Sayyid Ali-Muhmammad, the Bab, was born in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on 20 October 1819, into a family of traders and merchants, His father died when the Bab was a child ( c 1826 ) and He was brought up by His mother and under the guardianship of her brothers.

 As a boy He attended a local Quranic school for His elementary education as well as commercial training from His family. At the age of 15, He began work in His uncle’s business in the port city of Bushir on the Persian Gulf and later setting up as an independent merchant. In 1841 (aged 22 ) He felt impelled to close His office and embark on an extended pilgrimage to Muslim shrines in Iraq which brought Him into contact with the Shakhi School of Ahmad Ahsaii. He returned to His home where in August 1842 married His cousin. The young couple’s only child died in infancy in 1843. His extreme piety and asceticism continued to attract attention and He also began to write on religious themes, this being a highly unusual activity for someone who had not received a specialised Clerical education. 

He declared His mission to one Mulla Hussain Bushruii on the evening of 22 May 1844. This represented a turning point. Not only did the Bab now claimed to be the Bearer of a divine mission, but He had gained His first disciple. Thus A NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT HAD COME INTO BEING. This declaration eventually led to His martyrdom in1850 and continued persecution and massacre of His followers.