Table of Contents
The other BábĂs back in the fort were however unaware of what had happened to these companions who had left. A few more days elapsed, and the army continued to refrain from any hostilities towards the fort. The impression given was that the army was fulfilling its promise.
Morning of 9 May 1849: The false promise is sealed with the Qur’án
On Wednesday morning, the ninth of May 1849, an emissary of the prince arrived at the fort and requested that two representatives be delegated by the besieged to conduct confidential negotiations with them in the hope of arriving at a peaceful settlement of the issues outstanding between them.
NabĂl records what happened next:
“The hostilities between us,” the prince remarked, “have been unduly prolonged. We, on both sides, have fought long and suffered grievously. It is my fervent wish to achieve an amicable settlement of our differences.” He took hold of a copy of the Qur’án that lay beside him, and wrote, with his own hand, in confirmation of his statement, the following words on the margin of the opening sĂşrih: “I swear by this most holy Book, by the righteousness of God who has revealed it, and the Mission of Him who was inspired with its verses, that I cherish no other purpose than to promote peace and friendliness between us. Come forth from your stronghold and rest assured that no hand will be stretched forth against you. You yourself and your companions, I solemnly declare, are under the sheltering protection of the Almighty, of Muhammad, His Prophet, and of Náṣiri’d-DĂn Sháh, our sovereign. I pledge my honour that no man, either in this army or in this