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..The Bab's own eloquence and radiant charm warmed the hearts of many. And when the upper officials of Church and State, at the end of two years and more, took stock of the situation they found that the Bab had captivated the hearts of high and low in the important Shiih city of Isfahan and that His Cause was now spreading among the merchant class, through the Army and the landed gentry. Thoroughly alarmed at the result of their slackness, they formed a carefully designed plan which they would pursue remorselessly till this monstrous heresy (as they thought it) had been stamped out. (66:1) In 1847 the Bab was carried to the lonely mountain fortress of Adhirbayjan and there imprisoned first in the castle of Mah-Ku and then in that of Chihriq, where He spent the short remainder of His life. Shiih Mullas denounced His teaching and from their pulpits incited their congregations against all Babis, appealing to their fanaticism. Babis were assaulted, their houses entered and spoiled, their women maltreated. The courts gave no protection, no redress. The Babis were practically outlawed. (66:2) In three neighbourhoods, those of Tabarsi, of Nayriz and of Zanjan, the Babis stood at bay and were only overcome by the King's troops using perjury and treachery as well as overwhelming numbers. (66:3) Deeply angered by the cruel imprisonment of their beloved Lord, the Babis fought back in His name, with such success that the new Prime Minister resolved to end this conflict at once by putting the Bab to death, with or without legal warrant.
(66:4)
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