Robert Mignan facts for kids

Robert Mignan (1803 – 3 June 1852) was a British military officer, explorer, and author. He was a member of the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Early Life and Military Career

Robert Mignan joined the Bombay Army in 1819. He became a lieutenant in the 1st European Regiment on May 3, 1820. In January 1821, he was part of a large military group. This group, led by General Lionel Smith, went on an expedition against the Bani Bu Ali tribe in Oman.

In the 1820s, Mignan was in charge of the guards. These guards protected the representative of the British East India Company.

Adventures in the Middle East

Between 1826 and 1828, Mignan went on several trips. He explored less-known parts of Iraq. He visited famous ancient places like Ctesiphon and Babylon. In 1829, he published a book about his travels. It was called Travels in Chaldæa: Including a Journey from Bussorah to Bagdad, Hillah, and Babylon, Performed on Foot in 1827.

Journey Through Russia and Persia

In 1829, Mignan and his family left London. They were returning to his military duties in India. They traveled through St. Petersburg, which was the capital of the Russian Empire.

In St. Petersburg, Mignan met Prince Khosrow Mirza. The Prince was a special messenger from Persia. He was returning to Persia after delivering an apology for a sad event involving a Russian diplomat in Teheran.

While in St. Petersburg, Mignan also met Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt was a famous Prussian scholar. He encouraged Mignan to explore the western coast of the Caspian Sea.

Mignan then took a difficult winter journey. He traveled through Novocherkassk and the Caucasus mountains. He reached Tiflis, the capital of Russian Georgia. From there, he went further south into northwestern Persia. This journey happened in 1829 and 1830. Mignan wrote about it in his travel book. It was called A Winter Journey through Russia, the Caucasian Alps, and Georgia, and it was published in London in 1839.

Later Military Career and Death

Mignan was promoted to captain on September 11, 1830. He became a major on August 15, 1847. His last military rank was brevet lieutenant colonel on June 7, 1849. Robert Mignan passed away in Poonah in 1852.