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date	event	locations	tags	see also
1848 Apr-Jul	The presence of the Báb in Chihríq attracted much notice. Eventually Yahyá Khán softened his attitude to the Báb. [Bab135; DB303] Excitement among local people eclipsed that of Máh-Kú. [GPB20] Many priests and government officials became followers, among them Mírzá Asadu'lláh of Khuy, surnamed Dayyán. [Bab136; DB303; GPB20] So many Bábís came to Chihríq that they could not all be housed. [Bab135] See B136 for story of the inferior honey. A dervish, a former navváb, arrived from India after having seen the Báb in a vision. [Bab137; DB305; GPB20] The Báb revealed the Lawh-i-Hurúfát (Tablet of the Letters) in honour of Dayyán. [DB304; GPB27]	Chihriq; Iran; India	Bab, Life; Yahya Khan; Mah-Ku; Dayyan (Mirza Asadullah); Honey; Dervishes; Navvab (Asiyih Khanum); Lawh-i-Hurufat (Tablet of the Letters); Huruf (letters)
1875 (In the year)	Bahá'u'lláh sent Sulaymán Khán Ilyás, Jamál Effendi, to India. [BW4:285; GPB195; MC155] See EB120–1, 122–8 and MF134–8. BBRSM90, 193 say he was sent in 1871 and left in 1878. BW18p246 says he arrived in 1872. EB122 says he reached Bombay in 1878 and stayed 11 years on the subcontinent. His work helped establish Bahá'í communities in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras as well as in Burma. [BBRSM91; GPB225] See Momen-Jamal Effendi for a map of his travels in India (1876-1879) and South-east Asia (1884-1886) as well as to Central Asia 1888-1896. Among those he taught was Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí, who later found the Bahá'í community of Burma. [BW10:517] iiiii	Mumbai (Bombay); Kolkata (Calcutta); Chennai (Madras); India; Myanmar (Burma)	Sulayman Khan Ilyas; Jamal Effendi; Siyyid Mustafa Rumi
1875 (In the year)	At the request of Baha'u'lláh,`Abdu'l-Bahá wrote The Mysterious Forces of Civilization, a treatise on the establishment of a just, progressive and divinely-based government. [SDCv; Baha’u’llah on the Circumstances of the Composition of “The Secret of Divine Civilization” a provisional translation of a Tablet by Bahá'u'lláh by Adib Masumian] It was lithographed in Bombay in 1882. It was first published in English under the title The Mysterious Forces of Civilization in London in 1910. [SDCv] It was re-issued in 1918 and later translated as The Secret of Divine Civilization by Marzieh Gail and published by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust in Wilmette in 1957. See Marzieh Gail's Summon Up Remembrance pg46-47 for a description of Persia at the time. The nation was ostensibly ruled by a self-serving monarch who had little regard for the county or its people. The government administered the chessboard where Russia and England played out their competing imperialistic designs to increase their respective spheres of influence. Through bribery and intrigue, they contended to raise up ministers who would do their bidding. They thwarted the progress of the nation by manipulating the clergy to oppose any Western ideas, threatening that such would threaten Islam. If required these measures were supplemented with the bribery of the ulamas, accepted eagerly either for their personal gain or for contributions to their communities. Thus Iranians were kept divided, deprived, and ignorant; all the better to exploit them. [SUR62] Shoghi Effendi called The Secret of Divine Civilization "`Abdu'l-Bahá's outstanding contribution to the future reorganization of the world". [WOB37] See the English translation of the message of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of Iran dated 26 November 2003 in which they make reference to this book. See a comment about the book.	Akka; Mumbai (Bombay); India; Iran	Secret of Divine Civilization (book); Publishing; Publications; First Publications; Corruption; Reform; Iran, General history; Abdul-Baha, Life of; Abdul-Baha, Writings and talks of; Abdul-Baha, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Adib Masumian
1877 (Near the end of the year)	Conversion of Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí in Calcutta, while he was travelling with Jamál Effendi. [RSLG]	Kolkata (Calcutta); India	Siyyid Mustafa Rumi; Jamal Effendi
1889 (In the year)	Bahá'u'lláh instructed Jamal Effendi, a Persian scholar of noble birth and high rank, to proceed to India and acquaint its people with the Bahá'í teachings. He arrived in Bombay in 1872, (sources differ on the date), and proceeded to travel throughout the country. Despite the language difficulty he managed to convey the teachings to many distinguished people. Jamal Effendi's vast knowledge, eloquent tongue and unfailing courtesy attracted many persons to him, and he was the guest of a number of prominent Indians of high standing. At innumerable meetings and discussions Jamal Effendi outlined Bahá'u'lláh's teachings for the upliftment of mankind and many recognized the truth of his words and embraced the Cause. It was not until 1880 that Jamal Effendi's strenuous efforts produced permanent results. In that year the first Bahá'í group was formed at Bombay and from there the Faith spread rapidly to Poona, Calcutta, Karachi and Delhi where Local Spiritual Assemblies were eventually established. [BW18p246]	Mumbai (Bombay); Pune (Poona); Kolkata (Calcutta); New Delhi; India; Karachi; Pakistan	Jamal Effendi
1882 - 1883	Bahá'í books were published for the first time, in Bombay and Cairo by the Násirí Press. The Bombay publishing house was run by Mírzá Ibrahím (a son of Hájí Abu'l-Qásim, the brother of the wife of the Báb) [GPB195; SA250; Momen-Jamal Effendi]	Mumbai (Bombay); India; Cairo; Egypt	Publishing; Publications; First publications; Business
1886 (In the year)	Birth of Narayanrao Rangnath Vakil, the first Hindu to become a Bahá'í in Surat, Gujarat, India.	Surat; Gujarat; India	Narayanrao Rangnath Vakil; Births and deaths; First believers by background; Conversion; Hinduism; Interfaith dialogue
1888 (In the year)	Jamál Effendi, accompanied by Hájí Faraju'lláh-i-Tafrishí, embarked on a long journey to the East visiting Burma, Java (Indonesia), Siam (Thailand), Singapore, Kashmir, Tibet, Yarqand, Khuqand in Chinese Turkistan, and Afghanistan. [EB123–4; PH22]	Myanmar (Burma); Java; Indonesia; Siam (Thailand); Thailand; Singapore; Kashmir; India; Tibet; Yarqand; Khuqand; Chinese Turkistan; China; Afghanistan	Jamal Effendi; Haji Farajullah-i-Tafrishi
1891 (In the year)	In Bombay, on the instructions of Bahá'u'lláh, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was published for the first time. [SA250] It was published in Arabic. [SA250]	Mumbai (Bombay); India	Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book); Publishing; Publications; First publications; Bahaullah, Writings of; Bahaullah, Life of
1897 (In the year)	Hájí Mírzá Muhammad-`Alí, the first Bahá'í to have settled China, died in Bombay on his way back to Shíráz. [PH24] He lived in China from 1962 until 1868. He moved to Hong Kong in 1970 and was joined by his brother Haji Mirza Muhammad Husayn (Haji Mirza Buzurg) where they established a trading company. The brothers stayed in Hong Kong until 1897. [Video Early history of the Bahá'í Faith in China 2min56sec]	China; Mumbai (Bombay); India	Haji Mirza Muhammad-Ali (Afnan); Afnan; In Memoriam; Births and deaths
1902 - 1903 C.	One of the chief promoters of Mírzá Muhammad-'Ali in India was Mírzá Husayn-'Alíy-i-Jahrumí. See LGHC57-58 for his encounter with Lua Getsinger. Reference is made to this man in Memories of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Memoirs of Mírzá Habíbu'lláh Afnán edited and translated by Ahang Rabbani p96. Also see CoB185 for more on the role played by Mírzá Husayn-'Alíy-i-Jahrumí in the plot by the Covenant-breakers to have Mírzá Áqá Ján incite an incident at the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh with a view to having those involved arrested and therefore discredited.	Mumbai (Bombay); India; Akka	Mirza Husayn-Aliy-i-Jahrumi; Mirza Muhammed-Ali; Covenant-breakers
1904 1 Dec	Sydney Sprague arrived in Bombay, India. [BFA2:XVI] He was the first American Bahá'í travelling teacher in Asia. [BFA2:XVI; 258-270; facing p335] See Reflections on the Bahá'í Writings for the story of Kaykhusraw Isfandyár who sacrificed his life by travelling from his home in Bombay to Lahore to assist Sidney Sprague when he was mortally ill with typhoid fever. He was too ill to be taken back to Bombay as planned so Kaykhusraw prayed that he, a humble shop-keeper, might be accepted as a sacrifice for the life of Sydney, an international travel teacher. His request was accepted and he became the first Eastern Bahá’í to have sacrificed his life for his Western brother. When the news of this sacrifice reached `Abdu’l-Bahá, He immortalised Kaykhusraw by conferring upon him the rank of a martyr and He revealed a Tablet to Kaykhusraw’s family. This story is also available in Andalib magazine, year 7, no 25 and can be found in YBIB55-60.	Mumbai (Bombay); India; Asia	Sydney Sprague; Travel teaching; Firsts, Other
1906. 10 Nov	Harlan Ober and Hooper Harris sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey for Naples and 'Akká on their teaching trip to India at the behest of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. (Tablet 12 March, 1906) Dr. William Moore, brother of Lua Getsinger, had been chosen to accompany Hooper Harris but he died unexpectedly. Harlan did not have the means for such a trip but Lua Getsinger loaned him the necessary funds. [BW13p868] During their three days stopover in 'Akká 'Abdu'l-Bahá provided no instructions but promised them that "Whenever difficult questions or problems come to you, turn your hearts to the heart of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and you will receive help." They found that they were astonished with some of their own answers to questions put to them during the trip. [BW13p869] Later 'Abdu'l-Bahá told Harlan, "Serve the people, speak in the meetings, love them in reality not through politeness, embrace them as I have embraced you. Even if you should never speak great good will be accomplished." This was to become Harlan's creed for teaching the Faith. [BW13p869] They traveled across India, teaching the Faith, with Persian Bahá'ís Ibn-i-Abhar and Mírzá Mahmúd. See BFA266–71 for details of the trip. [Bahaipedia] "Hooper Harris and Harlan Ober traveled, during no less than seven months, in India and Burma, visiting Bombay, Poona, Lahore, Calcutta, Rangoon and Mandalay." [GPB261] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent the “Tablet of Purity” to America with Hooper Harris on his return from Haifa and India. [Highlights of the First 40 Years of the Bahá’í Faith in New York, City of the Covenant, 1892-1932 by Hussein Ahdieh p10]	Hoboken; New Jersey; India; Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma); Mumbai (Bombay); Pune (Poona); Kolkata (Calcutta); Lahore; Yangon (Rangoon); Mandalay	Harlan Ober; Hooper Harris; Travel teaching
1909 Nov	Charles Mason Remey and Howard Struven left the United States on the first Bahá'í teaching trip to circle the globe. [BFA2:348, GPB261] They went to Hawaii, Japan, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and to Burma, India and `Akká. [BFA2:348–50; Video Early history of the Bahá'í Faith in China 2min56sec]	Hawaii; Japan; Shanghai; China; Singapore; Myanmar (Burma); India; Akka	Charles Mason Remey; Howard Struven; Travel teaching
1911 (In the year)	A systematic teaching campaign was launched in India with the assistance of two American women and a 19-member teaching council was elected. [BBRSM:194 220]	India	Teaching campaigns
