Michel
Joachin Marie Raymond, a French mercenary was a military
commander and close friend of the second
Asif Jah, Nizam Ali Khan. He was designated Amir-I-Jinsi
or Controller of Ordinance by the Nizam. He undertook
the construction of the Gunfoundries in Hyderabad.
In time, he came to be loved by the local folk and
was known for his loyalty and resolution. Joachim
Marie Raymond, who served as one of Asaf jah II's
generals. Born in France in 1755
A.D., he came to India and in 1786 joined the service
of the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad as an ordinary
soldier. He worked his way up rapidly, and when
he died just twelve years later, in 1798, he was
the commander of a 19,000-strong army. He was not
only,
held in high esteem by the Nizam, but also won
the admiration of the common people. He was popular
among the Hindus and Muslims alike; the Hindus
called him Musa Ram, to the Muslims he was Musa
Rahim. Writes historian Malleson: "No European
of mark who followed him in India, ever succeeded
in gaining
to such an extent the love, the esteem, the admiration
of the natives of the country." |
His
tomb is a black granite tombstone, conical in shape,
about 60 m long, 30 m wide and 10 inches high,
is held in great veneration. Less than a kilometer
from here is a French garden where Raymond and
his men
were stationed. Traces of the military barracks
may also still be seen here. An impressive obelisk
of
polished black granite, Raymond's tomb stands on
a hillock to the East of Hyderabad.
Timings: 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Fridays
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