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| Aqa Jan Khan-i-Khamsih who carried out the order for the execution of the Báb |
As we recall, the Armenian regiment that was ordered to
perform that heinous task of executing the Báb and His companion Anis by firing
squad on July 9th, 1950 didn’t succeed at their mission. This was because
before carrying out their order their Christian commander Sam Khan had some
doubts about that assignment. To him, the Prisoner looked kind and
compassionate. He wondered for what crime was He to be put to death? Unable to
still the voice of his conscience, Sam Khan had approached the Báb and confessed
that as a Christian he entertained no ill against Him, but that he had to carry
out his assignment. He told the Báb: ‘If your Cause be the Cause of truth,
enable me to free myself from the obligation to shed your blood.' To this
request the Báb had told him: 'Follow your instructions, and if your intention
be sincere, the Almighty is surely able to relieve you from your perplexity.'
Having received this assurance from the Báb, Sam Khan
ordered his regiment of seven-hundred and fifty soldiers to carry out their
duty. They positioned themselves in three rows and fired seven-hundred and
fifty bullets. When the smoke of the gunpowder settled they discovered to their
amazement that the two captives were completely unharmed. Their commander, Sam
Khan, witnessing this miracle refused to order his soldiers to make a second
attempt. Another regiment was therefore brought in. Their commander was Aqa Jan
Khan-i-Khamsih. Whereas the first regiment was composed of Armenian Christians,
the soldiers belonging to the second regiment were Muslims. They were known as
the Nasiri regiment.
