Dimdima
Online Children's Magazine from India
Dimdima
Online Children's Magazine from India
Location: Moosaram Bagh (behind T.V. Tower)
Visit any day; No entry fee
State Archeological Dept.
Raymond’s Tomb is a black granite tombstone, conical in shape, about 7 metres high and it has the initials JR on it. The pavilion was built by the Nizam and collapsed in October 2001 in heavy rain. The 200 year-old tomb had a face lift and got a brand new pavilion. An estimated Rs500,000 was spent to renovate the pavilion.
Raymond is also remembered in Hyderabad, with the area called Mussa Ram Bagh (Monsieur Raymond).
Michel Joachim Marie Raymond 1755 - 1798) popularly known as Monsieur Raymond was a French General in Nizam's military and the founder of Gunfoundry in Hyderabad.He was born on 25th of September 1755 in Sérignac, Gascony, France He was the son of a merchant.
In 1775 at the age of 20 he and his younger brother William Jean Raymond left for Pondicherry, India. The idea as he told his father, was to set up a merchant shop. Instead, he turned to the more exciting career of being a soldier. He first served under French General Bussy, but it was in 1786 that Michel joined the service of the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad. He began as any other soldier, shortly after he was given 300 soldiers to command.
In 1796, Raymond was appointed Amin Jinsi or Comptroller of Ordnance. He established several cannon and cannon-ball factories. Under his expert guidance guns, ammunition and cannons were forged. Gunfoundry or Top ka Sancha behind Lepakshi Emporium is one of his best foundries remaining.
The area is also known as Gunfoundry.
When Raymond died on the 25th of March 1798, aged 43, just twelve years after joining, he was a military commander of over 14,000 men who were divided among 124 European soldiers. It is documented that there may have been a female battalion of soldiers as well. The cause of Michel's death was never found, some believed that it was suicide, and others believed he was poisoned. The popular local belief is he committed suicide after the Nizam joined forces with the British.
Michel became a close friend of the second Asif Jah, Nizam Ali Khan. Michel was not only held in high esteem by the Nizam, but had also won the love and trust of the local people. He made himself popular through his kindness, bravery and contribution to Hyderabad. To the Muslim's he was Musa Rahim and to the Hindu's he was Musa Ram. George Bruce Malleson said that "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."
My Experience and Opinion :
I visited Raymond’s Tomb and Gunfoundry with my teacher, Mrs. Anitha. I came to know the significance of the above places for the first time.
Raymond’s Tomb is located on a hill top. We can get a good view of the most parts of the city from the spot.The place is scerenic and many plants are growing on the slopes of the hill.There is a huge, old tree growing on the hill top.The area on the hill near the tomb is being maintained well. The attempt has been made to rennovate the place.
The people living in the vicinity dump the garbage in the premises. Local people trespass the area.
A high compound wall and a sturdy gate, a beautiful garden will make the place attractive. The right way to continue to pay homage to the great soldier who left his home and served the as a commander in the Nizams Army. It is our duty to preserve the Heritage Sites.
I got a good opportunity to visit Raymond’s Tomb and Gunfoundry which are the Heritage Sites.
I came to know the service rendered by Raymond and his popularity among the locals of those times.
By
S. J. Chitra
B.V.B.P.SCHOOL. Jubilee Hills. Hyderabad.
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