Transnational Baha’i Print Culture: Community Formation and Religious Authority, 1890–1921*

Abstract

Persian and Arabic Baha'i publishing emerged during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when printing was becoming increasingly widespread in Muslim societies. This article examines how Baha'is employed printing in community consolidation, scriptural canonization, and apologetic encounters. It first considers the role of Baha'i leadership in promoting and defining the parameters of print activities. It then discusses the transnational commercial, travel and pilgrimage routes facilitating the preparation and distribution of printed materials throughout India, Egypt, Palestine, Russian Turkistan and Iran. Specific attention will be paid to individual Baha'is as cultural middlemen across geographical boundaries.