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Raymond’s tomb lies in neglect
An 18th century obelisk built in memory of French General Monsieur Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, a symbol of city\'s French connection and composite culture, is yet to be restored to its pristine glory.
Hyderabad: An 18th century obelisk built in memory of French General Monsieur Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, a symbol of city's French connection and composite culture, is yet to be restored to its pristine glory.
The French general (1755-1798) is not only remembered for modernising and providing teeth to the Nizam's artillery by setting up the first gun foundry, but for endearing himself to the natives.
He was held in high esteem and when he died at the age of 43 years under mysterious circumstances, the Nizam decreed a lofty conical tomb atop a hillock east of Hyderabad.
Raymond at the age of 20 in 1755 along with his brother William Jean Raymond reached Pondicherry to set up a merchant shop, but joined army. Soon he had become a military commander for infantry. In the year 1796 Raymond was appointed as Amar-e-Jinsi (Comptroller of Ordnance). Raymond is the founder of Gunfoundry (Top-ka sancha), and several other cannonball factories in Hyderabad. He died on 25 March 1798.
Nizam had allocated land to built tomb for Raymond. The obelisk was constructed on a hillock near Moosarambagh. The obelisk is a cone like structure, seven-metre tall black granite tombstone with "JR" engraved on it.
Though as much as 30 acres was allotted for the tomb, it now spread over just six acres. Nizam chose this place because Raymond was much familiar to the locals here. Hindus called him Musa Ram and Muslims as Musa Rahim. Later the area became Monsieur Raymond as Moosarambagh (Musa Ram Bagh).
Poor maintenance of the tomb led to collapse of the pavilion in 2001. On the death anniversary of Raymond, Nizam used to offer cheroots and wine till 1940.
“I along with my friends come up to the tomb. My forefathers used to say the 28 pillars there on the pavilion resembled the particulars of land allotted to obelisk,” said Madhu a resident of Asmangarh.
“We have no idea what promises were made by officials in the past. We have appointed two watchmen to protect the obelisk. We have no idea of promise made by Managing Director of Metro Rail N V S Reddy that it would be developed as tourist spot,” said Dr D Ramulu Naik, Assistant Director, Telangana Museums, while talking to to The Hans India reporter.
By: Singireddy Manoj
