- 1850-05-00 —
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.
- 1850-08-25 —
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.
- 1850-11-00 — 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]
- 1850-12-00 —
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]
- 1850-12-29 —
Hujjat died of his wounds. [B187; BRR122; BW18:382]
- DB573 says this was on 8 January 1851.
- 1851-01-02 —
End of the Zanján upheaval. [BW18:382]
- Hujjat, wounded in the right arm by a bullet 19 days previously, succumbed to his wounds. With the death of Hujjat the Bábí resistance weakens. A general assault by the royal forces ended the siege. [B187; BBR122; BW18:382; DB573–4]
- See Bab187 and DB574–7 for the fate of the survivors.
- See Bab187 and DB577–9 for the fate of Hujjat's body.
- About 1,800 Bábís were killed during the upheaval. [DB580, 598]
|