The Dawn-Breakers/Table of Principal Contents of the Narrative

The Dawn-Breakers by Nabíl-i-A‘ẓam Table of Principal Contents of The Narrative

Part One: Pre-Revelation Days

Chapter I: The Mission of Shaykh Aḥmad-i-Aḥsá’í

• His departure from Bahrayn to ‘Iráq
• His visit to Najaf and Karbilá
• His journey to Shíráz
• His stay in Yazd

a. His correspondence with Fath-‘Alí Sháh

b. His relations with Hájí ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb

c. The anecdote of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Qamsarí

d. The arrival of Siyyid Kázim-i-Rashtí

• His pilgrimage to Mashhad
• His triumphal entry into Tihrán
• His departure for Kirmansháh
• His return to Karbilá
• His journey to Mecca and Medina, and his death

Chapter II: The Mission of Siyyid Kázim-i-Rashtí

• His relations with Hájí Siyyid Muhammad-Báqir-i-Rashtí
• His allusions to the Promised One
• The anecdote of Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí

a. Siyyid Kázim’s visit to the Báb

b. The Báb’s attendance at the teaching classes of Siyyid Kázim

c. The Báb’s visit to the shrine of Imám Husayn

d. Shaykh Hasan’s visit to Shíráz and Máh-Kú

e. His meeting with Bahá’u’lláh in Karbilá

• References to the Promised One in the works of Siyyid Kázim
• The siege of Karbilá
• The allusions of Siyyid Kázim to his unfaithful disciples
• The account related by Shaykh Abú-Turáb
• The exhortations of Siyyid Kázim to his disciples
• The meeting of Siyyid Kázim with the Arab shepherd
• Death of Siyyid Kázim

Part Two: The Revelation of the Báb

Chapter III: The Declaration of the Báb’s Mission

• The arrival of Mullá Husayn in Karbilá
• Significance of the year ’60
• Departure of Mullá Husayn for Najaf and Búshihr
• Interview of Mullá Husayn with the Báb in Shíráz
• Arrival of Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí and his companions in Shíráz
• Arrival of Quddús in Shíráz
• The early days of the Báb

a. His birth

b. His school-days

c. His marriage

d. His stay in Búshihr

• Letters of the Living
• Reference to Táhirih
• Explanation of the term Bálá-Sarí
• Dismissal of Mullá Husayn
• Departure of Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí from Shíráz
• Story of ‘Abdu’l-Vahháb
• Sufferings of Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí
• The Báb’s farewell address to the Letters of the Living
• The Báb’s parting words to Mullá Husayn

Chapter IV: Mullá Ḥusayn’s Journey to Ṭihrán

• Visit of Mullá Husayn to Isfahán

a. His relations with the disciples of Hájí Siyyid Muhammad-Báqir

b. Story of the Sifter of Wheat

c. Conversion of Mullá Sádiq-i-Khurásání

• His stay in Káshán and Qum
• His experiences in Tihrán

a. His relations with Hájí Mírzá Muhammad-i-Khurásání

b. His meeting with Mullá Muhammad-i-Núrí, and his message to Bahá’u’lláh

Chapter V: Bahá’u’lláh’s Journey to Mázindarán

• His reference to Mírzá Buzurg
• His visit to Núr prior to Mullá Husayn’s arrival in Tihrán

a. His meeting with Mírzá Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Núrí

b. The two dreams of Mírzá Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Núrí

• His visit to Núr after Mullá Husayn’s arrival in Tihrán

a. His relations with His uncle Azíz

b. His meeting with Mullá Muhammad

c. His conversation with a dervish

d. The effects of Bahá’u’lláh’s visit to Núr

• The Vazír’s dream of Bahá’u’lláh
• The relations of Bahá’u’lláh with Hájí Mírzá Aqásí

Chapter VI: Mullá Ḥusayn’s Journey to Khurásán

• The instructions of the Báb to the Letters of the Living
• The first believers of Khurásán
• Mullá Husayn’s letter to the Báb

Chapter VII: The Báb’s Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina

• Incident related by Hájí Abu’l-Hasan-i-Shírází
• Reference to Journey in the Persian Bayán
• Arrival at Jaddih, and an incident on the way to Mecca
• The circumambulation of the Ka‘bih by the Báb
• His declaration to Mírzá Muhít-i-Kirmání
• His message to the Sherif of Mecca, and the account related by Hájí Níyáz-i-Baghdádí
• His visit to Medina

