Press coverage during the Ministry of the Báb

The Bábí and Bahá'í Faiths have sometimes appeared in non-Bahá'í sources. Indeed the news coverage of the Bábí and Bahá'í Faiths seems to have no little semblance to the early coverage of Jesus Christ. Consider the historical references by non-Christians taken as proof of His life. Then do not forget the other reformers and groups of that Day - John the Baptist, the Teacher of Righteousness and Essenes, Mani, Mandaeism, Mithraism, and struggles of war between Rome, Judea, and Persia.... Misconstruing the claims and intentions of the Manifestation and the abuse heaped on His early followers are among the things that are visible in review not to ignore issues of bias of West vs East, Christian vs Moslem, etc. Is this not another facet of the Return of Jesus?

Earliest mentions

Many Baha'is think of one of two "firsts" related to the history of the Babi/Baha'i Faiths generally: The whole process leading to the declaration of the Bab to Mullah Husayn, the first Letter of the Living on the evening of May 22, 1844 or the 1893 mention by Rev Jessup to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

But neither is what we're talking about here. The first first, so to speak, was a relatively private affair and each Letter had to declare themselves to the Bab individually until about October from which they were sent in various directions and only began to get public attention after that. The second thing that might come to mind, while known as early as the 1940s and thus commented on by the Guardian, has long been superseded as the first public mention of the religion in the West. Indeed even the first first implies a zero - the Bab's own first experience of revelation 4 April 1844.

Moojan Moomen has identified the first account in the West as being January 8, 1845 as an exchange of diplomatic reports not published in the newspapers. This was an account of the first Letter of the Living to be dispatched from the presence of the Báb - the second Letter of the Living and first Babi martyr, Mullá `Alí-i-Bastámí. See Momen's biography. The British diplomat who recorded these events was Henry Rawlinson who wrote first to Sir Stratford Canning, then Ambassador to Istanbul and it included a enclosure from the Governor of Kirmánsháh protesting the arrest in Ottoman lands of a Persian mullá. Followup exchanges continued through January into April where diplomatic records of events end. Ottoman state archives affirm his arrival in Istanbul where he is then sentenced to serve in the naval ship yards at hard labor - the Ottoman ruler refusing to banishment him as it would be "difficult to control his activities and prevent him spreading his false ideas."

It is also known that there is a delay in news arriving to London. In one case a June account authored in Persia being published Nov and another of August 9 appearing Oct 1. The variation of time might be due to notoriety of the story concerned. But there is minimum somewhere closer to 3 months?? The telegraph didn't reach Persia until near 1858. But once in London any news item was widely echoed, even internationally.

In addition to the theme of the return of the style of coverage of Jesus' time, in 1981 Momen had voiced a frustration over the the state of scholarship on the Bahá'í Faith - that there was "stagnation" and was "…replete with inaccuracies perpetuated from earlier writers…and were not regarded even by the authors themselves as definitive." He further characterizes that though the European sources were, "as far as possible" independent observers compared to that of muslim and Azalí scholars, they were "often dependent… on inaccurate or biased reports from their contacts." See also Moojan Momen for the Wilmette Institute.

Nader Saiedi, in Gate of the Heart, identifies three periods of style of the Revelation of the Bab:

• circa 1844 to early 1846 - interpretive/commentary phase - begins with the initial engagements with the public, changes to a withdrawal of His Writings from non-believers from about August 1845 to January 1846 and announces Mulla Husayn the gate of the Gate so that He also is not generally personally in contact with believers.

• early 1846 to July 1847 (arrival at Maku) - a phase of philosophical statements on metaphysics and creation

• July 1847 to July 1850 - a phase of legislation and anticipation of Him Whom God will make Manifest

The newspaper accounts are synchronistic with the first and third phases. Oddly the public newspaper echoes start around the time the Bab closes contact when accounts are written in August 1845 of events in June though it takes until November for them to be published apparently because the mail has to go through India before it reaches London to be published. This early report continues to ring at least until summer 1846 but no new news circulates. The next coverage begins after the events at the Shrine of Sheikh Tabarsi in late 1848/early 1849 during the third phase of the Báb's Revelation, and then growing again later in 1850 beginning chronologically just in the phase of His martyrdom and continuing into the autumn.

