The government forced a Bábi youth to identify the disciples of the Báb in Tihran – took him also into Bahá’u’lláh’s presence in the Síyáh-Chál

A youth named Abbás, a former servant of Hájí Sulaymán Khán,[an influential Bábi who had frequent gatherings of the Bábis at his house] and fully informed, owing to the wide circle of friends whom his master cultivated, of the names the number, and the dwelling places of the Báb’s disciples, was employed by the enemy as an instrument ready to hand for the prosecution of its designs. He had identified himself with the Faith of his master, and regarded himself as one of its zealous supporters. At the outset of the turmoil, he was arrested and compelled to betray all those whom he knew to be associated with the Faith. They sought by every manner of reward to induce him to reveal those who were his master’s fellow-disciples, and warned him that, should he refuse to disclose their names, he would be subjected to inhuman tortures…

This Abbás was taken to the Síyáh-Chál and introduced to Bahá’u’lláh, whom he had met previously on several occasions in the company of his master, in the hope that he would betray Him. They promised that the mother of the Sháh would amply reward him for such a betrayal. Every time he was taken into Bahá’u’lláh’s presence, Abbás, after standing a few moments before Him and gazing upon His face, would leave the place, emphatically denying ever having seen Him. 

- Nabil  (‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

An incident recalled by ‘Abdu’l-Baha during those days when Baha’u’llah was in the Síyáh-Chál

I have heard the Most Great Branch, who in those days was a child of only eight years of age, recount one of His experiences as He ventured to leave the house in which He was then residing:

“We had sought shelter, He told us, “in the house of My uncle, Mírzá Ismá’íl. Tihrán was in the throes of the wildest excitement. I ventured at times to sally forth from that house and to cross the street on My way to the market. I would hardly cross the threshold and step into the street, when boys of My age, who were running about, would crowd around Me crying, ‘Babi! Bábí. Knowing well the state of excitement into which all the inhabitants of the capital, both young and old, had fallen, I would deliberately ignore their clamour and quietly steal away to My home.

“One day I happened to be walking alone through the market on My way to My uncle’s house. As I was looking behind Me, I found a band of little ruffians running fast to overtake Me. They were pelting Me with stones and shouting menacingly, ‘Babi! Bábí!’ To intimidate them seemed to be the only way I could avert the danger with which I was threatened. I turned back and rushed towards them with such determination that they fled away in distress and vanished. I could hear their distant cry, ‘The little Bábí is fast pursuing us! He will surely overtake and slay us all!’

“As I was directing My steps towards home, I heard a man shouting at the top of his voice: ‘Well done, you brave and fearless child! No one of your age would ever have been able, unaided, to withstand their attack.’

“From that day onward, I was never again molested by any of the boys of the streets, nor did I hear any offensive word fall from their lips.” 

- Nabil  (‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

Ásíyih Khanum took temporary refuge in the house of her aunt

During the first day of alarms, hiding from the Bábí-hunters, the family, with younger half-brother Muhammad-Qulí' took refuge in the house of Lady Ásíyih's aunt, whose husband was a Government official, 'Uncle Ismá'íl' to the small 'Abbás.[‘Abdu’l-Baha] Finding that their presence endangered the host family, lady Ásíyih returned briefly to the looted house, in which they lived in destitution. Lady Ásíyih had been able to preserve only some few items from her marriage dowry, including gold buttons from her wedding garments, to sell for what they might bring for food or other needs. 

- David Ruhe  (‘Robe of Light: The Persian Years of the Supreme Prophet Bahá’u’lláh 1817-1853)