A Brief Survey of Historiography of the Baha’i Faith

Historiography in Babi and Baha’i Faiths, unlike the historiographies in many other cultures and societies, has a long story, equal to the Babi – Bahai history! The Babi - Baha’i historians have made changes in their histories during the period of the formation and evolution of these faiths, according to the changes in their leadership. Therefore, paying attention to internal conflicts and disputes, as well as strategic changes in the reign of each leader, is very important and fundamental to recognize the historiography in that era. Also Babi - Baha’i historiography is not immune from plagues such as a pious view of accepting far-fetched events, relying on the words of leaders as sacred ones contrasting with real events recorded by other historians. This article, while analyzing the changes of leadership in the Babi and Baha’i Faiths, and the shift of social power among their descendants, examines the impact of this phenomenon on the Babi and Baha’i historiography, and presents some of the challenges in studying historical books written by the Baha’i believers by providing examples and documents.