A rare gesture of honour by the second Nizam Asaf Jahi II toward the late Michel Joachim Marie Raymond (France, 1755-1798), a French mercenary, a military commander in service and a close friend: this tomb, made of black granite, lies in Saroornagar, east Hyderabad.
Raymond joined the Nizam's services in 1786 as an ordinary soldier. In a short span of twelve years, he worked his way up rapidly, and died as a commander of a 19,000 strong army.
Besides being held in high esteem by the Nizam Raymond also won the admiration of both the Hindus and Muslims; while the Hindus called him Musa Ram, the Muslims called him Musa Rahim.
Historian Malleson has this to say about Raymond: "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 grave, about 60 m. long, 30 m. wide and 10 in. high, is held in great veneration.
Less than a kilometre from here is a French garden where Raymond and his men were stationed. Traces of the military barracks are still seen here.
Schedule: 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Fridays.
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