1912 31 Oct	`Abdu'l-Bahá arrived in Chicago and gave a talk at the Plaza Hotel. The subject of this talk was The Covenant. [239D:176; PUP381]. It is likely that 'Abdu'l-Bahá encountered Rabindranath Tagore who was to become a well-known Bengali poet and musician who would reshape Bengali literature and music and be the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. [Rabindranath Tagore: Some Encounters with Bahá'ís by Peter Terry; Wikipedia]	Chicago; United States; India	Abdul-Baha, Travels of; Abdul-Baha, Second Western tour; Abdul-Baha, Talks at public places; Rabindranath Tagore; Bengal Renaissance
1913. 19 Aug	'Abdu'l-Bahá took the decision to send Lua Getsinger to India. His words to her were published SoW Vol 4 No 12 p208. [LGHC189]	Ramleh (Alexandria); Alexandria; Egypt; India	Lua Getsinger; Edward Getsinger; Travel teaching
1914 (In the year)	The publication of Kitáb-i Badáyi'u'l-Áthár written by Mírza Mahmúd-i Zarqání, by Elegant Photo-Litho Press in Bombay. The English translation, Mahmúd's Diary, was published in 1998 by George Ronald Publisher. [APD151] "Mírzá Mahmúd was a careful and faithful chronicler and engaged in assembling and publishing his work with the permission of the beloved Master . . ." (The Universal House of Justice - a letter dated April 30, 1984 addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States).	Mumbai (Bombay); India	Mahmuds Diary; Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani; Abdul-Baha, Travels of; Abdul-Baha, Second Western tour; Publishing; Publications
1914 Jan - Feb	'Abdu'l-Bahá sent Lua and Dr. Getsinger on a teaching tour in India. The duration of the tour and the places visited have yet to be confirmed. She lectured at Theosophical Society Hall in Surat on "Purity and Divinity" (22 Jan); in Bombay, she spoke in Pratana Mandir Hall for an hour on "The Bahá’í Movement—Its Rise and Progress." (24Jan) She addressed the students of the Theistic Society on "Individual Spiritual Progress" (4 Feb); and in the Ideal Seminary she spoke on "Service as an Act of Worship." (8 Feb) In addition to the public lectures, to large and enthusiastic audiences, Dr. and Mrs. Getsinger were kept busy meeting people of various creeds. Lua's most important interview, and the one which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke of as a "certain definite result", was with the Maharajah of Jalowar (Jhalawar) whom He had met in London. He wished to acquaint this receptive enlightened person with the Bahá’í teachings, and chose Lua to seek him out. The Maharajah received her most graciously, and afterwards corresponded with her, remaining a staunch friend of the Faith. [SoW vol. V, No. 2, p. 21-22; "Lua Getsinger -Herald of the Covenant" by Amine DeMille; BFA2:353] In her autobiography, Sunburst pg 236 Loral Schopflocher wrote: The Maharaiah of Ghalawar was the first ruler to accept the Baha'i teachings and attempted to put them into practice in his domain. For more information on him see The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915) by C. Hayavadana Rao.	Surat; Gujarat; Jhalawar; Rajasthan; Mumbai (Bombay); India	Maharajah of Jalowar; Lua Getsinger; Edward Getsinger; Travel teaching
1917 (in the year)	The passing of Hand of the Cause of God Hájí Mírzá Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Abharí (Ibn-i-Abhar). He was born in 1853/4 in Abhar. For four years he suffered in Síyáh-Chál wearing the very same chains as Bahá’u’lláh had worn in 1852. On being informed that the friends in Tihrán had arranged to observe the commandment of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Bahá'u'lláh revealed, in one of His Tablets to Ibn-i-Asdaq (later named as a Hand of the Cause), the following well known Words: Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified. -Bahá’u’lláh [Some Bahai Sacred Spaces for Community, Slide presentation by the UK Community, Slide #74] His services during the time of the Master included teaching journeys through Persia, the Caucasus and India. He also made some eleven journeys to the Holy Land with the permission of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A special service rendered by Ibn-i-Abhar was the promotion of the education of women. He and his wife played an important part in the advancement of women in Persian society. In 1886 Bahá’u’lláh appointed him a Hand of the Cause. He died in 1917. [LoF13-16, BBD114, EB268; Bahaipedia] Shoghi Effendi designated him as an Apostle of Bahá'u'lláh. [LoF12]	Abhar; Tihran; Iran; Caucasus; India	Hands appointed by Bahaullah; Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Births and deaths; In Memoriam; Ibn-i-Abhar (Mulla Muhammad Taqi); Siyah Chal (Black Pit); Chains; Women; Blessed is the spot; Apostles of Bahaullah
1919. 21 Nov	In the period after the war 'Abdu'l-Bahá was flooded with requests from India and points East for Him to visit. Indian soldiers serving with the British forced stationed in the area were frequent visitors. [PG118-120]	India
1920 27-29 Dec	The first All-India Bahá'í Convention was held in Bombay with 175 in attendance. [AB446; BBRSM194; 115]	Mumbai (Bombay); India	Conferences, Bahai; First conferences
1921 (In the year)	A journal called Bahá'í News started publishing in English and Persian. [BWNS1289]	India	Bahai News; - Periodicals; First publications; Publications; BWNS
1922 12 Feb	Laura and Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney arrived in Haifa from their travel teaching trip in Burma and Bombay. [EJR208] Between the years of 1920 to 1922 they stayed in many cities in China including Chengdu.	Haifa; Myanmar (Burma); Mumbai (Bombay); India	Travel teaching; Laura Clifford Barney; Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney
1923. 3 Feb	Shoghi Effendi wrote to the editors and manager of the Star of the West Albert Vail Miss Edna True Dr. Zia M. Baghdádí Mírzá Aḥmad Sohrab. He reported that he had requested every Spiritual Assembly throughout Persia, Turkestan, Caucasus, India, Egypt, ‘Iráq, Turkey, Syria and Palestine to contribute periodically carefully written articles to the magazine, and submit regularly for publication a special report on their spiritual activities and the progress of the Cause in their own province. [Uncompiled Published Letters p30 by Shoghi Effendi] He sent a similar note of encouragement to the editor of the Indian Bahá'í News and to the editors of The Dawn in Burma. [PP347-348; Uncompiled Published Letters p36 by Shoghi Effendi]	BWC; New York; India; Burma	Star of the West; Indian Bahai News; Dawn, The (newsletter); Periodicals; Newsletters; First publications; Publications
1923 Ridván	The formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma.. It was incorporated in 1932. [GPB333; BW6p303]	New Delhi; India; Burma	National Spiritual Assembly, formation
1930 Dec	The first Asian Women’s Conference was held in India. [BW17:180]	India	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Women; First conferences; Asia
1933 Jan	The National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma incorporated in Lahore, in the state of Punjab under the provisions of the Societies Registration Act of 1960. [GPB336]	India; Lahore; Punjab; Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma)	Recognition (legal)
1936 (In the year)	The first woman was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Shirin Fozdar.	India	Shirin Fozdar; Women; NSA; Firsts, Other
1936 31 Dec	Khusraw Bimán (Thábit) passed away in Bombay at the age of 103 or 104. [Imm:56] He is the first Zoroastrian to accept the Faith in India. [Imm:44–6] For the story of his life see Imm:39–60.	Mumbai (Bombay); India	Khusraw Biman; In Memoriam; First believers by background; Zoroastrianism; Conversion
1937. 20 Dec	Mírzá Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Jahrumí represented the arch-breaker of the Covenant, Mírzá Muhammad-'Ali, in Persia. Mírzá Ḥusayn-i-Shírázíy-i-Khurṭúmí represented the arch-breaker of the Covenant in India. Ḥájí Muḥammad-Ḥusayn-i-Káshání represented him in Egypt. [GPB318]	Iran; Egypt; India	Covenant-breakers; Mirza Husayn-Aliy-i-Jahrumi; Mirza Muhammad-Ali; Mirza Husayn-i-Shiraziy-i-Khurṭumi; Haji Muḥammad-Husayn-i-Kashani
1938 Ridván	The National Spiritual Assembly of India, (Pakistan) and Burma launched a Six Year Plan, the Indian Six Year Plan (1938-1944). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2] Although the plan was not initiated by Shoghi Effendi, it received his commendation and encouragement. Lack of funds prevented the plan from being implemented until 1940. [DND70-71, 96-97, 100-101; SBBH2:160]	India; Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma)	Teaching Plans; Teaching Plans, National; India, Pakistan and Burma Six Year Plan
1938 Sep	The first Bahá’í summer school to be held in India took place in Simla. [BBRSM194; BW8:199]	Shimla; Himachal Pradesh; India	Summer schools; First summer and winter schools
1943. 2 May	The passing of Narayanrao Rangnath (Shethji) Vakil (b. Navsari, 1866) in Poona. He was the first person from the Hindu community to identify himself with the Bahá'í activities in India and the first chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India and Burma. He learned of the Faith through Mírzá Mahram Isfáhání in about 1908. [BW9p637-641] For the story of his life see PH17–25.	Mumbai (Bombay); Pune (Poona); India	In Memoriam; Narayanrao Rangnath Vakil; Mahram Isfahani
1943. 16 Aug	The passing of Sydney Sprague (b. Oshkosh WI in 1875) in Los Angeles. He was buried in Inglewood Cemetery. His grave is beside that of Tom Collins, husband of Amelia Collins, and lies just across the road from the grave of Thornton Chase, "First Bahá'í of America." [BW9p633-635] During a pilgrimage in late 1904 'Abdu'l-Bahá suggested he visit the Bahá'ís of the East. He toured India and Burma from December 1904 until the summer of 1905 becoming the first Western Bahá'í of go to the far Orient fulfilling Bahá'u'lláh's prophecy the "The East and West shall embrace as lovers". [YBIB6] iiiii See YBIB55-60 For the story of Kai Khosroe, the Zoroastrian Bahá'í from Bombay who gave his life while nursing Sprague in Lahore when he was deathly ill with typhoid fever. In 1908 he became a resident of Tehran, first teaching in the Bahá'í school and, when he returned the following year, he became principal. He married a niece of 'Abdul'-Bahá and became a brother-in-law of Ameen Fareed. When Fareed was expelled from the Faith in 1914 Sprague and his wife as well as his father-in-law followed. Fareed's father was Mírzá Asadu'lláh-i-Isfahání, the emissary who had taken the remains of the Báb from Iran to the Holy Land [Efforts to preserve the remains of the Bab]. Sprague applied to be reinstated in 1931 (or 1937) and was finally accepted in 1941, two years before his passing. [BW9p633-635] He married Farahangiz Khanum on the 20th of July, 1910, a day selected by 'Abdu'l-Bahá so that Stanwood Cobb could attend. The Bahá'í wedding was performed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the legal ceremony was conducted by a mullá four days later. [BN Vol 1 No 12 October 1910 p 7] He made a teaching trip to South America and died soon after his return to the United States. [AB409] He was the author of The Story of the Bahai Movement published in London in 1907 and A Year with the Bahá'ís of India and Burma in May of 1908. [YBIBxi] iiiii	Los Angeles; United States; India; Myanmar (Burma); Lahore; Pakistan	Sydney Sprague; Covenant-breakers; Ameen Fareed (Amin Farid); Mirza Asadullah-i-Isfahani; Kai Khosroe; Travel teaching; In Memoriam
1945 1 Aug	Initially founded as a hostel for Bahá'í children with sixteen children, what was the New Era High School and Senior Secondary had grown to become a leading international co-educational institution with many hundreds of students. Founded as a separate institution in 1987, the New Era Development Institute had its beginnings as a service project for students in the 1970s and 1980s when the school set up programmes to assist the poor and underdeveloped villages in the region. [New Era High School and Senior Secondary website, Wikipedia, BBD171; BBRSM153] For the history of the school see BW16:320–6.	Panchgani; Maharashtra; India	New Era High School; Bahai schools; New Era Development Institute; Social and economic development
