The British consul-general in Baghdád offered Bahá’u’lláh “the protection of British citizenship”

Nor was the then representative of the British government, Colonel Sir Arnold Burrowes Kemball, consul-general in Baghdád, insensible of the position which Bahá’u’lláh now occupied. Entering into friendly correspondence with Him, he, as testified by Bahá’u’lláh Himself, offered Him the protection of British citizenship, called on Him in person, and undertook to transmit to Queen Victoria any communication He might wish to forward to her. He even expressed his readiness to arrange for the transfer of His residence to India, or to any place agreeable to Him. This suggestion Bahá’u’lláh declined, choosing to abide in the dominions of the Sulṭán of Turkey. 

- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’, chapter 8)

Some high ranking Persian officials in Baghdad “attempted, in their short-sightedness, to secure His support and assistance for the furtherance of the designs they cherished”

Some of the more ambitious among them, such as ‘Abbás Mírzá, a son of Muhammad Sháh, the Vazír-Nizám, and Mírzá Malkam Khán, as well as certain functionaries of foreign governments, attempted, in their short-sightedness, to secure His support and assistance for the furtherance of the designs they cherished, designs which He unhesitatingly and severely condemned. 

- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’, chapter 8)

“Persians of high eminence, living in exile… sat…at His [Bahá’u’lláh’s] feet”

Persians of high eminence, living in exile, rejecting, in the face of the mounting prestige of Bahá’u’lláh, the dictates of moderation and prudence, sat, forgetful of their pride, at His feet, and imbibed, each according to his capacity, a measure of His spirit and wisdom. 

- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’, chapter 8)

“fugitives…sought, with their wives and children… relative security”

As time went on, fugitives, driven by the ever-present fear of persecution, sought, with their wives and children, the relative security afforded them by close proximity to One who had already become the rallying point for the members of a sorely-vexed community. 

- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’, chapter 8)