Chapter VIII: The Báb’s stay in Shíráz after the Pilgrimage

• The Báb’s return to Búshihr and farewell to Quddús
• Visit of Quddús to the Báb’s maternal uncle in Shíráz
• Meeting of Quddús with Mullá Sádiq-i-Khurásání
• Afflictions which befell Quddús and Mullá Sádiq

a. Interrogation by Husayn Khán of Mullá Sádiq

b. Account of an eye-witness regarding the persecution

• Return of the Báb to Shíráz

a. Incident related by leader of the Báb’s escort

b. The Báb’s meeting with Husayn Khán

c. Declaration of the Báb in the Masjid-i-Vakíl

• Reference to those who embraced the Faith in Shíráz
• The Báb’s communication to the believers in Karbilá
• Arrival of the believers at Kangavar, and their meeting with Mullá Husayn
• Their departure with Mullá Husayn for Isfahán
• Departure of Mullá Husayn for Shíráz
• Arrival of six believers at Shíráz
• Account related by Mullá ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Qazvíní
• Meeting of Nabíl with Mullá ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Qazvíní

Chapter IX: The Báb’s stay in Shíráz after the Pilgrimage (Continued)

• Departure of Mullá Husayn for Khurásán
• Siyyid Yahyá’s interviews with the Báb
• Conversion of Mullá Muhammad-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání
• Visits of Quddús to Kirmán, Tihrán, and Mázindarán

a. His relations with Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Kirmání

b. His visit to Tihrán

c. His stay in Barfurúsh

• Visit of Mullá Sádiq to Yazd

a. His relations with Mírzá Ahmad-i-Azghandí

b. His experience in the Masjid of Yazd

• Sufferings of Mullá Yúsúf-i-Ardibílí and others
• Reference to Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í
• Account related by Shaykh Sultán-i-Karbilá’í
• Advent of the second Naw-Rúz
• References to the mother and to the wife of the Báb
• Husayn Khán’s activities

a. Report of the chief of his emissaries

b. Husayn Khán’s directions to ‘Abdu’l-Hamíd Khán

• Arrest of the Báb, and outbreak of the plague

a. Flight of Husayn Khán

b. Recovery of the son of ‘Abdu’l-Hamíd Khán

c. Release of the Báb

• Farewell of the Báb to His relatives, and His departure from Shíráz

Chapter X: The Báb’s Sojourn in Iṣfáhán

• His letter to Manúchihr Khán
• The welcome extended by the Imám-Jum’ih

a. Honours accorded by the people to the Báb

b. Deference shown the Báb by the Imám-Jum’ih

c. The Báb’s commentary on the Súrih of Va’l-‘Asr

d. The Báb’s interview with Manúchihr Khán

• Fears of Hájí Mírzá Aqásí
• The Báb’s visit to Manúchihr Khán
• Reference to Mullá Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Hiratí
• Banquet offered to the Báb by Mírzá Ibráhím
• Death warrant of the Báb issued by the ‘ulamás of Isfahán
• The plan of Manúchihr Khán for the departure and return of the Báb to Isfahán
• Meeting of the believers with the Báb
• The Báb’s prediction of the approaching death of Manúchihr Khán
• Last days of Manúchihr Khán
• Dismissal of the believers
• Gurgín Khán’s communication to Muhammad Sháh
• Departure of the Báb for Káshán

Chapter XI: The Báb’s Stay in Káshán

• Dream of Hájí Mírzá Jání
• The Báb’s three days at the home of Hájí Mírzá Jání

a. Reference to Siyyid ‘Abdu’l-Báqir

b. The meeting of Mihdí with the Báb

Chapter XII: The Báb’s Journey from Káshán to Tabríz

• His approach to Qum
• His stay at the village of Qummrud
• His arrival at the fortress of Kinár-Gird
• His stay at the village of Kulayn

a. Arrival of a number of believers

b. Joy of the Báb at the gift and message from Bahá’u’lláh

c. An incident of the journey

d. Muhammad Sháh’s letter to the Báb

e. Fears, designs, and Motives of Hájí Mírzá Aqásí

• Last stage of the Báb’s journey to Tabríz

a. Arrival of the believers at the village Síyáh-Dihán

b. Intervention of Hujjat-i-Zanjání

c. The Báb’s farewell to His guards

d. The Báb welcomed by His youthful disciple

• The Báb’s arrival at Tabríz

a. Enthusiastic reception by the people of Tabríz

b. The Báb’s meeting with Hájí Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Milání and Hájí ‘Alí-‘Askar