1946 Ridván	India and Burma launched a Four and One-Half Year Plan, Indian 4½ Year Plan. (1946-1951) [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BW11p32; DND141-143; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2] The goals were: - To increase the number of Local Assemblies from 21 to 63 - To give special attention to areas marked by sharp cultural and political divisions As the plan unfolded, the National Assembly added the following additional goals: - To publish the Esslemont book - ‘Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era’ in eighteen new languages - To acquire a National Hazíratu’l-Quds in New Delhi - To carry the Bahá’í message to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand	India; Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma)	Teaching Plans; Teaching Plans, National; India, Pakistan and Burma Four and a Half Year Teaching Plan
1946 Oct 11	The Bahá'ís of Iran launched a Forty-five Month Plan, the Persian 45 Month Plan ( 11 October 1946 to 9 July 1950, The Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb). Every province had specific assignments. [BBRSM158; CB316] The objectives of the plan included; 1. Consolidation of all local Bahá'í communities. 2. Reestablishment of 62 dissolved Assemblies. (93 LSAs formed) 3. Formation of 22 groups. (37 established) 4. Creation of 13 new centres. (24 localities established) 5. Development of Assemblies from groups in three adjoining countries, namely in Kabul, Afghanistan, Mecca, Arabia and Bahrein Island, Persian Gulf. 6. The formation of groups in four localities on the Arabian Peninsula. 7. The sending pioneers to India and 'Iráq to assist in the formation of new groups. The Bahá'ís of Tehran were called upon to send out 50 families into the pioneer field. (160 arose) Every individual Bahá'í was included in the operation of the Plan-as a volunteer, by deputizing a pioneer, by contributing funds, by circuit teaching or by providing hospitality to students whose parents had become pioneers. [BW4p34-35; BW11p34-36] Concurrent with the Forty-Five Month Plan the Bahá'ís of Iran made a concerted effort to remove Bahá'í women from the traditional shackles of a lack of education and an inability to participate in public affairs. Women's conferences were held, educational opportunities were created, equality of opportunity, right and privilege was declared to be an essential. [BW11p36].	Iran; India; Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma)	Teaching Plans; Teaching Plans, National; Social and economic development; Women
1947 Ridván	The National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma added the newly formed nation of Pakistan to their unit. As the state of Pakistan was created on the 14th of August 1947 it can be assumed that the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pakistan and Burma was created after this date. In a letter from the Guardian 24 October 1947 he mentions all three nations as one unit. [MSEIp289] ]	India; Myanmar (Burma)	National Spiritual Assembly, formation; India and Burma
1948. Ridván	When the state of Pakistan was formed it was incorporated into the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma. The name of the new assembly was known as the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan and Burma. This assembly until Pakistan formed an independent Assembly in 1957.	India; Pakistan; Burma	National Spiritual Assembly, formation
1949 (In the year)	A Bahá’í in Kamshatti, near Calcutta, was martyred by a religious fanatic. [BW11:34]	Kolkata (Calcutta); India	Persecution, India; Persecution, Deaths; Persecution
1951 Ridván	The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, Pakistan and Burma launched the Indian Nineteen Month Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158; DND148–50] Some goals were: - To offer Rs 2,500,000 to the Shrine of the Báb Fund - To enrich Bahá’í literature in local languages - To send pioneers to Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam, Zanzibar and Madagascar - To increase the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - To enhance the status of the Bahá’í New Era School in Panchgani	India; Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma)	Teaching Plans; Teaching Plans, National
1951 Ridván	Several National Spiritual Assemblies-Britain, Egypt, India, Iran and the United States, joined forces in their first collaborative teaching effort called the Africa Campaign (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158, MBW135-140] See also UD261 for the significance of the Africa Campaign. See Bahá'í Communities by Country: Research Notes by Graham Hassall for further details of the Plan.	Africa; United Kingdom; United States; Egypt; India; Iran	Teaching Plans; Africa Campaign
1952 8 Oct	Holy Year, "The Great Jubilee", October 1952 to October 1953, was inaugurated. [MBW16-18; BW12:116; DG84; PP409–10; SBR170–1] Centenary celebrations of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission were initiated. [MBW16–18] "Shoghi Effendi began the Holy Year to commemorate the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh's experience in the Siyáh Chál in October 1952 and closed the Holy Year in October 1953 (which corresponds to the centenary of the “Year Nine”, the Islamic year 1269)". [Two Episodes from the Life of Bahá’u’lláh in Iran p21 by Moojan Momen] Four international conferences were scheduled in Kampala, Wilmette (dedication of the Temple), Stockholm and New Delhi. [SETPE2p31-43] For a brief description of the Kampala Conference see CG20-21.	Kampala; Uganda; Wilmette; United States; Stockholm; Sweden; New Delhi; India	Great Jubilee; Holy Years; Centenaries; Bahaullah, Birth of Revelation of; Siyah Chal (Black Pit)
1953 Jul	Rawshan Áftábí and Fírúzih Yigánigi arrived in Goa and were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:452]	Goa; India	Knights of Bahaullah; Rawshan Aftabi; Firuzih Yiganigi
1953 Jul	Sa‘íd Nahví arrived in Pondicherry and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:455]	Pondicherry; India	Knights of Bahaullah
1953 Aug	Shawkat Nahví arrived in Pondicherry and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:455]	Pondicherry; India	Knights of Bahaullah
1953 Aug	Shiyam Behari arrived in Pondicherry and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:455]	Pondicherry; India	Knights of Bahaullah
1953 Aug	Udai Narain Singh arrived in Sikkim and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:455; PH63]	Sikkim; India	Udai Narain Singh; Knights of Bahaullah
1953 7 – 15 Oct	The Asian Intercontinental Teaching Conference was held in New Delhi. [BW12:178; CBN No 50 Mar 1953 p6-7] For Shoghi Effendi’s message to the conference see BW12:178–81. At the request of our beloved Guardian a memorial service was held for our dearly loved Hand of the Cause, Mr. Sutherland Maxwell. Loving tributes were paid to his memory by Mr. Remey and Mr. Giachery. [CBN No 50 Mar 1953 p6] For a report of the conference see BW12:181–8. Photos. This was the first international Bahá’í gathering ever to be held in the East. [BW12:181; SBR171] It was attended by 489 Bahá’ís representing 31 countries. [BW 12:181] The design for the International Bahá’í Archives was revealed to the Bahá’ís of the world for the first time at this conference. [DH168] Following the New Delhi conference the Hands of the Cause and other visiting Bahá'ís travelled the length and the breadth of the country speaking in universities, teachers' training colleges, agricultural schools, theatres, hotels, Y.M.C.A.'s, at service clubs, and theosophical societies. Prominent citizens representative of the Hindu, Moslem and Christian faiths were chairmen at many of these meetings. There were numerous press conferences and wide-spread newspaper publicity. The Hands of the Cause were able to present Bahá'í books to world famous Indian scholars, to the family of the Maharaja of Indore and to representatives of the press. Perhaps never since Abdu'l·Bahá visited America has the Faith been presented in such a variety of places in so short a time. Dorothy Baker was one of the Hands who participated in this post-conference proclamation. [CBN No54 Jul 1954 p5]	New Delhi; India; Asia	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Teaching; Conferences, Intercontinental; Ten Year Crusade; International Bahai Archives; Teaching; First conferences
1953 Nov	Dr Khodadad M. Fozdar, an Indian of Parsi background, arrived in the Andaman Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:449] For the story of his life see BW13:892–3.	Andaman and Nicobar Islands; India	Khodadad M. Fozdar; Knights of Bahaullah
1953 Dec	Kay Khusraw Dahamobedi, Bahíyyih Rawhání and Gulbár Áftábí arrived on Diu Island and are named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:451]	Diu Island; India	Knights of Bahaullah; Islands
1954 15 Jan	‘Abdu’l-Rahmán Zarqání, from India, arrived in the Seychelles and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [BW13:455]	Seychelles; Africa; India	Knights of Bahaullah
1954 24 Jun	Shápúr Rawhání and Ardishír Furúdí, Iranian residents of India, arrived in Bhutan by foot and were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. They spent about two months in Bhutan. However, circumstances did not permit them to remain longer and they had to return to India. [BW13:449] They were accompanied to the Bhutan border by the prime minister of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji. In about 1961 Dr. Anayat Soroosh Yaganagi, a Bahá'í of Zoroastrian background from Bangalore pioneered to Bhutan. See the brief history of his family and the development of the Faith in the country in "Bahá'í Recollections" written by one of his daughters, Geeti Yaganegi.	Bhutan; India	Shapur Rawhani; Ardishir Furudi; Knights of Bahaullah
1955 (Spring)	Travelling by foot, Udai Narain Singh arrived in Tibet from Gangtok, Sikkim, and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, his second such distinction. He was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh in spring 1956. [BW13:456]	Tibet; Sikkim; India	Udai Narain Singh; Knights of Bahaullah
1956 (In the year)	Kedarnath Pradhan, from neighbouring Sikkim, arrived in Nepal, the first pioneer to the country. [Bahá'í Faith In Nepal by Prof. Anil Sarwal]	Nepal; Sikkim; India	First travel teachers and pioneers
