Michel Joachim Marie Raymond

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General Michel Joachim Marie Raymond (b. 25 September 1755 - d. 25 March 1798), popularly known as "Monsieur Raymond", was a French General in Nizam's military and the founder of Gunfoundry in Hyderabad. He was born in Sérignac, Gascony, France, the son of a merchant.

1 Adventures
2 Respect
3 Raymond's Tomb
4 External links
5 References & Sources

[edit] Adventures

In 1775, aged 20, he and his younger brother, William Jean Raymond, left for Pondicherry, India. They told their father that they were going to set up a merchant shop, however Michel soon turned to becoming 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 guidance guns, ammunition and cannons were forged. Gunfoundry or Top ka Sancha near the Fathe Maidan is the best-known of the remaining foundries.

When he died on the 25 March 1798, aged 42, he had become, only twelve years after enlisting, a military commander of over 14,000 men.

The cause of Michel Raymond's death was never established. The popular local belief is he committed suicide after the Nizam joined forces with the British.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Respect

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."

[edit] Raymond's Tomb

Michel Raymond's tomb is a black granite tombstone, conical in shape, about 7 metres high and it has the initials JR on it. The ill-maintained 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. This was showcased before senior officials of the tourism and archaeology departments and other invited guests on 14 April 2003. An estimated Rs500,000 was spent to renovate the pavilion.

The tomb is located near Asmangadh fort on top of a hillock at Mussa Ram Bagh, Malakpet, about 3 km from the Oliphant Bridge (currently known as Chaderghat Bridge), in East Hyderabad. Until about 1940, people would visit his tomb on the anniversary of his death, taking incense and other offerings to him. His grave had become like a shrine. He is also remembered in Hyderabad, with the area called Mussa Ram Bagh (Monsieur Raymond).