"Mahometan Schism" (1845-1846)

Main article: "Persia - or - Mahometan Schism"

Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi identified a very early mention of the Babi Faith in the West when he published the biography, The Báb: The Herald of the Day of Days in 1973. He identified the first newspaper story as entitled "Mahometan Schism" from The Literary Gazatte's story of 15 November 1845. This article was repeated in the London Times on November 19 and then in the US in The Eclectic Magazine of Jan/Apr 1846. The Jan/April 1846 article was the first of the series found - discovery was credited to Mr. Barry Watson, subsequently leading to the discovery of the Nov 15th and 19th articles by Moojan Momen. Robert Caldwalader announced the Nov 1 Times article in his 1976 article in World Order: ""Persia": An Early Mention of the Báb". This set of articles was then echoed many many times through 1846 in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand... it is doubtful all echoes have been identified. While the initial and a few echoes had been identified by Momen circa 1980 and Collins and MacEoin in 1997, it is certain that 5 times as many echoes have now been identified and more may well exist. In addition to the far larger spread of echoed stories, the most significant new find is of 6 Nov Bradford Observer, p. 7. Note the text is slightly different, beginning:

Among the recent arrivals from India (emphasis added) we find a letter dated Bushire, August 10th, from which we make the following curious extract…

This presents the suggestion there might be a letter that informed India first and account for some of the delay getting to Britain to be published in November.

Since the coverage was so wide, if locally brief, It would be of interest to see if there were reflections in society of this newspaper account. Another question that comes to mind is - is this coverage and echoes unusual. For example how does it compare to the coverage of Joseph Smith? Another side project....

"Rebellion in Khorassan" (1847-1848)

A summary of events published through the Catholic Telegraph (Cincinnati, Ohio) October 14, 1847 and then the Delhi Gazette reaching the Times in Feb 1848 includes a rebellion in Khorassan - this might be "the Salar" or perhaps the activity of Mulla Husayn.

The Báb, Shaykh Ṭabarsí (1848-1849)

Main article: "name of Bab"

A number of accounts begin to name the head of the "schism" as "Bab" treating it like His name and His followers as Babis. All of these appear in from May 1848 scattered through 1849 though the first story seems to have not been identified yet. The coverage occurs in English and French. Other than using the name the most significant find is that there is mention of previous coverage regarding "men, who occupied a small fort" which is probably the Battle at Fort Tabarsí.

Summary executions (1849)

First account not identified yet. Momen identified this event in the diplomatic exchanges as happening in July 1849.

The British Patriot, Sept 24, 1849, citing the Chronicle,(ed - the Morning Chronicle?) reported horrible scenes at the court of the Shah from the month of Ramadan that year. (not online yet.) Momen does mention this event but not necessarily with Babis ( but see statement of "beheading" below.) The Russian Ambassador Dolgorukov is the initiator. Diplomatic exchanges in February 1850 between Justin Sheil (recently married to Mary Sheil who published later- see Travelers and Scholars on the Bábí/Baha'i Faiths) and Lord Palmerston come together about this incident. Both Britain and Russia pressured the regime to end private summary judgements and executions like this and that people should be tried and punished publicly. Momen points out that this is pivotal when the Seven Martyrs of Teheran were martyred February 1850 it was done so publicly even though the trial was ineffectual. It is also noted the Bab was executed in public.

