Bahá'u'lláh Says Goodbye to Baghdád
J. E. Esslemont, Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, (1923), George Allen & Unwin · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
A retelling for children, based on Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era by J. E. Esslemont, with details from God Passes By.
In 1863 Bahá'u'lláh was ordered to leave the city of Baghdád and go to Constantinople, far away to the north and west. The journey would take between three and four months.
Before He left, Bahá'u'lláh stayed for twelve days in a garden outside the city, while the caravan was made ready. Bahá'ís call it the Garden of Riḍván.
Bahá'u'lláh was not sad about leaving. In those days, the book tells us, He "showed the greatest joy, dignity and power." His followers became "happy and enthusiastic," and great crowds came to pay their respects to Him. The book says:
All the notables of Baghdád, even the Governor himself, came to honor the departing prisoner.
The Governor was the man who ruled Baghdád for the government. He told Bahá'u'lláh that he was sorry about what had happened, and he gave an order that the governors of the places the travellers would pass through should treat them with the greatest kindness.
On the twelfth day, the third of May, Bahá'u'lláh mounted a red roan horse at noon and rode out of the garden. People who saw it said that believers and unbelievers alike wept, and many bowed down at the feet of His horse as He passed.
Bahá'ís remember that day as the Twelfth Day of Riḍván.
This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Bahá'u'lláh Leaves the Garden of Riḍván".
Cite this story
Esslemont, J. E.. (1923). *Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era*. George Allen & Unwin. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/19241/pg19241-images.html
Record yourself reading this story
Recording stays on this device only. Nothing is uploaded.
Related stories
The Declaration in the Garden of Ridván
After much negotiation, at the request of the Persian Government, an order was issued by the Turkish Government summoning Bahá’u’lláh to Constantinople.
Bahá’u’lláh Leaves His House in Baghdad
On 22 April 1863 crowds of believers and admirers wept in the streets of Baghdad as Bahá'u'lláh left His house and was ferried across the river to the garden that His followers named the Garden of Riḍván.
Bahá'u'lláh Leaves the Garden of Riḍván
At noon on May 3, 1863, the twelfth day of the Festival of Riḍván, Bahá'u'lláh rode out of the Garden of Riḍván and set out from Baghdád for Constantinople, as crowds of believers and others lamented His departure.
The Declaration in the Garden of Riḍván
On 22 April 1863, on the eve of His exile to Constantinople, Bahá'u'lláh crossed the Tigris to the Najíbíyyih Garden. During the twelve days He spent there He declared His mission to His companions.