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The Grand Vazír’s scheming against the Báb bears fruit
Hájí Mírzá Áqásí , the Grand Vazír of the 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 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 have caused you no disappointment, and that you will at no time hesitate to inform us in case any grievances befall you. We fain would hope that you will continue to pray for our well-being and for the prosperity of our realm. 101ACT5
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