[Following the government tribunal] The heaven-cradled
Crown-Prince was at that time governor of Ádhirbáyján. He pronounced no
sentence with regard to the Báb, nor did he desire to interfere with Him. The
[religious] doctors, however, considered it advisable at least to inflict a
severe chastisement, and beating was decided on. But none of the corps of
farráshes [attendants] would agree to become the instruments of the infliction
of this punishment. So Mírzá ‘Alí-Aṣghar the Shaykhu’l-Islám, [a lead clergy]
who was one of the noble Siyyids, brought Him [the Báb] to his own house and
applied the rods with his own hand. After this they sent the Báb back to
[Fortress of] Chihríq and subjected Him to a strict confinement.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘A Traveler’s Narrative’)