1957 26 Dec	The passing of Mirzā Asad-Allāh, known as Fāżel Māzandarāni (b. Bábol, Persia 1881). He became a Bahá'í in Tehran in 1909. He travelled to Egypt in 1919-1911 where he met with 'Abdu'l-Bahá and was send to India and Burma to promote the Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent him to North America for the period 1920-1921. He arrived in North America with Manúchihr Khán in time to speak at the National Convention. His purpose was to assist and stimulate the Bahá'í communities. He departed for the Holy Land on the 9th of July, 1921. [AB443; SBR88] Mírzá Asadu'lláh Fádil-i-Mázandarání visited North America again in 1923-1925 at the request of Shoghi Effendi. [Fádl Mázandarání, Mírzá Asadu'lláh by Moojan Momen] See Jináb-i-Fádil Mazandarání in the United States by Fadl Mazandarani (published as Jinab-i-Fadil Mazandarani) compiled by Omeed Rameshni for transcripts of his talks. In about 1924 Shoghi Effendi wrote to the Central Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Persia, asking them to gather materials towards the compilation of a general history of the Bahá'í faith. Initially this work was handed to a committee and Fāżel served as the liaison between this committee and the Assembly, of which he was himself a member at the time. However, after the committee failed to make significant progress, Fāżel took on the responsibility to compile this work himself. His work, Ẓohur-al-Ḥaqq (variously also called Tāriḵ-e Ẓohur-al-Ḥaqq and Ketāb-e Ẓohur-al-Ḥaqq) is said to be the most comprehensive history of the first century of the Bahá'í faith yet written. It records the full biographies of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, and ʿAbdu'l-Baháʾ, the Faith’s leading disciples and learned members, poets, martyrs, and other prominent personalities. It covers the history of the persecutions of the Bahá'ís; discusses the internal crises of the faith and, more significantly, contains excerpts from the holy writings and includes documentation and a considerable number of pictures. It was compiled in nine volumes: volumes 1-3 completed in May of 1932, the fourth in February, 1936, and the final volume in 1943. For various reasons it has not been translated into English. [Ẓohur-al-Ḥaqq] Other works of Fāżel include his dictionary of commonly used proper terms and titles in Bahá'í literature, Asrār al-āṯār, which was published in five volumes (1967-72) of more than 1,600 pages. Fāżel’s other major work, Amr wa ḵalq, contains hundreds of selections from the Bahá'í holy writings grouped under topics related to philosophical, theological, religious, and administrative matters. The work was published in Iran (1954-74) in four volumes. The Collected Works of Asadu'llah Fadil Mazandarani. Wikipedia page. Note: There is some question about whether Shoghi Effendi considered him a Hand of the Cause. See letter addressed to Dr Peter Smith sent on behalf of the Universal House of Justice 11 August 1998 found on Baha'i Library Online. The message concludes by saying that the Universal House of Justice, in a memorandum dated 1 April 1979, has instructed that additional names should not be included in the list of the Hands of the Cause. The list of Hands of the Cause can be found at BW14p445-466.	Babol; Iran; Tihran; India; Myanmar (Burma); United States	Mirza Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; Amr va Khalq; In Memoriam; Births and deaths; Bahai studies; Bahai history; Zuhur al-Haqq (Zuhurul-Haqq); Translation
1959 Ridván	Separate National Spiritual Assemblies were formed for India and Burma. Up until 1957 this group had included Pakistan. [BW13p300] For the letter of the Custodians to the national convention of Burma see MC155–7. See a picture of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Burma.	Myanmar (Burma); India	National Spiritual Assembly of India; National Spiritual Assembly of Myanmar (Burma); Custodians; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
1959. Ridván	Upon the establishment of an independent Spiritual Assembly for Burma, the National Assembly of India and Burma was succeeded by the present-day National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India. [BW13p300]	New Delhi; India	National Spiritual Assembly, formation
1961 Jan - Feb	Hand of the Cause of God Dr Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir traveled to India and demonstrated the principle of mass teaching. [DM172–84; SBBH2:165–7] Mass teaching began in the rural area of Madhya Pradesh among the Hindu population. In 1961 there were 850 Bahá’ís; in 1963 87,000; by 1973 nearly 400,000; and by 1987 about two million. In 1983 45 per cent of all local spiritual assemblies were in India. [BBRSM195; BW13:299]	Madhya Pradesh; India	Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Rahmatullah Muhajir; Mass conversion; Mass teaching; Teaching; LSA; Statistics; Growth
1962 (In the year)	Thirty thousand new Bahá’ís enrolled in India in six months. [VV9]	India	Mass conversion
1962 autumn	A property was acquired outside of Gwalior, India, for a teaching institute. [DM192] The institute was later converted into a boarding hostel solely for Indian children and still later into the ‘Rabbani School’, now an accredited agricultural school. [DM192–3; VV82]	Gwalior; India	Teaching institutes; Rabbani School; Bahai schools; Social and economic development
1964 3 Feb	Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion Violette Nakhjavání left Haifa at the start of their 55,000 mile, 9-month journey through India, Ceylon, Nepal and Sikkim. [AV114; VV11]	Haifa; India; Sri Lanka; Nepal; Sikkim	Amatul-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; Violette Nakhjavani
1967 Ridván	The National Spiritual Assembly of Sikkim was formed with its seat in Gangtok. [BW14p99] This national assembly was absorbed into India some time prior to Ridván 1992. [BW21p27]	Gangtok; Sikkim; India	National Spiritual Assembly, formation
1967 5 – 10 Oct	Six Intercontinental Conferences were held simultaneously in Panama City, Wilmette, Sydney, Kampala, Frankfurt and New Delhi to celebrate the centenary of the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the kings and rulers of the world in September/October of 1867. [BW 14:221] For the message of the Universal House of Justice to the conferences see BW14:221–2. For descriptions of each conference see BW14:223–58. See CG68-69 for a brief description of the Intercontinental Conference in Kampala. The six Hands of the Cause representing the Universal House of Justice at the conferences travelled to Adrianople to visit the House of Bahá’u’lláh before dispersing to the conferences. [BW14:236, 458; VV2]	Panama; Wilmette; Sydney; Australia; Kampala; Uganda; Frankfurt; Germany; New Delhi; India	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Intercontinental; Tablets to Kings and rulers; Centenaries
1971. (In the year)	The publication of Divine Symphony by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust of New Delhi. The book was reprinted in 1976 and 1977. [Collins7.2771; p156]	New Delhi; India	Divine Symphony
1971 27 – 30 Aug	The first Bahá’í Youth Conference for Western Asia took place in New Delhi. [BW15:335] Two thousand people enrolled during the conference and the week following. [BW15:335]	New Delhi; India; Asia	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Youth; Youth; First conferences; Mass conversion
1975 Oct	The New Era Rural Development Project, the first project of its kind in the world, began in the villages around Panchgani, India. [BW17:227–8]	Panchgani; Maharashtra; India	New Era Development Institute; Social and economic development; Firsts, Other
1977 May	The Himalayan Conference was held in Gangtok, Sikkim. [BW17:180–2]	Gangtok; Sikkim; India	Conferences, Bahai
1977 13 – 16 Oct	The Asian Bahá’í Women’s Conference was held in New Delhi, attended by more than a thousand women from across Asia. 1,200 women from 36 countries were in attendance. [BW17:180] For picture see BW17:212.	New Delhi; India; Asia	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Women; Women
1977 17 Oct	At the end of the Asian Bahá’í Women’s Conference Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum laid the foundation stone of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent. [BW17:85, 180, 368–70; VV35]	New Delhi; India; Asia	Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple; Amatul-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum; Foundation stones and groundbreaking; Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Women
1980 2 May	The Bahá’ís of India commemorated the centenary of the founding of the Bahá’í Faith in their country with a reception attended by about 400 guests, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs. [BW18:246–7] See here for the story of Jamal Effendi.	India	Centenaries; Prominent visitors
1982 27 Jun	The Bahá’í Youth Academy was established in Panchgani, India. [BW18:230–2]	Panchgani; Maharashtra; India	Bahai Youth Academy; Bahai Academy; Youth; Bahai study centers
1983 (In the year)	The Association for Bahá’í Studies, India, was established. [BW19:360]	India	Bahai Studies, Associations for
1983. 24 Feb	The inauguration of the Bahá'í Vocational Institute for Rural Women at Indore, India. It offered rural women residential courses on literacy, health care and income generating skills. The success of this school was recognized when it won one of the Global 500 Environmental Action awards that was presented at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 [The Baha'is magazine].	Indore; India	Bahai Vocational Institute for Rural Women; Women; Social and economic development; Bahai schools; Earth Summit
1985 Aug	An International Youth Conference to support the United Nations International Youth Year was held in New Delhi, India, attended by more than 550 youth from 24 countries. [BW19:300]	New Delhi; India; Asia	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Youth; Conferences, International; Youth; International Youth Year
1986 23 May	Fourteen State Bahá’í Councils were elected in India by members of local spiritual assemblies. [BW19:162; VV99–100] For a description of the Councils and their responsibilities see BW19:162–4. The State Bahá'í Council was the forerunner for the Regional Bahá'í Council which was announced on the 30th of May, 1997.	India	State Bahai Councils; Regional Bahai Councils
1986. 23 - 27 Dec	International Teaching Conference was held in New Delhi in conjunction with the opening of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. It was attended by 8,000 Bahá'ís from 114 countries. [BW20p731-753]	New Delhi; India	Conferences, Bahai; Conferences, Teaching; Conferences, International; Teaching; Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple
1986 24 Dec	The House of Worship in New Delhi, the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent, was dedicated in the presence of Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and more than 8,000 Bahá’ís from 114 countries. [AWH47; BINS161; BW19:102 BW20p732-733, VV92] On October 1st, 1954 the Guardian announced that a plot lying in the outskirts of New Delhi has been secured at the price of a hundred thousand rupees as the site of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Indian subcontinent. [CBN No58 Nov 1954 p1] See VV93–4 for pictures. Marble for the House of Worship was cut and chiseled by Margraf, a firm from Chiampo, Italy formerly known as Industria Marmi Vincentini. [BWNS1223] The Universal House of Justice reported that the Bahá’í Temple received more than 120,000 visitors within the first thirty days of its dedication. [Ridván 1987] Specifics Location: New Delhi, India (Bahapur (Abode of Light)) Foundation Stone: 17 October 1977 (Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum) Construction Period: April 1980 - December 1986 Site Dedication:24 December 1986 (Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum placed a silver casket containing Dust from the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb into the crown of the Prayer Hall arch facing ‘Akká) Architect/Project Manager: Fariburz Sahbá Seating: 1200 Dimensions:Inner buds are 34.3m high, the outer leaves are 15.4m wide and 22.5m high. Cost: $10m Dependencies: References: BW16p486-487, BW17p368-370, BW18p103-104, 571-584, BW19p559-568, BW20p731-753	New Delhi; India; Chiampo; Italy	Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Mashriqul-Adhkar, Mother Temples; Mashriqul-Adhkar, Quick facts; Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple; Amatul-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum; Dedications; Marble; Fariburz Sahba; Architects; Boxes containing dust, earth or plaster; Gifts; Bahaullah, Shrine of; Bab, Shrine of; BWNS; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Margraf
