Ch.XXV, p.588, f.1
"From his childhood, Siyyid Basir showed signs of the wonderful faculties
which he afterwards manifested. For seven years he enjoyed the blessings
of sight, but then, even as the vision of his soul became clear, a veil of
darkness fell on his outward eyes. From his infancy, he had displayed his
good disposition and amiable character both in word and deed, he now added
to this a singular piety and soberness of life. At length, at the age of
twenty-one, he set out with great pomp and state (for he had much wealth in
India) to perform the pilgrimage; and, on reaching Persia, began to
associate with every sect and party (for he was well acquainted with the
doctrines and tenets of all), and to give away large religious discipline.
And since his ancestors had foretold that in those days a Perfect Man
should appear in Persia, was continually engaged in making enquiries. He
visited Mecca and, after performing the rites of the pilgrimage, proceeded
to the holy shrines of Karbila and Najaf, where he met the late Haji
Siyyid Kazim, for whom he conceived a sincere friendship. He then
returned to India; but, on reaching Bombay, he heard that one claiming to
be the Bab had appeared in Persia, whereupon he at once turned back
thither." (The "Tarikh-i-Jadid," pp. 245-6.)