June 1851: Baha’u’llah’s first exile

Mirza Taqi Khan

Soon after the martyrdom of the Báb, Mirza Taqi Khan, the Grand Vizier (the Prime minister) who was responsible for and had ordered the death of the Báb, and was now the Shah's brother-in-law, sought a meeting with Baha'u'llah. At this meeting in his office he stated in gently insinuating fashion:

"I am well aware of the nature and influence of your activities, and  am firmly convinced that were it not for the support and assistance which you have extended to Mulla Husayn and his companions, neither he nor his band of inexperienced students would have been capable of resisting for seven months the forces of the imperial  government. The ability and skill with which you have managed to direct and encourage those efforts could not fail to excite my admiration, but I have been unable to obtain any evidence whereby I could establish your complicity in this affair. I feel it a pity that so resourceful a person should not be given an opportunity to serve his country and sovereign. The thought has come to me to suggest that you visit Karbila in these days when the Shah is contemplating a visit to Isfahan. It is my intention to be enabled, upon your return, to confer upon you the position of Amir-Divan (Head of the Court) a function you could admirably discharge."  (‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

Although couched politely, this was tantamount to an order by the Prime Minister.