c. Account related by Hájí ‘Alí-‘Askar

Chapter XIII: The Báb’s Incarceration in the Castle of Máh-Kú

• Account related by Siyyid Husayn-i-Yazdí
• Situation of Máh-Kú, and character of its people
• Attachment of inhabitants of Máh-Kú to the Báb
• Arrival of Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí, and the Báb’s message to him
• Dream of ‘Alí Khán-i-Máh-Kú
• Change in the attitude of ‘Alí Khán
• Reference to the Persian Bayán
• Visit of the Báb’s disciples to Máh-Kú
• Incidents in the life of the Báb at Máh-Kú
• Dream of the Báb prior to the declaration of His Mission
• Misfortunes befall Muhammad Sháh and his government
• Departure of Mullá Husayn from Mashhad on his pilgrimage to Máh-Kú

a. Motive of his departure

b. His visit to Tihrán

c. His arrival at Máh-Kú and dream of ‘Alí Khán

• Words of the Báb to Mullá Husayn
• Accusation against ‘Alí Khán, and the Báb’s consequent transference to Chihríq
• Farewell of the Báb to Mullá Husayn

Chapter XIV: Mullá Ḥusayn’s Journey to Mázindarán

• Departure of Mullá Husayn for Tihrán
• His stay at the home of Quddús in Barfurúsh
• Observations regarding Hájí Mírzá Aqásí and Mullá Husayn
• Instructions of Quddús to Mullá Husayn
• Interview of Mullá Husayn with the Sa’ídu’l-‘Ulamá’
• Departure of Mullá Husayn, and his arrival at Mashhad

Chapter XV: Ṭáhirih’s Journey from Karbilá to Khurásán

• Allusion to Bahá’u’lláh
• Epistle of the Báb to the believers
• Response of Táhirih to the appeal of the Báb

a. Her Activities in Karbilá

b. Her activities in Baghdád

c. Her stay in Kirmansháh and Hamadán

d. Her confinement in Qazvín

(1) Her reply to Mullá Muhammad

(2) Arrival of Mullá ‘Abdu’lláh, and murder of Mullá Taqí

(3) Imprisonment of the accused in Tihrán, and intervention and confinement of Bahá’u’lláh

(4) Appeal to Muhammad Sháh

(5) Execution of first Bahá’í martyr in Persia

(6) Attitude of Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, and intervention of Sadr-i-Ardibílí

(7) Massacre of Qazvín

(8) Effects of the massacre in Tihrán

e. Her deliverance by Bahá’u’lláh

(1) Her removal to Tihrán

(2) Effects of her departure from Qazvín

(3) Her attitude towards the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh

f. Her departure for Khurásán

(1) Instructions of Bahá’u’lláh to Áqáy-i-Kalím

(2) Her departure from Tihrán

Chapter XVI: The Conference of Badasht

• Departure of Bahá’u’lláh from Tihrán
• Departure of Quddús for Mázindarán
• Meeting of Bahá’u’lláh with Quddús in Sháh-Rud
• Their arrival at Badasht

a. Significance of the gathering in Badasht

b. Incident related by Shaykh Abú-Turáb

c. Differences among the believers

d. Reconciliation achieved by Bahá’u’lláh

e. Departure from Badasht

• The incident in Níyálá as related by Bahá’u’lláh
• Outcome of that incident

Chapter XVII: The Báb’s Incarceration in the Castle of Chihríq

• Attitude of the people of Chihríq towards the Báb
• The Báb’s instructions to an attendant
• Acceptance of the Message by uulamas and government officials

a. Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alí and his brother

b. Mírzá Asadu’lláh

c. A dervish from India

• Believers dismissed from Chihríq
• Incident concerning Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alí

Chapter XVIII: Examination of the Báb at Tabríz

• His visit to Urúmíyyih
• His arrival at Tabríz
• His examination by the ‘ulamás
• Indignity inflicted upon Him
• His return to Chihríq, and His epistle to Hájí Mírzá Aqásí

