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dim light of the early dawn, we discerned in the distance the lonely figure of the Bab. He was coming towards us from the direction of Tihrán. “Did you believe Me to have escaped?” were His words to Muhammad Big as He approached him. “Far be it from me,” was the instant reply as he flung himself at the feet of the Bab, “to entertain such thoughts.” Muhammad Big was too much awed by the serene majesty which that radiant face revealed that morning to venture any further remark. A look of confidence had settled upon His [the Báb’s] countenance, His words were invested with such transcendent power, that a feeling of profound reverence wrapped our very souls. No one dared to question Him as to the cause of so remarkable a change in His speech and demeanour. Nor did He Himself choose to allay our curiosity and wonder.
99ACT5
The Grand Vazír’s scheming against the Báb bears fruit
Hájí Mírzá Áqásí , the Grand Vazír of the Sháh [Muhammad Sháh], had been a tutor of the Sháh from childhood and had immense influence over him.100ACT5 He was also crafty and scheming and was afraid if the Báb met the Sháh, that would influence the Sháh, and end Hájí Mírzá Áqásí’s own reign of power. He therefore convinced the Sháh that granting the Báb an audience would make it seem like the king is weak and encourage various other rebellious groups who had arisen recently to gain more power. He advised the Sháh that the best thing to do was to send the Báb far from the capital and other centres of activity. With this in mind, Hájí Mírzá Áqásí got the Sháh to send the Báb to the prison in Máh-Kú , which is in the furthest remote corner of the mountainous province of Ádhirbáyján and far from everything. Máh-Kú is located in at the furthest northwestern end of the land and about ten miles [about sixteen km] from the Turkish border. The Sháh’s order got to Kulayn. Politely phrased, as was the custom, the order was clear:
Much as we desire to meet you, we find ourself unable, in view of our immediate departure from our capital, to receive you befittingly in Tihrán. We have signified our desire that you be conducted to Máh-Kú, and have issued the necessary instructions to ‘Alí Khán, the warden of the castle, to treat you with respect and consideration. It is our hope and intention to summon you to this place upon our return to the seat of our government, at which time we shall definitely pronounce our judgment. We trust that we
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