Their Legacy

Welcome to Who was she? Podcast. I am your host, Tara Jabbari. 

Who was she? Podcast will focus on the stories of women throughout history that were active in the Baha’i Faith. This season is about Zaynab. She was a 19th-century village girl from Persia in the early history of the Bahai Faith and fought for religious freedom. 

In the previous episode, we learned about the beginning of the siege of Zanjan, Iran in 1850. Zaynab disguised herself as a man to fight in the front lines. Hujjat, the leader of the Babis learned of her real identity but kept her secret. 

When he spoke of her, he said, “No man has shown himself capable of such vitality and courage.”

In the book, God Passes By by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, He wrote, 

“The resourcefulness and incredible audacity of Zaynab, a village maiden, who, fired with an irrepressible yearning to throw in her lot with the defenders of the Fort, disguised herself in male attire, cut off her locks, girt a sword about her waist, and, raising the cry of Yá Ṣáḥibu’z-Zamán!” rushed headlong in pursuit of the assailants, and who, disdainful of food and sleep, continued, during a period of five months, in the thick of the turmoil, to animate the zeal and to rush to the rescue of her men companions...these stand out as the high lights of this bloody contest.”

As noted, for five months, she stood for religious freedom and equality but was killed during a battle. Her devotion and bravery inspired “no less than twenty women of her acquaintance embraced the Cause of the Bab. To them she had ceased to be the peasant girl they had known; she was the very incarnation of the noblest principles of human conduct, a living embodiment of the spirit which only a Faith such as hers could manifest.”

The siege was ongoing. Despite the fewer numbers, the Babis did not give up. Finally, the Commander appealed to Hujjat bringing the Quran as a testimony to his pledge. He said, “You, as well as your followers, I hereby solemnly declare to be under the protection of his Imperial Majesty. This Book of God is my witness that if any of you decide to come out of the fort, you will be safe from any danger.” 

Hujjat knew this was a lie and that they would most likely be defeated but said to his fellow Babis, “In deference to the Qur’án, however, we shall respond to their invitation, and shall despatch to their camp a number of our companions, that thereby their deceitfulness may be exposed.”

Sure enough, the Commander faked this truce and continued attacks. One day, a bullet struck Hujjat in his right arm while he was praying. He was heard saying, “Pardon this people, O God for they know not what they do. Have mercy upon them, for they who have led them astray are alone responsible for the misdeeds the hands of this people have wrought.”

The Babis rushed to aid Hujjat. The enemy took advantage of their absence from their posts and doubled their attacks. That day, the enemy took more than a hundred women and children captives and stole their possessions. By now, winter had approached and it left the Babis with very little protection from the enemies’ attacks and from the harsh weather. 

“You have now found your god and have been rewarded abundantly by him,” the enemy would yell while dancing and spitting in the Babis faces.

19 days after Hujjat was shot, he died from the severe pain from his wound while praying. After his death, the Commander and his men took over all of Zanjan. 

The siege and battles that took place in Zanjan lasted from May 13, 1850 to January 2, 1851 AD, for 234 days. It was difficult to calculate the total amount of casualties but the best estimates were between one thousand and one thousand, eight hundred souls. 

From this and many other battles against the followers of this new faith, it continued to grow. The example of Hujjat, Zaynab, and many other early believers inspired thousands. As mentioned before, the Babis became Baha’is, and today, there are over seven million all over the world. This would not have been achieved if it were not for the early martyrs for their convictions and faith. 

 The following books were used to learn more about the siege of Zanjan: 

The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl's Narrative

God Passes By written by Shoghi Effendi 

The Divine Curriculum: The Báb, Volume 5, Part 2 by Edward Price

Zanjan A Graphic Novel Based on Actual Events by Aaron Emmel and C. Aaron Kreader

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information specifically on Zaynab, but from what we do have, we know she was a brave soul who didn’t let anything stop her from fighting for what she believed. She inspired many people, particularly women, to learn for themselves about this new faith and her story continues to be shared today. 

You can also find more information on our Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest @whowasshe podcast. And please, rate and subscribe wherever you listen to this podcast. Logo was designed by script editor, Angela Musacchio. Music was composed and performed by Sam Redd. I am your host, Tara Jabbari.