for the revolution of which the Twelfth Imam was the traditional
instrument, there was a growing popular tendency to regard Mirza 'Ali
Muhammad as a 'return' of the Twelfth Imam, who was, by force of
arms, to set up the divine kingdom upon earth. It was this, indeed,
which specially promoted the early Babi propagandism, and which
probably came up for discussion at the Badasht conference.

In short, it had become a pressing duty to enlighten the multitude on
the true objects of the Bab. Even we can see this--we who know that
not much more than three years were remaining to him. The Bab, too,
had probably a presentiment of his end; this was why he was so eager
to avoid a continuance of the great misunderstanding. He was indeed
the Twelfth Imam, who had returned to the world of men for a short
time. But he was not a Mahdi of the Islamic type.

A constant stream of Tablets (letters) flowed from his pen. In this
way he kept himself in touch with those who could not see him in the
flesh. But there were many who could not rest without seeing the
divine Manifestation. Pilgrims seemed never to cease; and it made the
Bab still happier to receive them.

This stream of Tablets and of pilgrims could not however be
exhilarating to the Shah and his Minister. They complained to the
castle-warden, and bade him be a stricter gaoler, but 'Ali Khan, too,
was under the spell of the Gate of Knowledge; or--as one should rather
say now--the Point or Climax of Prophetic Revelation, for so the Word
of Prophecy directed that he should be called. So the order went
forth that 'Ali Muhammad should be transferred to another
castle--that of Chihrik. [Footnote: Strictly, six or eight months
(Feb. or April to Dec. 1847) at Maku, and two-and-a-half years at