Lack of security haunts French general’s historic Tomb

Raymond's Tomb in Malakpet lacks CCTV surveillance, leaving the historic site vulnerable to unsocial elements at night. Despite past beautification efforts, locals demand stricter security for the 10-acre area where French general Monsieur Raymond is buried

Hyderabad: The Monsieur Raymond Obelisk at Malakpet awaits a proper electronic surveillance system as the ill-equipped security guards battle the unsocial elements who throng the place after dusk.

The Department of Heritage, Telangana, which manages the affairs of the place of historic importance, seems to have failed to keep pace with times and install closed-circuit cameras to safeguard the premises.

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As a result, unsocial elements are entering the vast 10-acre field where Monsieur Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, a French general in the army of the Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II lies buried.

The Raymond’s Tomb is located on the hilltop of Moosarambagh overlooking the Malakpet–Dilsukhnagar road. The government had taken up beautification works at the place a few years ago to attract visitors and the gates were changed, iron mesh fencing was done and walkways were created to prevent encroachments and provide local residents space for morning walks.

However, after nightfall, the place turns into a hub of unsocial elements, lament the locals. “During daytime, the gates are locked and only after ascertaining the visitor, the gates are opened,” complained Arvind Goud, a local resident.

A security guard is posted during the day. “After nightfall, the security guard leaves for home after locking the gates. The unsocial elements enter into the compound from the backside where the fence was damaged and make merry. We spot them moving within the premises at night, creating a fear in the local residents,” alleged Mohan Rao, another local resident.

The residents demand the government immediately install surveillance cameras in the premises to deter the entry of unsocial elements.

According to historians, Raymond was sent to Hyderabad around 1780s by the French from Madras to take over the French troops based in Hyderabad State. He was from Gascony and landed in the French port at Pondicherry in 1775, after which he went to Mysore and worked in Mysore State.

While working under a French commander named De Bussy, Raymond was sent to Hyderabad around 1786. He worked with Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II and due to his works, he was bestowed with some elegant titles like ‘Dragon of War’, ‘Bravest in the State’, among others.

According to legend, in March 1798, he shot and buried his two dogs and horse, then killed himself. His grave was marked with an obelisk, behind which there is a beautiful pavilion.