the same period, towards the end of His sojourn at Ba_gh_dad
(1862-1863 A.D.)

Declaration at Ridvan(14) near Baghdad

After much negotiation, at the request of the Persian Government, an order
was issued by the Turkish Government summoning Baha'u'llah to
Constantinople. On receipt of this new His followers were in
consternation. They besieged the house of their beloved Leader to such an
extent that the family encamped in the Garden of Najib Pa_sh_a outside the
town for twelve days, while the caravan was being prepared for the long
journey. It was during these twelve days (April 22 to May 3, 1863, i.e.
nineteen years after the Bab's Declaration) that Baha'u'llah announced to
several of His followers the glad tidings that He was the One Whose coming
had been foretold by the Bab--the Chosen of God, the Promised One of all
the Prophets. The Garden where this memorable Declaration took place has
become known to Baha'is as the "Garden of Ridvan," and the days
Baha'u'llah spent there are commemorated in the "Feast of Ridvan," which
is held annually on the anniversary of those twelve days. During those
days Baha'u'llah, instead of being sad or depressed, showed the greatest
joy, dignity and power. His followers became happy and enthusiastic, and
great crowds came to pay their respects to Him. All the notables of
Ba_gh_dad, even the Governor himself, came to honor the departing
prisoner.

Constantinople and Adrianople

The journey to Constantinople lasted between three and four months, the
party consisting of Baha'u'llah with members of His family and twenty-six
disciples. Arrived in Constantinople they found themselves prisoners in a
small house in which they were very much overcrowded. Later they got
somewhat better quarters, but after four months they were again moved on,
this time to Adrianople. The journey to Adrianople, although it lasted but
a few days, was the most terrible they had yet undertaken. Snow fell
heavily most of the time, and as they were destitute of proper clothing
and food, their sufferings were extreme. For the first winter in
Adrianople, Baha'u'llah and His family, numbering twelve persons, were
accommodated in a small house of three rooms, comfortless and vermin
infested. In the spring they were given a more comfortable abode. They
remained in Adrianople over four and a half years. Here Baha'u'llah
resumed His teaching and gathered about Him a large following. He publicly
announced