Table of Contents
21 December 1848: The Prince and his mighty army fall
The messenger returned to the Prince, but the promise given by him to MullĂĄ Husayn was not upheld by the Prince. Instead of calling a gathering of the âulamĂĄ with MullĂĄ Husayn to hear and discuss the BĂĄbâs claims, the Prince lined up his forces for an attack.Â
The companions in the fort saw that three regiments of infantry and several regiments of cavalry were preparing to attack the fort. It was now the third day since the messenger had returned. It was still dark, as the sun had not risen. As they were getting ready to attack the fort, the Princeâs forces were shocked to hear the cry: âMount your steeds, O heroes of God!â. With QuddĂșs leading, MullĂĄ Husayn and two hundred and two of his companions rode out of the fort. They broke through the ranks of the Princeâs forces, and undaunted by the overwhelming forces arrayed against them and undeterred by the snow and mud which had accumulated in the roads, they made headway to VĂĄs-Kas, which was the Princeâs headquarters. MullĂĄ Husayn was leading the charge to the Princeâs base. The Prince, who was watching the movements of MullĂĄ Husayn, ordered his men to focus their fire on him. The bullets which they discharged were powerless to hold MullĂĄ Husayn back. He forced his way through the gate of the Princeâs base and rushed into the private apartments of the Prince. The Prince was now so panicked that he threw himself from a back window into the moat and escaped barefooted. The Princeâs men at his base, deprived of their leader, were now confused and panicked as well. They fled in every direction.15_ACT9 At the Princeâs base, the companions also came across a group of prisoners which they released. To their surprise the prisoners included MullĂĄ YĂșsuf-i-ArdibĂlĂ [one of the Letters of the Living]. He had been on his way to the fort but been intercepted and taken prisoner by the Princeâs men. He now joined the companions in the fort. 16_ACT9
As the companions forced their way through the section of the base reserved for the Prince, two other princes of royal blood were also killed. The companions found coffers filled with gold and silver in these princesâ lodgings. They left all of these untouched. The only two things they took were a pot of gunpowder and the favourite sword of the Prince. MullĂĄ Husaynâs own sword had been hit by a bullet, so when the companions presented the Princeâs sword to MullĂĄ Husayn, he now used that. 17_ACT9
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