MONSIEUR REYMOND THE MOST LOVED FRENCH GENERAL IN HISTORY OF INDIA

MONSIEUR REYMOND THE MOST LOVED FRENCH GENERAL IN
HISTORY OF INDIA
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
The usual practice in India is to condemn all the Europeans who came to India as merchants and then became masters of the country. Yet, people appreciated and revered some of them who were humane and considerate. The French and the English men fought bitterly for supremacy in India. French concentrated more in South India and most of the battles between East India Company forces and French troops were fought in South India. The regional powers such as Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawabs of Arcot, Marathas and Sultans of Mysore fought each other bitterly for supremacy in the region. They also made alliances between them to fight enemy among them. Marathas, Nizam joined East India Company to fight Tippu sultan of Mysore. The French and the Englishmen took advantage of the situation and helped the regional powers. The European troops had modern and better training in warfare and the regional powers clamored for their support and help. They were employed in service to train and equip their forces. At times, the European armies were required to fight along with the native armies of regional powers.
General Michel Joachim Marie Reymond of French Army was the most loves person in the entire history of India. He was popularly known as Monsieur Reymond. He was born on September 25, 1755 and passed away on March 25, 1798. He was born in Serignac, Gascony in France and his father was a merchant. In 1775, aged 20, he and his younger brother, William Jean Raymond, left for Pondicherry, India. The idea as he told his father, was to set up a merchant shop. Instead, Michel turned to the more exciting career of being 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 Amar-e-Jinsi or controller of Ordnance. An envious British Resident John Kirpatrick did his best to undermine Raymond who had an untimely and tragic end.

He established several cannon and cannon-ball factories. Under his guidance guns, ammunition and cannons were forged. Gun foundry or Top ka Sancha near the Fathe Maidan ( Victory ground) is the best-known of the remaining foundries in India. When he died in March 25, 1798 AD, only twelve years after enlisting, he had become a military commander of over 14,000 men. It is also documented that there may have been a female battalion of soldiers. The cause of Michel Raymond's death will remain a mystery, the two suggested causes are poisoning or suicide.
Raymond became a close friend of the second Asif Jah, Nizam Ali Khan,Nizam II. Raymond 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. While Raymond had left Christianity, his actual religious beliefs were unknown. His Hyderabadi admirers were unsure of whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim. To the Muslims, he was Musa Rahim, and to the Hindus, 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."

After his death, he was laid to rest on a hillock near Asman garh, a castle of the Nizam on hill top at the outskirts of Malakpet in Hyderabad city. The place derived name Moosarama Bagh in the remembrance of the General who was most loved by all.. In Urdu language Bagh is a garden. A tomb was built with a pavilion. It is a tourist spot now. In the olden days till 1950, regularly an Urs ( Celebration) was conducted at the place on the day of his passing away. Tombs of his pet dog and loved horse are also located in the same place . Until some time ago, people visited his tomb on the anniversary of his death, taking incense and other offerings to him. The Nizams would send to his tomb on March 25 every year, a box of cheroots and a bottle of beer.
India has many historical places of great importance and there are thousands of forts and memorials throughout India. Some are well maintained while many are subjected to negligence by the state. All such places are national treasure and sadly this aspect has been forgotten by the respective state and central government and people too. With passage of time Reymonds tomb has been surrounded by residential areas and the place now can not be seen unless one goes near to it. There was a time when it could be seen from the road or some high ground. It is a protected monument today and it was renovated in 2002 by the government with great pains and sadly it has become a den of boozers, alcoholics and anti social elements. The official guard is seldom seen at the place. Although the place is repaired occasionally by the state much is needed to be done at he place making it secure and safe. Although the General passed away long ago, his memories are eternal and his contribution to Hyderabad was immense. He was the most loved and respected European in history of India. His tomb proudly reflects the friendship between France and India. The annual Urs is also likely to be revived as per sources bringing old glory to the place..