1987 Ridván	A reorganization of the areas of jurisdiction of local spiritual assemblies in India resulted in the loss of 5,000 assemblies, substantially reducing the overall number of local assemblies in the world.	India	Local Spiritual Assembly; Statistics
1988 Jun	Over 100,000 people, including large numbers of women, youth and families, became Bahá’ís in Uttar Pradesh, India. [BINS179:4]	Uttar Pradesh; India	Mass conversion
1988 Sep	A teaching project in Maddhya Pradesh, India, enrolled 20,000 new Bahá’ís in Morena District. [BINS185:4]	Madhya Pradesh; India	Mass conversion
1988 Oct	In the State of Orissa, India, 2,600 people became Bahá’ís and 16 new local spiritual assemblies were formed in 15 days.	Orissa; India	Mass conversion; LSA
1988 Nov - Dec	The first members of the Jhana tribe to become Bahá’ís enrolled in India. [BINS189:5]	India	First believers by background
1988 Nov - Dec	One thousand one hundred people became Bahá’ís in the State of Gujarat, India. [BINS190:5]	Gujarat; India	Mass conversion
1988 Nov - Dec	Six hundred people became Bahá’ís in West Bengal and 5,150 in Orissa, India. [BINS189:4–5]	West Bengal; Orissa; India	Mass conversion
1989 Apr	Some four million persons had visited the House of Worship in New Delhi to this date. [AWH61]	New Delhi; India	Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple; Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Statistics
1989 Oct - Nov	In India, 4,300 people became Bahá’ís in the State of Orissa. [BINS213:3]	Orissa; India	Mass conversion
1990 9 Apr	The establishment of the Chair for Bahá'í Studies at the University of Indore (later renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya). Dr. Vishnudatta Nagar was appointed to the position. [BINS222:8; VV108; BW'86-‘92pg454] The purpose of the Chair for Bahá’í studies embodied in the agreement was as follows: a. to promote Research and scholarship in Bahá’í Studies. b) to design and conduct courses , seminars, and studies in the field of Bahá’í studies and related subjects within an interdisciplinary context and publish results and reports of such activities. c) to promote inter-university linkage through seminars, exchange lectures etc with a view to promote interfaith harmony, national/ international integration and world peace. [Bahá'í Chair for Studies and Development] See Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 12 February 1990.	Indore; India	Chair in Bahai Studies; Universities
1991 15 – 21 Jul	The first summer school of Sikkim was held in Saramsa. [BINS257:6]	Saramsa; Sikkim; India	Summer schools; First summer and winter schools
1992 (In the year)	The publication of the statement entitled "Bahá'u'lláh”, prepared by the Office of Public Information at the Bahá'í World Centre. The statement was formally released at a press conference in Bombay, India by Hassan Sabri. [VV126] For the text see BW92–93:47–94.	Mumbai (Bombay); India	Bahaullah (statement); Office of Public Information; Hassan Sabri; Bahaullah, Life of; Bahaullah, Life of (documents); Statements; Publications
1992. 29 May	A statement titled Bahá'u'lláh was published by the office of the Bahá'í International Community Office of Public Information in New York marking the centenary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh. It was bound as a booklet and given wide distribution in many national communities. The statement was formally released at a press conference in Bombay, India by Hassan Sabri. [VV126]	Mumbai (Bombay); India	Bahaullah (statement); Historical Overviews by Central Figures or BWC; Bahai International Community; Office of Public Information; Hassan Sabri; Bahaullah, Life of; Bahaullah, Life of (documents); Statements; Publications
1992 5 Jun	The Bahá'í Vocational Institute for Rural Women, a non-profit education project based in Indore, India, was one of 74 individuals and institutions presented with the United Nations Environment Programme ‘Global 500' award in Rio de Janeiro. [BINS272:5; BW92–3:125; VV110] For picture see BW92–3:183.	Rio de Janeiro; Brazil; Indore; India	Bahai Vocational Institute for Rural Women; Women; Social and economic development; United Nations; Environment; Awards
1992 23 – 26 Nov	The Second World Congress was held in New York City to commemorate the centenary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh and the completion of the Six Year Plan. It was attended by some 28,000 Bahá'ís from some 180 countries. [BBD240; VV136-141; BW92-93p95-102, 136] Nine auxiliary conferences were held in Buenos Aires, Sydney, New Delhi, Nairobi, Panama City, Bucharest, Moscow, Apia and Singapore. [BINS283:3-4] For pictures see [BINS283:9-10], [BW92-3p100] and [VV136-141] "New York will become a blessed spot from which the call to steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament of God will go forth to every part of the world." - 'Abdu'l-Bahá [AWH77-8 90-1 105-6] On the 25th of November a concert was held in Carnegie Hall as a birthday tribute to Dizzy Gillespie called "Celebrating the Bahá'í Vision of World Peace". [VV141] On the 26th of November Bahá'ís around the world were linked together by a live satellite broadcast serving the second Bahá'í World Congress, the nine auxiliary conferences and the Bahá'í World Centre and it was received by those with access to satellite dish antennas. [BINS283:1–5, 8; BINS286:10; BINS287:4] For the message of the Universal House of Justice read on the satellite link see BW92–3:37–4. For accounts of personal experiences by some of the attendees see In the Eyes of His Beloved Servants: The Second Bahá'í World Congress and Holy Year by J. Michael Kafes. The film, 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Mission to America, made by Elizabeth Martin, was prepared for the World Congress program and also used in the Theme Pavilion. [HNWE45]	New York; United States; Buenos Aires; Argentina; Sydney; Australia; New Delhi; India; Nairobi; Kenya; Panama; Bucharest; Romania; Moscow; Russia; Apia; Samoa; Singapore	World Congresses; Carnegie Hall; Centenaries; Bahaullah, Ascension of; Dizzy Gillespie; - Basic timeline, Expanded; film; Abdul-Baha: Mission to America; Elizabeth Martin
1993 24 Oct	The establishment of the India Hindi Bahá'í Academy (The Rashtriya Bahá'í Uchcha Shiksha Sansthan) in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). It was a national institute for higher learning of the Bahá'í Faith. There were three courses of study, a three year Advanced Bahá'í Studies course, a two year, post-graduate, Specialised Course and short courses for 3-5 days. The study scheme employed correspondence courses and campus contact, a programme for personal clarifications for the learners’ difficulties. Two question papers were also sent to them in each semester. The evaluation employed a two fold method: Viva voce examination based on the study materials and practical input in the field of service. Paper presentations, self reflection in the form of stories, songs, pictures, etc., and assignments in the active service of the Faith as well as making formal speeches all form a part of the final evaluation. [Bahá'í India website]	Lucknow; India	Bahai study centers; Bahai studies
1994. 24 Oct	The Supreme Court of India, in judgment to settle a religious dispute between Hindus and Muslims, cited the Bahá’í Faith as an example and the Teachings of the Faith as guidelines for resolving such disputes. [BW94-95p130-131; One Country] Background: On the 6th of December, 1992, the Babri mosque in the northern town of Ayodhya was razed by a group of Hindus because the mosque, built in 1528, had been erected on the spot where the Hindu deity Rama is said to have been born thousands of years earlier. The destruction enraged Muslims and ignited a grave crisis in India. Muslim and Hindu mobs attacked each other's houses of worship, homes and people in a number of cities, resulting in the death of hundreds and the destruction of property not only in India but in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and even in Britain. [Mess86-01p440] The Bahá'í community had issued a statement in English that highlighted a central theme: “Communal Harmony—India’s Greatest Challenge.” The issue of religious conflict and the importance of harmony and peacebuilding were emphasized. This statement was later translated into most of the official languages of India and distributed to Ministers, bureaucrats, district county workers, the superintendent of police, NGOS, and faith communities. The judges, in their ruling, quoted from the statement from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India Communal Harmony: India's Greatest Challenge. [Mess86-01p441] A timeline for the case.	New Delhi; India; Ayodhya	Communal harmony; Communalism; Ethnic divisions; Conflict resolution; Statements; National Spiritual Assembly, statements; Public discourse
1995 Jan	The first meeting of the Association of Bahá'í Doctors and Health Professionals in India took place. [BW94–5:116]	India	Conferences, Health; Bahai associations
1995 Oct – Dec	More than a million people visited the Bahá'í House of Worship in India in this period. [BINS357:5]	New Delhi; India	Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple; Statistics
1996 15 Jan	A Chair for Bahá'í Studies was inaugurated at the University of Lucknow. [BINS354:3]	Lucknow; India	Chair in Bahai Studies; Universities; Firsts, Other
2000. 29 Oct	The President of the Republic of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimmson, and his family visited the Bahá'í House of Worship. He was the first head of state to visit the famous "Lotus Temple" during an official state visit. The President's visit began with a briefing in the library on Bahá'í social and economic development efforts in India, with an emphasis on recent efforts to contribute to a moral education curriculum for Indian schools. The delegation then visited the House of Worship's main hall for a brief prayer service. The entire visit lasted about 40 minutes. President Grimmson was presented with "Forever in Bloom," a book of photographs about the House of Worship. [BWNS72]	New Delhi; India; Iceland	Olafur Ragnar Grimmson; Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Visitation
2000 21 - 24 Nov	Under the auspices of the ISGP, a colloquium on Science, Religion and Development was held in New Delhi. Considering India's history of development projects since 1947 as well as it's diverse and largely religious population, it was chosen as a testing-ground for developmental theories based the ISGP model. A year-long conversation was held with development thinkers and practitioners on the present state of development thought and practice. Based on what it learned from these interactions, the Institute prepared a concept paper titled Science, Religion and Development: Some Initial Considerations (PDF). For more information see the article in One Country. [One Country Vol 12 Issue 3 p11]	New Delhi; India	Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP)
2002 6 June	City Montessori School in Lucknow, India won the UNESCO Peace Education award in recognition of its efforts to promote the universal values of education for peace and tolerance and to renew the principles of secularism at a time when these values and principles are increasingly being challenged. The school was founded by Mr. Jagdish Gandhi and his wife Bharti in 1959 with only 5 students and has since earned a reputation for a high level of academic excellence — and for a distinctive program of moral and spiritual education. In 1999 the Guinness Book of World Records recognized City Montessori School as the world's largest school by enrollment. The school had some 22,000 students that year. In 2002 it had 26,000 students in grade levels ranging from pre-primary to college and in 2010-11 enrolment was 39,437. In 2014-14 it was over 47,000. Technically speaking, CMS is not so much a school as a school district, with some 20 branches spread throughout Lucknow. [CMS site, BWNS165, BWNS146, One CountryVol.14,Issue 1]	Lucknow; India	Awards; UNESCO; City Montessori School; Bahai schools; Social and economic development; BWNS
