Table of Contents
The Amír-Túmán’s deception is revealed
The delegation that Hujjat put together to send to the Amír-Túmán was composed of a number of the older Zanjání Bábí men who were highly respected by all. They were all men over eighty years of age. As a sign of goodwill, the delegation also had nine children, who were ten years old and younger. 79_ACT14 In spite of their age, they all walked to Amír-Túmán’s camp, carrying with them the sealed Qur’án which the Amír-Túmán had sent.
The Bábí delegation had barely arrived at the Amír-Túmán’s camp when his intentions became clear. They were kept waiting at the door of his tent for a long time, and then upon being received in, Amír-Túmán scornfully said to them: “A meaner and more shameless people than you, has never been seen!” 80_ACT14 and began to denounce them.
One of the old Bábís in the delegation began to plead their case, explaining how the Bábís were not rebels but supported the king and whatever was in the best interests of the government and the people; and how they had been unjustly attacked which is why in self-defense they had to take the steps they had. On hearing this, the Amír-Túmán’s asked his lieutenant beside him, what should he do. The lieutenant replied: “Nothing but the sword will deliver us from the abomination of this heresy.” 81_ACT14
On hearing this, one of the older Bábís who was over eighty years old, the highly dignified, white-bearded Darvísh-Saláh , cried out: “I still hold the Qur’án in my hand, and carry the declaration which you, of your own accord, chose to make. Are the words we have just heard our reward for having responded to your appeal?”82_ACT14 In response to this, the ruthless Amír-Túmán ordered that Darvísh-Saláh’s beard be torn out, and that he and all the whole delegation be thrown into prison.
The Bábí children in the delegation
The nine Bábí children in the delegation immediately attempted to escape. One of those who did manage to do so, described what happened:
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