Chapter XIX: The Mázindarán Upheaval

• Mullá Husayn’s departure from Mashhad
• Death of Muhammad Sháh
• The Sa’ídu’l-‘Ulamá’’s appeal to the people of Barfurúsh
• Attack by the people of Barfurúsh on Mullá Husayn and his companions
• Repulse of the attack by Mullá Husayn
• Account related by Mírzá Muhammad-i-Furúghí
• Surrender of the people of Barfurúsh
• Renewed attempts by Mullá Husayn’s companions to sound the adhán
• Sortie from the caravanserai of the Sabzih-Maydán
• Intercession of the notables of Barfurúsh
• Instructions given to Khusraw-i-Qádí-Ka’la
• Incident in the forest of Mázindarán
• Arrival at the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Dream of the guardian of the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Attack and repulse of the horsemen of Qádí-Kalá
• Visit of Bahá’u’lláh to the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Liberation of Quddús
• Reference to the Black Standards
• Confinement of Quddús in the house of Mírzá Muhammad-Taqí
• Arrival of Quddús at the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Account related by Mírzá Muhammad-i-Furúghí
• Incidents in the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí concerning Quddús
• The Sa’ídu’l-‘Ulamá’’s appeal to Násiri’d-Dín Sháh
• Encampment of the army of ‘Abdu’lláh Khán-i-Turkamán near the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí
• First sortie from the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Message of Prince Mihdí-Qulí Mírzá to Mullá Husayn
• Second sortie from the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Injury sustained by Quddús
• Bahá’u’lláh’s attempt to join the occupants of the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí
• Reference to Bahá’u’lláh’s activities prior to the declaration of His Mission

Chapter XX: The Mázindarán Upheaval (Continued)

• Third sortie, and fall of Mullá Husayn
• Mullá Husayn’s last moments
• Reference to his burial and achievements
• Quddus’ warning to his companions
• Betrayal by Siyyid Husayn-i-Mutavallí
• Attack by Abbás-Qulí Khán-i-Laríjání
• Fourth sortie, and complete rout of the enemy
• Despatch of artillery from Tihrán
• Distress of the besieged
• Exhortations of Quddús to his companions
• Fifth sortie, and death of Ja’far-Qulí Khán
• Increasing distress of the companions
• A declaration by Quddús
• Sixth and last sortie
• Deliberation of the prince with chiefs of his staff
• Incident related by Áqáy-i-Kalím
• Desertion and capture of a number of the companions
• Oath taken by the prince to ensure safety of the besieged
• Abandonment of the fort
• Capture of a number of the companions
• General massacre
• Fate of three of the companions
• Martyrdom of Quddús
• List of the martyrs

Chapter XXI: The Seven Martyrs of Ṭihrán

• Effects of the Mázindarán disaster on the Báb
• Despatch of Sáyyah to the Shrine of Tabarsí
• The visit of Sáyyah to Tihrán, and meeting with Bahá’u’lláh
• Account of Nabíl’s early life
• Execution of the Seven Martyrs

a. Hájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí

b. Mírzá Qurbán-‘Alí

c. Hájí Mullá Ismá’íl-i-Qumí

d. Siyyid Husayn-i-Turshízí

e. Hájí Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Kirmání

f. Siyyid Murtadá

g. Muhammad-Husayn-i-Maraghi’í

• Incidents related by Bahá’u’lláh
• Burial of the Seven Martyrs

Chapter XXII: The Nayríz Upheaval

• Journey of Vahíd to Tihrán and Yazd
• Celebration of the Feast of Naw-Rúz in Yazd
• Activities of the Navváb-i-Radaví
• Tumult and dispersal of the enemy
• Declaration of Vahíd to the people of Yazd
• Repulse of the forces near the fort of Narin
• Proclamation of Vahíd to the inhabitants of Yazd
• Sortie ordered by Vahíd
• Departure of Vahíd’s wife for her father’s home
• Vahíd’s instructions to his servant Hasan
• Vahíd’s departure for Nayríz
• Vahíd’s appeal to the people of Nayríz
• First sortie from the fort of Khájih
• Second sortie from the fort of Khájih
• Division of labour in the fort
• Interception of Zaynu’l-Ábidín Khán’s message
• Renewed appeal to Prince Fírúz Mírzá
• Third sortie from the fort of Khájih
• Names of martyrs
• Oath taken by enemy to conclude peace
• Vahíd’s response to the enemy’s invitation
• Vahíd’s message to his companions, and treachery of Hájí Siyyid Abid
• Capture of the companions
• Martyrdom of Vahíd
• Fate of Vahíd’s companions