2003 18 Mar	The President of India, Abdul Kalam, visited the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi, the first official visit there by an Indian Head of State since the Temple was opened in December 1986. [BWNS204]	New Delhi; India	Abdul Kalam; Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple; Prominent visitors; Presidents; Firsts, Other; BWNS
2003. 17 - 19 Dec	The Bahá'i´International Community, with UNICEF, UNESCO, and major international non-governmental organizations, co-sponsored a regional conference in India with the theme, Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy. An address was delivered by Bani Dugal, the Principal Representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations. She noted that, according to UNICEF, 121 million children received little or no schooling of which 65 million of these were girls. The text of her speech can be found in the reference. [Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy]	New Delhi; India	Bahai International Community; UNICEF; UNESCO; United Nations; Bani Dugal; BIC statements
2006 15 Jul	The Bahá'í Academy in Panchgani, India, entered into a formal agreement with one of India's top-ranked universities to offer specialized training in education for moral development to its students, faculty, and staff. [BWNS470]	Panchgani; Pune (Poona); India	Bahai Academy; Universities; Moral education; BWNS
2008 Apr	The publication of Attaining the Dynamics of Growth: Glimpses from Five Continents by International Teaching Centre. The Universal House of Justice asked the International Teaching Centre to choose one example from each continent of an intensive programme of growth and prepare a document to demonstrate at once the diversity of conditions in which the believers everywhere were labouring and the coherent vision that united them as they advanced the process of entry by troops. The document consisted of five case studies and a closing analysis.	BWC; London; United Kingdom; Norte del Cauca; Colombia; Bihar Sharif; India; Kenya; Kiribati	* Institute process; Growth; Attaining the Dynamics of Growth; Visuals; Documentaries, BWC; Documentaries; ITC publications
2006 Jun	In a show of solidarity for the imprisoned Yaran, an open letter was sent from a number of members of the judiciary, human rights organizations and other notables in India. [Iran Press Watch 1624]	Iran; India	Yaran; Persecution, Human rights; Persecution, Iran; Human rights
2008 15 – 16 Nov	Regional Conferences were held in Bangui, Central African Republic, Bangalore, India and Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo, [BWNS669]	Bangui; Central African Republic; Bangalore; India; Uvira; Congo, Democratic Republic of (DRC)	Conferences, Regional; BWNS
2008 22 – 23 Nov	Regional Conferences were held in Quito, Ecuador, New Delhi, India, Kolkata, India, and Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [BWNS673]	Quito; Ecuador; New Delhi; India; Kolkata (Calcutta); Lubumbashi; Congo, Democratic Republic of (DRC)	Conferences, Regional; BWNS
2011 Ridván	The Preparation for Social Action programme was implemented under the Five Year Plan. The programme drew on the learning of three decades of experience of FUNDAEC (Fundación para la Aplicación y Enseñanza de las Ciencias), in Columbia. It was an approach to social and economic development that addressed both the material and the spiritual dimensions of human existence. The programme aimed at assisting youth to understand certain concepts, learn a range of relevant facts, and acquire certain qualities, attitudes and skills that would enable them to promote the well-being of their people in fields as diverse as health, education, the environment, secondary production and community organization. At the beginning of the Plan, the programme was being implemented in nine countries, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Zambia and involved some 1,500 to 3,000 participants. [5YPSumPage94-95] For further information see video entitled 2017 Teach For All Global Conference - Grassroots Stirrings in the Preparation for Social Action Program, Colombia See the thesis Knowledge Sharing for Community Developement: Educational Benefits at the Community Level through Networks of Knowledge Flow and Communities of Practice by Emily Lample. For further information please see Uplifting Words.	BWC; Cameroon; Colombia; Costa Rica; India; Kenya; Papua New Guinea; Uganda; Zambia	Five Year Plan (2011-2016); Teaching Plans; Preparation for Social Action
2012 21 Apr	Plans were announced that the Universal House of Justice was entering into consultations with respective National Spiritual Assemblies regarding the erection of the first local Houses of Worship in each of the following clusters: Battambang, Cambodia; Bihar Sharif, India; Matunda Soy, Kenya; Norte del Cauca, Colombia; and Tanna, Vanuatu. [BWNS906; Riḍván 2012 To the Bahá’ís of the World]	Matunda; Battambang; Cambodia; Bihar Sharif; India; Matunda Soy; Kenya; Norte del Cauca; Colombia; Tanna; Vanuatu	Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Mashriqul-Adhkar, Local; - Basic timeline, Expanded
2015 30 Oct	The cemetery of the 20,000 strong Bahá'í community of Rajasthan, located in Jaipur, was violently attacked and vandalised by a vigilante group of 50 to 60 persons allegedly led by the local right wing political party. They damaged a building that was under construction and threatened the caretaker physical harm. [The Wire 01/11/2015]	Jaipur; Rajasthan; India	Persecution, India; Persecution, Destruction; Persecution; Cemeteries and graves
2018. 25 Jan	The announcement of the opening of an educational centre at the Bahá'í Lotus Temple. The educational facility, which can accommodate hundreds, will be used to host camps, courses, and seminars for youth and young adults who are involved in efforts to improve their communities. With the opening of the new educational facility, many more will be able to attend these programs than was previously possible. Shaheen Javid, General Manager of the House of Worship reported that the Temple, which opened in 1986, received 10,000–15,000 visitors on weekdays and over 35,000 on weekends. [BWNS1234]	New Delhi; India	Shaheen Javid; Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Mashriqul-Adhkar, Delhi; Lotus temple; BWNS; Statistics; Youth
2018 (post International Bahá'í Convention)	Some 80 members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors met for a conference at the Bahá'í World Centre following the 12th International Bahá'í Convention. On that occasion, the Counsellors were able to reflect on major developments in Bahá'í communities around the world. In order to share their experiences some of their stories were recorded and made available via podcasts. The Counsellors discussed the impact of spiritual and moral education programs offered by the Bahá'í community on youth and the communities in which they live, drawing on experiences in Cambodia, Kiribati, India, Norway, Spain, and Timor Leste (or East Timor). [BWNS1264] Counsellors in Africa, Alain Pierre Djoulde, Clément Thyrrell Feizouré, Maina Mkandawire, and Judicaël Mokolédiscuss discussed endeavours in the field of education in that continent. [BWNS1269] The podcasts can be found here or on SoundCloud.	BWC; Haifa; Cambodia; Kiribati; India; Norway; Spain; Timor Leste (East Timor)	Counsellors; Conferences, Counsellors; * Institute process; Youth; Podcasts; Education; Conventions, International; BWNS
2020. 29 Apr	The design for the local Bahá'í House of Worship to be built in Bihar Sharif was unveiled. (Due to the coronavirus situation, the announcement was made online in lieu of a ceremony that would have marked the historic event.) News of this project was announced in 2012 along with other projects in Battambang, Cambodia; Matunda Soy, Kenya; Norte del Cauca, Colombia; and Tanna, Vanuatu. The architectural firm Space Matters of New Delhi was selected and the project was the creation of the founders of the firm, Moulshri Joshi, Amritha Ballal, and Suditya Sinha. The design. See article in Architecture Live. For an interview with the architects see Surface Magazine (PDF). Drawing on patterns found in the Madhubani folk art of Bihar and the region’s long architectural heritage, the firm created a design with a repeating pattern of arches. The domed edifice will step up from nine arches at the base, multiplying until each segment appears to merge into a single geometry. Openings at the center of the dome and in each ring of arches will reduce the weight of the ceiling while allowing gentle light to filter in. [BWNS1421] Slideshow.	Bihar Sharif; New Delhi; India	Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Mashriqul-Adhkar, Local; - Basic timeline, Expanded
2020. 11 Jul	The Bahá’í Chair for Studies in Development organized a series of webinars on the social and economic impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on India’s most vulnerable populations in rural and urban areas. The first of these webinars was titled Making Cities Belong to Those Who Build Them: Towards a More Inclusive Urbanization. The webinar explored the various dimensions of the challenge with urban development in India. Deliberations were focused on the dual need to bring about structural changes to make urban spaces more inclusive and to transform the way the urban poor are conceived in development thinking and urban policies. Speakers included the following noted economists, social scientists and development practitioners: Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Distinguished Fellow, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, New Delhi; Prof. Partha Mukhopadhyay, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi; Dr Siddharth Agarwal of the Urban Health Research Centre, New Delhi; Dr Puja Guha Azim Premji University, Bangalore; Dr Vandana Swami, Azim Premji University, Bangalore and Ms Caroline Fazli, Research Scholar, University of Bath. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Arash Fazli, Head, Bahá’í Chair for Studies in Development.	Indore, India	Bahai Chair for Studies in Development
2021. 21 Feb	The ground breaking ceremony for the first local Mashriqul-Adhkar in India was held in Bihar Sharif. The ceremony marking the start of construction of the local House of Worship brought together local dignitaries, representatives of the Bahá’í community and residents of the area. The groundbreaking ceremony culminated with the placing of soil collected from villages across the state of Bihar at the temple site. This gesture was evocative of the connection between the thousands of residents of these villages and the House of Worship. [BWNS1491]	Bihar Sharif; India	Mashriqul-Adhkar (House of Worship); Mashriqul-Adhkar, Local; - Basic timeline, Expanded

from the Chronology Canada

date	event	locations	tags	see also
1970 18 Oct	Mr. Olingo gave an address at the Whitehorse Flats Indian Village and another in the Elk's Hall in the evening. [CBN244Nov1970p2]	Whitehorse Flats Indian Village, YT	Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga
1996 10 Jan	The passing of Ruth Eyford in St. Albert, AB. (b. Ruth Monk 12 June, 1930, NS). [Find a grave] She became a Bahá'í in Montreal in 1956 and married Glen Eyford in 1957. She and Glen served in Iceland and in India. Returning to Canada she served as an Auxiliary Board Member and as chair of the National Spiritual Assembly as well as a number of local and national committees. [BW1995-1996p313]	St. Albert, AB; Montreal, QC; Canada; India; Iceland	Ruth Eyford; In Memoriam; Births and deaths; Pioneering; Auxiliary Board Members