Coverage in newspapers has not yet revealed a specific mention of the Seven Martyrs but series of accounts beginning circa 3 March 1850 based on reports from Jan 2, before the martyrdom of the seven in Feb 1850, mentions possibly related views. A later and clearly larger record and analysis occurred in the Morning Post, London, 12 March 1850, p. 5. It summarizes the reports as earlier covered but adds broader statements that could include the affect of the events of the Seven Martyrs of Teheran. The major change being previously deciding guilt or innocence was a private affair followed by punishments in private of which the population might hear something later. For the Seven Martyrs an attempt was made at a public trial and public punishment and was significantly ineffectual, according to Momen's review, at assigning guilt and raised sympathy. This account afterwards, appearing the 12th of March, mentions "The Ministry... has incurred the hatred of the people by a system of violence, arbitrariness, and brutality never equalled even under the Government of the late Shah."

Following this exchange Momen makes a point of saying (in 1980) he knows of no newspaper references between the 1849 Revue de l'Orient and again in the Revue in the summer of 1850.

"A new religious sect" (1850)

Main article: A new religious sect

We've seen the initial news and the naming of it's Central Figure. The next mention makes it clear this is a new religion with a new Book. The main such Book, if that is what is being referred to, is the Persian Bayan, which was written end of 1847 or early 1848. The first story in this series so far found was in the 18 July 1850, Morning Post, p. 5, - it is uncertain it is the first. There are 31 known echoes of this story around the world (English speaking that is) as of March 2013.

A new religious sect has arisen in Persia, in consequence of the preachings of a man named Bab, who has written a new book to take the place of the Koran. He is said to have already made several thousand proselytes; and eighteen of these Babees, as his followers are called, have been publicly beheaded by order of the Shah.

Zanján upheaval (1850-1851)

Main article: Newspaper coverage of the Zanjan Upheaval

This account shows the new religion having a measure of influence in a population. The largest such event - taking several thousand people in a town together - is referred to as the Zanján upheaval and note is taken that the religion is growing even though its Founder has been executed. It is also the period of coverage which begins to mention a prominent woman follower who is inconsistently referred to. The first name published of her is "Bab-el-Bale", later as "Kurret-il-Ain".

Attempt on the life of the Sháh (1852-1853)

Main article: On the Attempt on the life of the Shah

The Guardian notes this episode as one that "a sorely persecuted Faith was about to be subjected through the shameful act of a fanatical and irresponsible Bábí, to a humiliation such as it had never before known.…" Nabil's Narrative also refers to it. News coverage appears to begin Oct 1, 1852 in London after news published in Istanbul after letters from Persia written in August. Several accounts were ultimately echoed many dozens of times in many countries. It is almost certain all the variations have not been found.

Some stories have been identified in Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.

After the first few accounts the prominent woman follower, sometimes "Lieutenant" of the Bab, is consistently named "Kurret-il-Ain" and that she has also been executed. As the accounts continue they begin to note "hundreds", then "thousands", then "20-30,000" Babis had been killed in a mass slaughter extending over months.

See also Nero's treatment of early Christians.

"Sheikh Babee" (1853)

In early June 3, 1853 a few newspaper accounts mention "a certain 'Babee'" or "Sheikh Babee" and of a spreading influence.

"In Persia, too, a certain 'Babee' with a dozen other names, has been, amid much nonsense it must be confessed, speaking well of the doctrines of the once despised Prophet of Nazareth, and has made many followers. Where are our missionaries to improve this commencement."

Back in May 4, on into July, this version is printed:

A new faith has been started in Persia by an apostate Mohomedan named Sheikh Babee, who denies the authenticity of the Koran, and will not recognise any but God, Moses, David, and himself. He has made many converts in some parts of Persia, and is giving the Shah much trouble, but, as Sheikh Babee has very unwisely promised his followers that he will bring back to life all those who are killed in defending their faith, his imposture cannot last very long.

This is followed by a near identical echo in The Zanesville Courier, (Zanesville, Ohio), 18 June 1853 • Page 2

…In Syria there had been much talk of the new faith which had been started in Persia by the apostate Mahomedan Sheikh Babee, who denies the authenticity of the Koran, and will not recognize any but God, Moses, David and himself. He has made many converts in Persia, and is giving the Schah much trouble. Babee has promised his followers that he will bring back to life all who are killed in defending the faith.…

Echoes have been found in and The Times-Picayune, (New Orleans, Louisiana), 20 June 1853 • Page 1 and June 21, 1853 page 4.