Chapter XXIII: Martyrdom of the Báb

• Motives of the Amír-Nizám for execution of the Báb
• Order of the Amír-Nizám to Navváb Hamzih Mírzá
• Disposal by the Báb of His documents
• Arrival of the Báb at Tabríz
• Order issued by the Amír-Nizám
• Confinement of the Báb in the barracks
• Incident related by Siyyid Husayn
• The Báb’s warning to the Farrásh-Báshí
• Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alí’s refusal to recant
• Issue of the Báb’s death-warrants
• Sám Khán’s request from the Báb
• The Báb’s miraculous escape
• Resignation of the Farrásh-Báshí
• Resignation of Sám Khán
• Renewed and final attempt on the Báb’s life
• Account related by Hájí ‘Alí-‘Askar
• Transference of the Báb’s remains to Tihrán
• Reference to Mírzá Áqá Khán-i-Núrí
• Effects of the Báb’s martyrdom

Chapter XXIV: The Zanján Upheaval

• Reference to the Báb’s afflictions
• Activities of Hujjat prior to his conversion
• Hujjat’s acceptance of the Báb’s Message
• Hujjat accused and summoned to Tihrán
• The Báb’s message to Hujjat
• Renewed complaints against Hujjat, and his transference to Tihrán
• The Báb’s arrival at Zanján and departure for Tabríz
• Hujjat’s incarceration in Tihrán
• Hujjat’s escape to Zanján
• The occasion for the enemy’s attack on Hujjat and his companions
• The enemy’s preparation for renewed assault
• Hujjat’s entry into the fort of ‘Alí-Mardán Khán
• Assault attempted by a siyyid
• Hujjat’s admonitions to his companions
• Sadru’d-Dawlih commissioned by the Amír-Nizám to lay siege to the fort
• The sufferings, labours, and temptations of the besieged
• Heroism of Zaynab, a village maiden
• Effects of the shouted prayers of the companions
• Hujjat’s petition to Násiri’d-Dín Sháh
• Arrest of bearer of petition, and despatch of reinforcements
• Effect on the companions of the news of the Báb’s martyrdom
• Despatch of the Amír-Tumán with further reinforcements
• Meeting of Azíz Khán-i-Mukrí with Hujjat
• Storming of the fort
• The Amír-Nizám’s warning to the Amír-Tumán
• Repulse of the combined forces of the enemy
• Death of Muhsin
• Nuptial celebrations in the fort
• Death of five sons of Karbilá’í ‘Abdu’l-Báqí
• Umm-i-Ashraf’s heroism
• Assistance rendered by the women
• Amír-Tumán’s attempt to deceive the companions
• Hujjat’s advice to his companions
• Resumption of the enemy’s offensive
• Wound sustained by Hujjat
• Capture of the fort, and its effects upon the besieged
• Repulse of further attacks on the companions
• Consultation of the Amír-Tumán with his staff
• Driving of underground passages
• Death of Hujjat’s wife and child
• Death of Hujjat, and his interment
• Last encounter
• Treatment of survivors
• Indignities inflicted on Hujjat’s body, and fate of his kinsmen
• Number of martyrs
• Sources of information

Chapter XXV: Bahá’u’lláh’s Journey to Karbilá

• Incidents related by Bahá’u’lláh
• Nabíl’s meeting with Mírzá Ahmad and Bahá’u’lláh in Kirmansháh
• Reference to Siyyid Basir-i-Hindí
• Reason for Bahá’u’lláh’s departure for Karbilá
• Nabíl’s departure with Mírzá Ahmad for Tihrán
• Bahá’u’lláh’s activities in Karbilá

Chapter XXVI: Attempt on the Sháh’s Life, and its Consequences

• Death of the Amír-Nizám
• Bahá’u’lláh’s return to Tihrán
• Bahá’u’lláh’s meeting with ‘Azím
• Attempt on the Sháh’s life
• Bahá’u’lláh’s imprisonment in the Síyáh-Chál
• Fate or would-be murderers
• Reign of terror
• Reference to Hájí Sulaymán Khán
• Reference to the Amír-Nizám’s repentance
• Incident related by the Most Great Branch
• Hájí Sulaymán Khán’s martyrdom
• Táhirih’s martyrdom
• Siyyid Husayn’s martyrdom
• Incidents in the Síyáh-Chál, as related by Bahá’u’lláh
• Attempts to prove Bahá’u’lláh’s complicity
• ‘Azím’s confession and death
• Bahá’u’lláh’s possessions plundered in Mázindarán
• Effects of the turmoil in Yazd and Nayríz
• Bahá’u’lláh’s release and banishment to Baghdád