2022. 19 Nov	The passing of Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford (neé Moar)(b. 17 March 1929 Indian Head, SK) from complications after falling and hitting her head in Victoria. She had earned a medical degree at the age of 52 and practiced as a family and palliative-care physician. In 1984 she became active in the nuclear disarmament movement and a member of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada and co-wrote a book, Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror and War. Awards she received over the years include the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal from the Governor General, the Gandhi Prize, the Award of Excellence from Doctors of B.C. and, with Down, the 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Canadians for a Nuclear Weapons Convention. [Condolences; Times Colonist 18 December 2022]	Victoria; BC; Indian Head; SK	Mary-Winne Ashford; In Memoriam

from the Main Catalogue

1970-1995: Newspaper articles archive (1970-1995). Collection of newspaper articles from 1970-1995. [about]
Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks, by Abdu'l-Bahá (2018/2023). 167 selections, updated August 2023. [about]
Amatu'l-Bahá Visits India, by Violette Nakhjavani (1966). The story of Rúhíyyih Khánum's 9-month journey across India and Southeast Asia in 1964, as told by her travel companion. [about]
Architectural Blossoming of the Lotus, by S. Naharoy, in source unknown (2011(?)). Architectural descriptions, blueprints, geometry, photos, and history of the design and construction of the Bahá'í temple in India. [about]
Attaining the Dynamics of Growth: Glimpses from Five Continents, by International Teaching Centre (2008-04). This World Centre publication was used for consultation at the 10th International Bahá'í Convention. In pictures, case studies, testimonials, and analysis of programs of growth on 5 continents, it demonstrates the diverse conditions of Bahá'ís worldwide. [about]
Bahá'í Bhajans: An example of the Bahá'í Use of Hindu Symbols, by William Garlington, in Occasional Papers in Shaykhi, Babi and Bahá'í Studies, 2:1 (1998-01). The appearance of Bahá'í bhajans is indicative of both the approaches taken by the Indian Bahá'í community towards Hindu villagers during the mass teaching period, and perhaps of a broader pattern of cross cultural exchange and adaptation. [about]
Bahá'í Faith in India, The: A Developmental Stage Approach, by William Garlington, in Occasional Papers in Shaykhi, Babi and Bahá'í Studies, 2 (1997-06). 5 distinct stages of development of Bahá'í history in India, each with its own unique personalities and events, patterns of community organization and missionary endeavor; the internal and external dynamics which led to these changes. [about]
Bahá'í Faith in Malwa, The: A Study of a Contemporary Religious Movement, by William Garlington (1975). A broad overview of Bahá'í history in general and in India in particular. Examination of present-day activities, sociological frameworks of village life, and development of local Bahá'í administrative orders. [about]
Bahá'í News Publications Seek to Elevate Thought, Inspire Action, by Bahá'í World News Service, in Bahá'í World (2018-10-12). Brief overview of the histories of various Bahá'í journals: Star of the West, Khurshid-i khavar, Sonne der Wahrheit, Wirklichkeit, The Dawn, Herald of the South, The Bahá'í World, World Order, and Bahá’í World News Service. [about]
Bahá'í Population of India, 1991, in Census of India 1991 (1995). Various figures from a government census. May be inaccurate. [about]
Bahá'í Proselytization in Malwa, India, by William Garlington, in Studies in the Bábí and Bahá'í Religions, Volume 2 (1984/2001). The establishment of the Bahá'í Faith in Malwa amongst poor rural villagers; elements of appeal, including the use of Hindu terminology. [about]
Bahá'í World, The: Volume 18 (1979-1983), in Bahá'í World (1986). Periodic volumes that survey the global activities and major achievements of the Faith. [about]
Bahá'u'lláh and Liberation Theology, by Juan Cole, in Revisioning the Sacred: New Perspectives on a Bahá'í Theology, Studies in the Bábí and Bahá'í Religions vol. 8 (1997). The idea of liberation and equality is central to Bahá'í theology; the poor in the 19th century Middle East; Bahá'u'lláh and the poor; Tablet to the Kings on wealth and peace; laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Huququ'lláh; state social welfare. [about]
Baháʼí Houses of Worship: A Visual Overview (2020). A collection of collages, exterior and interior images of Baháʼí Houses of Worship constructed, under construction, or planned worldwide. [about]
Biographical letter from a Hindu villager, by Daya Ram Malviya (1974). A glimpse into the life of an Indian convert to the Faith. [about]
Bios of Mihraban Rustam Bulbulan and Kaushal Kishore Bhargava, by Dipchand Khianra, in Bahá'í World, Vol. 18 (1979-1983) (1986). "One Kind Deed," a bio of Mihraban Rustam Bulbulan, and "Kaushal Kishore Bhargava: An Appreciation." [about]
Buddhism and the Bahá'í Faith, by Daniel Conner, in World Order, 6:2 (1971-72 Winter). Brief summary of the history and thought of Buddhism; commonalities with Western concepts; different emphases placed on ethics vs. metaphysics; aspects of social control. [about]
Choice of the West for Abdu'l-Bahá's Epoch-Making Trip, The, by Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, in Lights of Irfan, 13 (2012). Reasons for Abdu'l-Bahá choosing Western nations for the climax of his ministry, and results he achieved in Europe and the United States. [about]
Communal Harmony: India's Greatest Challenge, by National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India (1993(?)/2015). A formal statement from the NSA of the Bahá'ís of India on the need to overcome religious, linguistic and caste-based tensions. [about]
Conversion Movements within Hindu Village Culture, by Susan Maneck (1997). Hindu, Christian, and Bahá'í conversion patterns in India. [about]
Dashavatara and Progressive Revelation, by Anupam Premanand, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 11 (2010). The phenomenon of Divine Revelation from the Hindu and Bahá'í points of view is studied in terms of religion as an eternal process. [about]
Dawn of a New Day, by Shoghi Effendi (1970). Early version of Messages of Shoghi Effendi to India. [about]
Development of the Bahá'í Faith in Malwa, The: 1941-1974, by William Garlington, in Occasional Papers in Shaykhi, Babi and Bahá'í Studies, 3:1 (1999-02). A socio-cultural examination of Bahá'í mass teaching as experienced in Central India. [about]
Discussion with Farida Vahedi, Executive Director of the Department of External Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, A, by Michael Bodakowski and Katherine Marshall (2011-03-02). Overview of Vahedi's life and work, history of the Faith in India and development projects, the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity, and issues regarding migration and protection of women and girls. [about]
Echoes from the Lotus, by Collis Featherstone and William Sears (1986). Address at the dedication of the New Delhi temple. [about]
Encouragement of the Arts During the Ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá: The Services of Master Calligrapher Mishkín-Qalam, by Nooshfar Afnan, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 33:1-2 (2023-10). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá promoted the arts, including through support of Mishkín-Qalam and artistic conceptions for the interment of the remains of the Báb, the construction of the first Bahá’í House of Worship, and transcription of Bahá’í literature. [about]
Encyclopaedia Iranica: Selected articles related to Persian culture, religion, philosophy and history, by Encyclopaedia Iranica, in Encyclopaedia Iranica (1982-2023). Sorted, categorized collection of links to over 170 articles. [about]
From Iran East and West, in Studies in the Bábí and Bahá'í Religions, Volume 2 (1984). Essays on Bahá'í history in the Middle East, the United States, and India. [about]
Further Comments on a Passage of the Lawh-i-Hikmat, by Amin E. Egea, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 10 (2009). A study of Pre-Islamic sources on the relation of Greek Philosophers and Jewish sages. [about]
Hindu Concept of God, The: Unity in Diversity, by Anjam Khursheed, in Singapore Bahá'í Studies Review, vol. 2 (1997). The fundamental unity behind Hindu concepts of God and those found in the Semitic traditions, and the principle of unity in diversity, allow Hindu and Bahá'í beliefs to come together and further their common goal of uniting the world's religions. [about]
Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith, by Moojan Momen (1990). An attempt to explore the relationship between Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith and to explain the Bahá'í Faith to those who are from a Hindu background. [about]
Historical Account of Two Indian Babis: Sa'en Hindi and Sayyid Basir Hindi, by Sepehr Manuchehri (2001-03). Includes translated excerpts from a number of Persian sources on these two individuals. [about]
Hope and Resilience: The Application of Spiritual Principles to Community Life, by Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (2021). On how communities use concepts and principles such as the oneness of humankind and interconnectedness with nature in their eﬀorts to contribute towards the common good; on strong networks of social support and the management of water-related challenges. [about]
Illustrated description of a design in the Persian-Indian style of architecture for the first Mashrak-el-Azkar (Bahá'í temple) to be erected in America, by Charles Mason Remey (1920). Expanded version of a portion of Remey's earlier Mashrak-el-Azkar [Mashriqu'l-Adhkár]: Descriptive of the Bahai temple, with photographs of Temple models. [about]
Image of the Mystic Flower, The: Exploring the Lotus Symbolism in the Bahá'í House of Worship, by Julie Badiee, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 10:1-2 (2000). The design of the temple in India creates the visual effect of a large, white lotus blossom emerging from the pools of water around it. Besides many other deep and old cultural meanings, flower imagery symbolizes the appearance of the new Manifestation. [about]
Inayat Khan's meeting with 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris, by Inayat Khan (1913). One-paragraph recounting of Khan, the founder of "Universal Sufism," meeting with Abdu'l-Bahá in 1913. [about]
India: A Modern History, by Percival Spear (1961). 1-sentence excerpt from Chapter 8, "Islam in India." [about]
India, Notes on Bahá'í Population, by Charles Nolley and William Garlington (1997-03). Indian membership numbers, and how "enrollment" there has a different meaning than in developed countries. [about]
'Indian Money' and the Shi'i Shrine Cities of Iraq, 1786-1850, by Juan Cole, in Middle Eastern Studies, 22:4 (1986-10). On the political economy of the Shi'i shrine cities of Iraq, theological and pilgrimage centers which grew around the tombs of the Imams, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Connections from India proved lucrative for the Usuli clerics in these cities. [about]
Institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, The, by Universal House of Justice and Horace Holley, in Bahá'í World, Vol. 18 (1979-1983) (1986). Five documents from Bahá'í World 18 part four section 5: Institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, its spiritual significance, the temple on the Indian sub-continent, the Lotus of Bahapur, and the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands. [about]