This reference does not appear to be in The Bábí and Bahá'í religions 1844-1944: some contemporary western accounts.

It's not clear what part of Syria is being pointed to. Note Akka was in the area of Syria in the Ottoman Empire included the province of Palestine circa 1850s. Baghdad was clearly east of the Syria region. But Baha'u'llah and the Babis hadn't even been summoned to Istanbul yet.

Travelers, scholars and writers

Main article: Travelers and Scholars on the Bábí/Baha'i Faiths

From 1856 accounts begin to appear in books written by those who say things, heard things, researched things. Momen has accounted for most of them.

While there were early accounts by others it wasn't until Arthur Gobineau and Kazem-Beg circa 1865 that thoughtful commentary began. After them much more occurred after EG Browne and ALM Nicholas circa 1890-1910 when they became the primary scholars echoed and began some awareness of the position of Baha'u'llah. Meanwhile others like religious clerics had their own views.

Further reading

Steve Cooney, ed. (May 2011). "European Language Bibliography: Babi Religion, Chronological, 1844 - current". Babi-Baha'i Bibliographies. Association of Baha'i Studies, New Zealand chapter. Archived from the original on Feb 8, 2013.

Ghadimi, Riaz; translated by Riaz Masrour (2009) [1984]. The Báb - The King of Messengers (PDF) (3rd ed.). www.juxta.com. ISBN 9780969802402.

MacEoin, Denis (2009). The Messiah of Shiraz: Studies in Early and Middle Babism. Iran Studies. Vol. 3 (illustrated ed.). BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-17035-3. In order to distance this work from the thought processes of true believers, I have deliberately written in a style designed to force a dislocation from the sort of pious veneration that closes the mind and leads to knee-jerk responses… the Bab was just a human being… (from page xx)

Warrick, David. "Declaration of the Báb" (pdf). Research. self.

"Mirza Malkam : L'inspirateur de la République Islamo-Maçonnique en Iran" (in French). iran-resist.org. Mar 20, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)(has several citations of works in 1850s.)

Momen, Moojan (Aug 8, 2000). "Premiers récits occidentaux sur les religions Babies et Baha'ies de 1844 à 1944" (in French). Médiathèque - Centre de Resources Baha'ies Francophones.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)

Momen, Moojan (1999). "Early Western Accounts of the Babi and Baha'i Faiths". Draft for The Baha'i Encyclopedia. bahai-library.com.

MacEoin, Denis; = William Collins. "Babi history". The Babi and Baha'i Religions: An Annotated Bibliography. Greenwood Press's ongoing series of Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) It noted several early newspaper accounts and other publications to a total of 231 entries to 1995 just on the Babi period. However of the 19th century it noted 9 stories repeated a total of 16 times. As of Feb 2013 new finds documented here raise this total considerably. Just the first story and its echoes now count at least 12 instances. And by March it had perhaps doubled from that.

William P. Collins (1990). Bibliography of English-language works on the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths, 1844-1985. G. Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-315-6. Retrieved 29 April 2013. The "most complete" bibliography in English, however it explicitly doesn't list newspapers systematically. It does list isolated coverage especially under section XI "Articles in Non-Bahá'í Periodicals" in 29 instances.

Amanat, Abbas (1989). Resurrection and renewal: the making of the Babi movement in Iran, 1844-1850. G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. Cornell University Press. ISBN 0-8014-2098-9.

Moojan Momen (1981) [1977]. The Bábí and Bahá'í religions 1844-1944: some contemporary western accounts. G. Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-102-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

Smith, Peter (1987). The Babi and Bahaʼi Religions: From Messianic Shiʻism to a World Religion (illustrated ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521301282.

M. Dean-Deibert (1978). "Early journalistic reactions to the Baha'i Faith: 1845-1912". World order. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. 12 (Summer 1978). Retrieved 29 April 2013.

See also

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