Mihr-'Ali Khan-i-Nuri with troops from Shiraz.
    • about 8 June: Night sortie by Bábis routed troops.
    • about 9 June: Prolonged fighting on this day led to many deaths on both sides.
    • 17 June: Vahid, having received a promise of safety written on the Qur'án, left the fort for Mihr-'Ali Khan's camp.
    • 21 June: The Bábis were, through treachery, induced to leave the fort, then set upon and killed.
    • 24 June: The arrival in Shiraz of thirteen severed heads of Bábfs which were paraded through the town.
    • 29 June: Martyrdom of Vahfd.
    • 11 July: Mihr-'Ali Khan arrived in Shiraz with Bábi' prisoners and decapitated heads.
    		• Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Mosques; Mosque of Jumih; - Governors; Fort Khajih; Nayriz upheaval; Upheavals; Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Other; Persecution; Nayriz, Iran; Yazd, Iran; Shiraz, Iran; Iran First Nayríz upheaval
    1850 19 May The Governor sent a mob against Hujjat, (Mulla Muhammad-Ali) which was dispersed by Mír Saláh. The Governor sent to Tihrán for reinforcements and the town Zanján was split into two camps. [BW18:381]

  • See BBD245 and GPB45 for the story of Zaynab, the Bábí woman who dressed as a man and defended the barricades.
  • Zaynab and the Women of Zanjan.
  • The first episode of a podcast about Zaynab.
    		•  - Governors; Hujjat; Mir Salah; Zaynab; Gender; Women; Equality; Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Mobs; Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Zanjan, Iran; Iran
    1850 16 May Martyrdom of Shaykh Muhammad-i-Túb-Chí in Zanján, the first of the martyrs. [BBR115; DB542–3] Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Firsts, other; Zanjan, Iran; Iran first of the martyrs
    1850 13 May 1850 - 2 Jan 1851 c. The start of the Zanján upheaval. Hujjat had converted a sizeable proportion of the town and tension mounted between the Bábís and the 'ulamá. [DB540–1, 527–81; Bab185–8, 209–13; BBD111, 245; BBR114–26; BBRSM28, 216; GPB44–5; TN245]
  • See BW19p381 for this chronicle of events by Moojan Momen.
    • 19 May: Mir Salah dispersed a mob sent against Hujjat by the Governor; the Governor sent to Ṭihrán for reinforcements; the town divided into two.
    • 1, 13 and 16 June: Arrival of troop reinforce ments.
    • 1 July: Capture of an important Bábi position.
    • 25 July: Capture of an important Bábi' position.
    • 4 August: Fierce fighting ending in Bábi victory and recapture of lost positions.
    • 17 August: General assault on Bábi positions repelled, but Bábi's lost ground.
    • 25 August: Arrival of 'Aziz Khan-i-Mukri, commander-in-chief of 1ran's army.
    • 3 September: General assault ordered by 'Aziz Khan repelled.
    • 11 September: Arrival of troop reinforcements.
    • early October: Bombardment and assault took several Bábi' positions, leaving the Bábis confined to a small number of houses.
    • mid-November: Arrival of further reinforcements.
    • 29 December: Martyrdom of Hujjat.
    • about 2 January 1851: General assault resulted in capture of remaining Bábi' positions and killing of several hundred Bábi men and women. End of Zanjan upheaval.
    		• Hujjat; Zanjan upheaval; Upheavals; Ulama; Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Other; Persecution; Zanjan, Iran; Iran Newspaper coverage of the Zanjan Upheaval">Newspaper coverage of the Zanjan Upheaval
    1850 (Spring) The house of Vahíd in Yazd was attacked by crowds and pillaged. The crowd was dispersed by Mullá Muhammad-Ridá. Vahíd left Yazd. [BW18:381; DB466–75] Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Mulla Muhammad-Rida (Ridar-Ruh); Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Mobs; Persecution; Yazd, Iran; Iran
    1850 19 or 20 Feb Martyrdom of the Seven Martyrs of Tihrán. Seven of the Bábís were executed in Tihrán on the false charge of having plotted to kill the Grand Vizier. [B182–5; BBD225; BBR100–5; BBRSM28, 216; BKG71; BW18:381; DB462; GPB47–8; BW19p381]
  • See BBD225, BBR100 and BW18:381 for a list of their names.
  • Three of the victims were so eager to be martyrs that they asked the executioner if they could be the first to die. [Bab183; BBD225; GPB47]
  • Their bodies were left in the public square for three days. [BBD225; GPB47]
  • See GPB478 for the chief features of the episode.
  • The martyrs are the 'Seven Goats' referred to in Islamic traditions that were to 'walk in front' of the promised Qá'im. [GPB47–8]
  • See Bab206–7 and BBR100–5 for the accounts of the event and responses of Prince Dolgorukov and Lt-Col Sheil.
  • The were: Haji Mirzá Siyyid 'Ali (uncle of the Báb, the middle brother, known as "The Greatest Uncle"), Mirzá Qurban-'Ali, Haji Mullá Isma'il-i-Qumi, Sayyid Husayn-i-Turshizi, Háji Muhammad-Taqiy-i-Kirmani, Muhammad—Husayn-i-Maraghi'i. [BW19p381]
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles for the story of the three uncles of the Báb, Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali (the Greatest Uncle - he was the middle brother), Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad (the Greater Uncle, the eldest) and Haji Mirza Hassan Ali, the younger Uncle.
    		•  Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution; Seven martyrs; Seven martyrs of Tihran; Grand Viziers; Prince Dolgorukov; Sheil; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1850 19 - 20 Feb The Bábi group in Tehran had been infiltrated by an informer who betrayed about fifty of its members to the authorities. Fearing a plot the government had seven of the leading members of the group executed including the Báb's uncle and guardian. These men were of high social status, three merchants, two prominent ulama, a Sufi spiritual guide and a government official. [BBRSM28] Persecution, Iran; Persecution, Arrests; Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1850 15 Jan Mullá Ádí-Guzal arrived in Mázindarán and carried out the Báb's request. [DB432] Mulla Adi-Guzal; Báb, Life of; Mazandaran, Iran; Iran
    1850 - 1851 Birth of Mírzá `Alí-Muhammad-i-Khurásání, (b. 1850-1851 Mashad, d. 2 April 1928 in Tehran) later known as Ibn-i-Asdaq, Hand of the Cause.
  • His father, Mullá Sádiq-i-Muqaddas had left his native Khurasan and travelled to the city of Karbila where he saw the Báb. Subsequently he went to Isfahan where he encountered Mullá Husayn Bushrui who led him to the recognition of the Promised One. He and Quddús were later dragged through the streets of Shiraz and expelled from the city. [PG108; Bahá'í Encylopedia Project]
    		• Ibn-i-Asdaq (Mírzá `Alí-Muhammad); Hands of the Cause; Hands appointed by Bahá'u'lláh; Births and deaths; Births and deaths; Khurasan, Iran; Karbala, Iraq; Iraq; Mashhad, Iran; Iran
    1850 (Early in the year) Vahíd clashed with the authorities in Yazd. He escaped and made a missionary journey through Fárs. [B178–9; DB466–71; BBRSM28, 216]
  • B204–5 says Lt-Col Sheil reported it to London in February; BBRSM28, 216 says it was January or February; DB466 sets it at Naw-Rúz 1850 and DB468 says that the siege carried on for 40 days.
  • See BBR106–9 for the various dates assigned to this event and for the difficulties in dating it.
    		•  Vahid (Siyyid Yahyay-i-Darabi); Yazd, Iran; Fars, Iran; Iran

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