Charles Masson (1800–1853) was the pseudonym of James Lewis, a
East India Company soldier and
explorer. He was the first european who discovered the ruins of
Harappa near
Sahiwal in
Punjab,
Pakistan.
Early life
He was born in 1800. He was a
British national. He joined the
Bengal Artillery wing of the East India Company Army in
India and served in the
Battle of Bharatpur.
Wanderings
In 1827, when he was stationed at
Agra, he deserted along with a colleague and started wandering in
Punjab that was not under British control at that time. He was the first european who saw the ruins of
Harappa in late 1820s. He made some drawings and described it in his book
Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan and The Panjab.
He also visited
Frontier and
Balochistan provinces of
Pakistan and
Afghanistan serving as an agent of the East India Company. He was an expert
numismatist. After some years when he returned back he was forgiven.
See also