Inter-religious gathering in New Delhi, and Address to Pope John Paul II, by Zena Sorabjee and National Spiritual Assembly of India (1999-12-12). Brief address by Counsellor Sorabjee to an inter-religious gathering organised by the Roman Catholic Church in New Delhi with with Pope John Paul II, and a short description of the event by the NSA of India, as shared by the House of Justice. [about]
Invisible Occidentalism: Eighteenth-Century Indo-Persian Constructions of the West, by Juan Cole, in Iranian Studies, 25:3-4 (1992 Summer-Fall). Iranian attitudes toward Western culture, science, and philosophers in the colonial era. (No mention of Babis or Bahá'ís.) [about]
Jainism and the Bahá'í Faith: Non-Violence and Plurality Across Time and Space, by Yifan Zhang, in ISJS-Transactions: A Quarterly Refereed Online Research Journal on Jainism, 6:2 (2022 April-June). Comparison of similarities in Bahá'í and Jain teachings, especially in non-violence and plurality across time and space. Link to article (offsite). [about]
Jamál Effendi and the early history of the Bahá'í Faith in South Asia, by Moojan Momen, in Bahá'í Studies Review, 9 (1999). Includes maps on Jamal Effendi's journeys in India, and journeys in Southeast Asia. [about]
List of Articles on BahaiTeachings.org, by Christopher Buck (2020). List of online essays and articles by Christopher Buck since 2014. [about]
Lotus in Concrete, by S. Naharoy and Fariborz Sahba, in ECC Concord, special edition (2011-09). A special-edition journal with photos of the temple in India, with essays "Bahá'í House of Worship," "Taj Mahal of the 20th Century," "Design and Construction," "Lotus and Other Design Highlights," "Shaping a Dream in Concrete." [about]
Maharishi Ayurveda: A Bahá'í Exploration, by Felicity Rawlings, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 4:3 (1992). Some of the therapeutic strategies of Maharishi Ayurveda and how they correspond to the Bahá’í writings on healing. [about]
Maharishi Ayurveda: A Bahá'í Exploration, by Felicity Rawlings, in Australian Bahá'í Studies, 3 (2001). Some of the therapeutic strategies of Maharishi Ayurveda and comparative assessment to the Bahá’í writings, and as seen in light of our the understanding of homeostasis, pathogeny, and the mind-body relationship. [about]
May Knowledge Grow in our Hearts: Applying Spiritual Principles to Development Practice, by Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (2010). On how an organization can employ the methods of science and the principles of religion together while working for a more humane and just world, via the case of India's Seva Mandir (Temple of Service). [Link to PDF, offsite.] [about]
Mention of the Babi and Baha'i Faiths in the New York Times 1852 - 1922, in New York Times (1852-1922). 45 articles and brief mentions, spanning 70 years. [about]
Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986: Third Epoch of the Formative Age, by Universal House of Justice (1996). [about]
Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent: 1923-1957, by Shoghi Effendi (1995). Revised and expanded version of Dawn of a New Day. [about]
Miracles in Religion: A Study of the miraculous in religion in context of the Baha'i Faith, by Anil Sarwal (1996-11). Guide to spirituality, offers insights on the purpose of religion, experiences of Himalayan masters, worship of gods and goddesses, idol worship, psychic phenomena, prayer, meditation, and fasting. [about]
Narayenrao Rangnath Vakil (1998-09). Short biography of the first Hindu Bahá'í (?-1943). [about]
Navjote of a Converted Zoroastrian Bahai, The: (Chapter 68), by Maneckji Nuserwanji Dhalla, in Dastur Dhalla, the Saga of a Soul: Autobiography of Shams-ul-ulama Dastur Dr. Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla (1975). Overview of the Faith, and the author's interactions with Bahá'ís in the early 1900s. (Navjote is the initiation ceremony where a child receives his/her ceremonial garments and first performs the Zoroastrian ritual.) [about]
New Delhi: Recommendations for a Short Stay, by Kirsten Ellis (1991). Half-page overview of the Lotus Temple in India, and brief summary of Bahá'í history. [about]
New Religious Movements, Tolkien, Marriage, by Universal House of Justice (1994-07-06). Various questions: new religious movements; Indian Letter of the Living; J.R.R. Tolkien; eternality of the marriage bond; illumination of Bahá'u'lláh's tablets. [about]
Nine Days to Istanbul, by Jeanne de Corrales (1981/1992). An incredible story of a mid January 1963 train journey. [about]
Non-Governmental Perspective on the Relative Effectiveness of Multilateral and Bilateral Measures to Combat Hate Speech, A: An Analysis of Tools Deployed in Response to Religious Hate Speech in Iran, by Bani Dugal, in Religion, Hateful Expression and Violence, 41:23 (2023-07). International Human Rights framework; Iran's obligations under international law; history of Bahá'í persecution; connections between media, propaganda, and violence; reactions and responses to hate speech from the United Nations and the global community. [about]
Permissibility of Chinese New Year Celebrations and Cultural Prostrations, by Universal House of Justice (2019-06-04). Permissibility of observing Chinese New Year; prostrating is permissible for cultures in which prostrations do not signify submission or humiliation, but are merely gestures of respect or politeness. [about]
Pritam Singh (1998-09). Short biography of the first Sikh Bahá'í (1881-1959). [about]
Prophets of Mahabad, and Nature of Creation: The Two Questions of Manakji Limji Hataria, by Susan Maneck (2011). Discussion of Baha’u’llah’s letters to Manakji Hataria as found in the Tabernacle of Unity, compiled from an email discussion group archive; the context of the questions and their answers against the background of Ishraqi philosophy. [about]
Proselytizing, Development, and the Covenant, by Universal House of Justice, in Messages from the Universal House of Justice: 1963-1986, The Third Epoch of the Formative Age (1996). Teaching vs. proselytization; applying Bahá'í social teachings without becoming ensnared in prevailing cultural mores; and the uniqueness of the Bahá'í covenant. [about]
Questions and Answers 1950-51, by Mirra Alfassa (1951/1972). Recollections of Abdu'l-Bahá speaking about sacrifice and suffering by a leading spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. [about]
Rabindranath Tagore: Some Encounters with Bahá'ís, by Peter Terry (1992/2015). 'Abdu'l-Bahá is alleged to have met India's poet laureate Tagore in Chicago in 1912. This article examines the historical sources for that story. [about]
References to the Bahá'í Faith in the U.S. State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, by United States Department of State (1991-2001). Excerpts from the State Department's annual compilation of Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on discrimination against the Bahá'í Faith and persecution of its adherents in twenty countries. [about]
Ridván 1996 (Four Year Plan) - To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka: Bahá'í Era 153, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Country-specific portion of the annual message to the Bahá'ís of the world: South-east Asia. [about]
Rise of the Terrorism and Secessionism in South Asia: A Baha'i Viewpoint, by Ali K. Merchant, in Journal of Dharma, 25:3-4 (2000). A short article about causes of terrorism, its history in India, understanding the terrorist mindset, and some Bahá'í solutions. [about]
Science, Religion, and Development: Promoting a Discourse in India, Brazil, and Uganda, by Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (2010). The experience and insights of academics, policy makers, and development practitioners who have contributed to the discourse on science, religion, and development on three continents. [Link to PDF, offsite.] [about]
Simla, a Tale of Love, by Stanwood Cobb (1919). A Hindu legend retold in poetic form: a story of love and devotion that reconciles flesh and spirit, love and life, the world and the soul. [about]
Singular Room, A: An Exploration of Bahá'í Houses of Worship, by Sama Shodjai (2023-12). Overview of the design principles followed in building the Bahá'í temples, and the intricacies and considerations involved in their design, using Canada as a case study. (Link to document, offsite). [about]
Splendour of God, The: Being Extracts from the Sacred Writings of the Bahais (1909/1911). An early overview of Bábí and Bahá'í history, along with early translations of Seven Valleys, Hidden Words, and selected texts from other tablets. [about]
Sri Aurobindo Movement and the Bahá'í Faith, by Anil Sarwal (2001). Summary historical connections between the two communities. [about]
Storytelling and Once Upon a Time, The: Youtube Playlists, by Fariborz Sahba (2020). Zoom videos of some historical events witnessed by the manager for the Arc Project during 10 years of the development of the Bahá'í Temple in India and 15 years of the development of the Mount Carmel Bahá'í Project in Haifa, and other stories. [about]
Study of Architectural Monuments in South-East Zone of Nigeria, A: Evolving Appropriate Listing Criteria, by Nduka Emmanuel Okechukwu (2013-03). Overview of the architecture, design considerations, and construction of the Lotus Temple in India (excerpted from a longer thesis on other topics). [about]
Symbol and Secret: Qur'an Commentary in Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i-Iqan, by Christopher Buck (1995/2012/2021). Comparative study of tafsir, exegesis, and theology in the Qur'an and the Kitab-i-Iqan. Includes Persian translation. [about]
Tabernacle of Unity, The: Bahá'u'lláh's Responses To Mánikchi Sáhib, by Bahá'u'lláh (2006). [about]
Táhirih's Message to the Modern World, by Martha Root, in Bahá'í World, Vol. 8 (1938-1940) (1941). Transcript of a radio address from Sunday April 21, 1940, telling the story of Ṭáhirih, describing her as the foremost woman of her generation known across Persia for her beauty, intelligence, and courage, who gave her life for the emancipation of women. [about]
Through the Eyes of Margaret Cousins: Irish and Indian Suffragette, by Keith Munro (2018). Biography of the co-founder of the Irish Women's Franchise League, a theosophist, who met both Martha Root and Shoghi Effendi. [about]
Treasures of the East: The Life of Nine Oriental Countries, by Zia M. Bagdadi (1930). Descriptions of nine "Treasures" — Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Jijaz (Arabia), Transjordania (Arabia), Persia, India, and Turkey — by an Iraqi physician who traveled to the U.S. and was instrumental in the establishment of several Bahá'í communities. [about]
Wittgensteinian Language-Games in an Indo-Persian Dialogue on the World Religions, by Juan Cole, in Iran Nameh, 30:3 (2015 Fall). Reflections on Bahá'u'lláh's theology of previous religions and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of "language games"; Hinduism, India, and 19th-century Iranian culture; Manakji’s questions about Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. [about]
Words of Long Ago, by Mirra Alfassa (1912/1978). Transcript of a talk The Mother delivered to some Bahá'ís in Paris in 1912 by request of Abdu'l-Bahá; reflections inspired by the departure of Abdu'l-Bahá from Paris in June 1913. [about]
Year With the Bahá'ís of India and Burma, A, by Sydney Sprague (1908/1986). An early account of the author's personal experiences in India circa 1904 and 1907, relating his interactions with the Bahá'ís and what the Bahá'í cause was doing in India and Burma. [about]
Yoga (2015-01). Four quotations from the House on the practice of hatha yoga. [about]

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