The Chronicler of the Master’s Journey

Mahmúd’s Diary may sound familiar to many, and it is the best known of the works of Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání. Mahmúd ended his chronicle of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels in America in 1912 with these words:

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“A hundred thousand thanks and praises for the confirmations of the Abhá Beauty and the bestowals of that essence of faithfulness, the Center of the Covenant, that this lowly servant was able to complete this first volume of the Kitáb-i-Badáyi‘u’l-Áthár in the year 1332 AH [at the end of 1913 AD].”

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He wrote it with his own hand and submitted it to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In 1914 he was commissioned to go to India to obtain permission to publish and distribute it.

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When he died, *The Bahá’í World* reported:

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“It is with great sorrow that we have to announce the sudden death of Mirzá Mahmúd Zargání. . . His death, as all realize, is a great loss to the Cause and has deeply grieved the hearts of all the friends. The following telegram was received from the beloved Guardian: ‘Deeply mourn passing (of) Zargani. His outstanding services will shine evermore. Urge friends hold befitting memorials.’”

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*Sources: Mahmúd’s Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey to America (George Ronald, 1998), closing lines of volume one; The Bahá’í World, vol. 3 (1928–1930), pp. 212–213; as presented by Bahá'í Chronicles ([https://bahaichronicles.org/mirza-mahmud-i-zargani/](https://bahaichronicles.org/mirza-mahmud-i-zargani/)).*

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