Qájárs

The Qájár dynasty (Persian: قاجار; also transliterated as Ghajar or Kadjar) was the ruling family of Persia during the times of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. They were responsible for the martyrdom of the Báb and the imprisonment and exile of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Qájár dynasty was founded in 1794 after Áqá Muhammad Khán Qájár emerged victorious from a protracted civil war that followed the death of Karim Khán, ruler of the Zand dynasty. He was assassinated in 1797, with his nephew Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh Qájár acceding to the throne. Fatḥ-‘Alí Sháh later called Mírzá Buzurg, the father of Bahá’u’lláh, into his service as a calligrapher and vizier.^[1] Mírzá Buzurg continued in his service after the succession of Muhammad Sháh Qájár in 1834, but fell afoul of the new grand vizier Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí, whose machinations led to Buzurg losing his high station in government and many of his possessions.^[2]^[3] Despite this, Áqásí mostly treated Bahá’u’lláh with deference and cordiality.^[4]

After the declaration of the Báb, Muhammad Sháh confidentially sent Vahíd, one of his closest and most respected advisors, to inquire into the Báb's claims and assess their legitimacy.^[5] After meeting with the Báb three times, Vahíd became a Bábí.^[6] Later, when the Báb travelled to Iṣfahán, the governor, Manúchihr Khán, hosted the Báb in his home and declared his belief in His message. The governor told the Báb of his intention to arrange a meeting with the Sháh, who placed great confidence in him; the Báb, praising him for his noble intention, foretold that such a meeting would not take place, explaining that both their days were numbered and that the victory of His Cause would be achieved through other means. As the Báb predicted, the governor passed away several months later.^[7] Muhammad Sháh, upon discovering the late governor's intention, called for the Báb to be brought covertly to Tehran.^[8] With the fame and influence of the Báb growing, Áqásí became concerned that the Sháh might also accept His claims, thus replacing Áqásí as the man on whom the Sháh relied for spiritual power.^[9]^[10] When he learned of the Sháh's order, Áqásí arose and eventually convinced him to send the Báb instead to Mah-Kú.