In the history of the emergence of the deviant thought of Baha’ism particularly the expansion of the influence of the deviant cult of Baha’ism, we encounter the name of Maneckji Limji Hataria known as the mortal dervish who was born in Azar 21, 1192 S.H. in Mourasomali, Sourat port, India to 1269 S.H. in Tehran). Maneckji has financially supported the British wage-earner during the years serving the Colonialism. He has also supported Babism and Baha’ism. He had come to Iran with the excuse of supporting the Zoroastrians. He had done measures such as preaching Baha’ism among the Zoroastrians, making lineage for the self-proclaimed prophet of Baha’ism, following writing the book in preaching Baha’ism and etc.
Maneckji was from India and had British citizenship. He had served the old Colonialism for years. He visited the self-proclaimed prophet of Baha’ism in Baqdad city and it was the onset of the relationships between the British agent and Baha’ism.[1]
After travelling to Iran and during 28 years of residence in Iran, he supported Babism and Baha’ism seriously such as:
۱-Employing the Baha’i teachers for the Zoroastrian students: with the excuse of improving the conditions of Zoroastrians of Iran, Maneckji established the Zoroastrian schools[2]. However, he used Baha’I teachers in a sensitive measure and contrary to the mission of building schools particularly for the Zoroastrian kids. This clear measure caused the Zoroastrian community to oppose. So, the Indian Persians association ordered the school to be stopped.
۲-Cooperating with the Baha’i dignitaries: Employing Abul Fadhl Golpaygani, one of the prominent proselytizers of Baha’ism by Maneckji caused great influence on stabilizing and expanding Baha’ism among the Zoroastrians. Golpaygani, the famous proselytizer entered into the Zoroastrian school at first as the religious teacher by Maneckji who was then dismissed after the Zoroastrians’ oppositions. After his dismissal, by electing Golpaygani by Maneckji as his special secretary, expansive relationships were created between the Baha’is and the Zoroastrians!
The Baha’i author says in this regard: “Maneckji begged Abul Fadhl Golpaygani to teach Persian literature in that school. Mirza Abul Fadhl accepted the suggestion.[3]”
۳-Making lineage for the self-proclaimed prophet of Baha’ism: One of the other measures done by Maneckji (the British spy in Iran) was helping Abul Fadhl Golpaygani to make lineage for Hussein Ali Nouri (the self-proclaimed prophet of Baha’ism) and his attribution to third Yazdgerd. This family tree was really influential in the tendency of the Zoroastrians to Baha’ism.[4]
۴-Following writing a book to preach Baha’ism: To stabilize Baha’ism movement, Maneckji followed writing various theological and historical books in the field of Baha’ism. He asked Mirza Hussein Hamedani to write the history of Baha’ism and he himself deviated it, too.
[۱] For more studies refer to the article: who is Maneckjji? What is his relationship with Baha’ism?
[۲] Rashid Shahmardan, the history of Zoroastrians- The Zoroastrian learned ones, Tehran, Forouhar, 1363 S.H., p. 626.
[۳] Rouhullah Mehranjani, the bio0graphy of the Excellency Mirza Golpaygani, Bija: the national institute of the faith press, 131 Badi’a, pp. 57-58.
[۴] Refer to Susan Stylesmank, the tendency of the religious minorities to the Baha’I faith, -Some observations, translated by Sepideh Zameni
