Hyderabad: The over two-centuries-old obelisk at the tomb of Monsieur Raymond, the legendary French adventurer and military commander with Nizam II, and other structures at Moosaram Bagh in Hyderabad are getting a facelift.
Beside Raymond’s tomb are the resting place of his faithful dog and horse. Lack of security has put the monument on sprawling a six-acre site in danger and it is frequented by anti-social elements.
A rare memorial for a foreign national in the country, the monument was damaged several times since it was constructed by the Nizam. A part of the pavilion collapsed in heavy rain in 2001 and was restored.
It continued to remain in neglect till the state department of archaeology and museums got funds under the 13th Finance Commission and began restoration work, costing Rs 48 lakh, in phases.
“We have restored the monument to a large extent. It’s a rare obelisk, a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument. Director of Archaeology and Museums N.R. Vishalatchy took up the work in a big way,” said Mohd Raheem Shah Ali, deputy director, engineering.
According to consulting engineer Azeem Osman, the tomb and other structures were in a bad shape. “We cleaned the place, constructed a new compound wall, railings and a walkway and repaired other structures. It took six months,” said Mr Osman.
According to legend, till 1940 the Nizam used to send wine, bread and cheroots to mark Raymond’s death anniversary. Raymond, the son of a merchant, was born on September 25, 1755, at Seri Gnse, Gascony, France. He set sail at the age of 20 and reached Puducherry, then a French colony.
When Puducherry fell to the British in 1778, he joined the army of Hyder Ali in Mysore. When Ali died in 1785, he joined the French corps under Basalat Jung, the Nizam’s brother. After the corps was disbanded, Raymond joined Nizam Ali Khan, the second Nizam of Hyderabad, and became his favourite. He died on March 25, 1798, at the age of 43, already a legend in his lifetime.
From 300 soldiers, he built an army of 14,000 and set up the gun foundry. The area still bears the name — near what later became Abid Road, making the finest guns, muskets and pistols. He was made the “amir-e-jinsi” (controller of ordnance).
Raymond’s humane touch and generosity earned accolades from both Hindus and Muslims who treated him a saint, calling him Musa Ram and Musa Rahim.
