Raymond's tomb is the tomb of

Michel Joachim Marie Raymond General Michel Joachim Marie Raymond (25 September 1755 – 25 March 1798), popularly known as Monsieur Raymond, was a French General in Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II's military and the founder of Gunfoundry, Hyderabad State, Hyderabad. He was born ...

, a French general in the army of the 2nd Nizam of

Hyderabad State Hyderabad State () was a princely state in the Deccan region of south-central India with its capital at the city of Hyderabad. It is now divided into the present-day state of Telangana, the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka, and the ...

Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II Mir Nizam Ali Khan Siddiqi, Asaf Jah II (7 March 1734 – 6 August 1803) was the 5th Nizam of Hyderabad State between 1762 and 1803. He was born on 7 March 1734 as fourth son to Asaf Jah I and Umda Begum. His official name is ''Asaf Jah II, Niz ...

. The tomb, located today in Hyderabad, India is a black granite tombstone, conical, about 7 metres high and it has the initials JR on it. The pavilion was built by the

Nizam Nizam of Hyderabad was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad State ( part of the Indian state of Telangana, and the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka). ''Nizam'' is a shortened form of (; ), and was the title bestowed upon Asaf Jah I ...

and collapsed in October 2001 in heavy rain. Raymonds

Location

The tomb is located near

Asman Garh Palace Asman Garh Palace located in Malakpet, a suburb of Hyderabad, was a palace belonging to the Paigahs of Hyderabad State. The palace was declared a heritage structure by INTACH. ''Asman'' means "sky", and ''Garh'' means "home", since the palace ...

on top of a hillock at Tirumala Hills, 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. The Nizams would send to his tomb on 25 March every year, a box of cheroots and a bottle of beer. His grave had become like a shrine. He is also remembered in Hyderabad, with the area called Mussa Ram Bagh (Monsieur Raymond). This Obelisk also offers a beautiful view of the Old city of Hyderabad.

Damage and restoration

The tomb has suffered a long period of neglect. During heavy rains in October 2001, the pavilion collapsed. It was rebuilt and the entire area was given a facelift. It was opened to public on 14 April 2003 this cost an estimated ₹ 500,000.

References

{{reflist Hyderabad State Monuments and memorials in Hyderabad, India Mausoleums in Telangana