The Surviving 18th Century Gunfoundry | Established by French General Raymond
Michel Joachim Marie Raymond entered the service of Nizam Ali Khan in the late 18th century and became one of the most prominent European officers in the Hyderabad State. Raymond developed a French-trained military corps and was associated with the establishment of ordnance facilities, including gunfoundries, for the Nizam's forces. Historical sources also associate his military establishment with the manufacture of guns and other weapons. Raymond's role was that of a military commander and organiser rather than simply that of a modern industrial engineer.
Raymond's French-trained corps used symbols associated with the political and military culture of revolutionary France. Historical accounts record the use of the Cap of Liberty among the French revolutionary symbolism associated with his troops. This provides evidence of French political and military influence within Raymond's Hyderabad establishment, although it should not by itself be treated as proof that he intended to reproduce the entire ideological programme of the French Revolution in Hyderabad.
The Gunfoundry was established in 1786 CE during the Asaf Jahi period and is associated with Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, who served Nizam Ali Khan. Historical accounts also place Raymond's cannon-casting activity at the site in the 1780s. The monument is regarded as the only surviving 18th-century gunfoundry in the former Hyderabad State. Its original brick walls were approximately 50 feet high, with a tapered portion beginning above 25 feet. Lime mortar was used as the binding material, while the surviving walls and ground-level structures include brick-and-mortar arches and kiln-like spaces associated with the original industrial complex.
Raymond died on 25 March 1798, aged 42. His tomb, built of black granite, stands on a hillock in the Moosarambagh/Malakpet area of Hyderabad, historically associated with the name Mussa Ram Bagh. The monument has long been remembered as a place where people from Hyderabad paid their respects to the Frenchman who became part of the city's history. Local traditions have associated his death anniversary with the lighting of incense at the tomb.
The French Garden is associated with the heritage landscape surrounding Raymond's military establishment at Moosarambagh. Accounts of Raymond's Hyderabad establishment connect the area with the French-trained troops who served under him. The surviving historic landscape, together with Raymond's Tomb and other Raymond-associated sites, helps illustrate the military presence that developed around his establishment.
The small gun park in the vicinity of the Telangana State Assembly building contains historic artillery pieces associated with Hyderabad's military heritage. Such displays provide a tangible reminder of the importance of cannon manufacture and ordnance during the Asaf Jahi period. Individual claims that particular guns were personally cast by Raymond should be treated cautiously unless their provenance is documented by the heritage authorities.
On 31 January 2017, Mr. K. Padmanabha, then Deputy Director of Archaeology and Museums, stated that tourists could visit the site by obtaining the keys from the department. He explained that the premises were being kept locked because visitors had been throwing garbage and damaging the facade. This statement documents the access arrangement at that time. Because access arrangements and conservation conditions can change, visitors should confirm current access with the relevant Heritage or Archaeology authorities before visiting.
The Gunfoundry is commonly dated to 1786 CE. However, historical accounts are not completely uniform about the precise chronology of Raymond's cannon-casting activities, with some sources placing casting activity in 1787–1788. The exact day and month of establishment are not definitively recorded.
What is important: The evidence supports an 18th-century establishment, and 1786 is the date most consistently cited in modern historical accounts for the Gunfoundry known as Top ka Sancha.
Raymond is widely credited with establishing and developing the Gunfoundry and other ordnance facilities for the Nizam's army. However, the surviving evidence does not justify portraying him as the sole craftsman or builder of every part of the complex.
What is often omitted: Military foundries of the period depended on specialised workers and craftsmen. Raymond's documented role is best understood as that of a military commander and organiser who established and supervised an important ordnance capability, while the precise contributions of individual European and Indian craftsmen are not fully documented.
The Gunfoundry is a protected monument, but the surviving complex represents only part of the historic foundry. The site has experienced deterioration and loss of historic fabric over time.
What is important: The monument has been included in more recent heritage-conservation discussions and proposals. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe the site as a protected monument that has suffered deterioration and requires continuing conservation rather than simply stating that its present condition is undocumented.
Despite uncertainties concerning some details of its construction and the precise division of labour at the foundry, the historical significance of the Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry and Raymond is well established.
It is widely regarded as the only surviving 18th-century gunfoundry in the former Hyderabad State, and it represents an important chapter in the history of French military influence, ordnance manufacture and state formation in the Deccan. Raymond's Gunfoundry, tomb and associated heritage sites together preserve the memory of a French commander who became deeply embedded in Hyderabad's local historical tradition.
Chronology & Milestones
Places Associated with Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry
Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry (Abids / Fateh Maidan area, Hyderabad) – The historic cannon-manufacturing site commonly dated to 1786 and associated with Raymond. It is a protected monument with historically restricted access.
Raymond's Tomb (Moosarambagh, Malakpet) – The black granite tomb of Raymond, who died on 25 March 1798. The monument has undergone restoration, including major work reported in 2016.
French Garden (Moosarambagh area) – A heritage location associated with the historical landscape surrounding Raymond's military establishment and tomb.
Small Gun Park (near the Telangana State Assembly building) – A display area containing historic artillery associated with Hyderabad's military heritage; individual provenance should be verified separately.
Visitor Information – Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry
Address: Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry, Basheer Bagh / Abids area, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500001.
Access: Restricted as a protected heritage monument; current arrangements should be confirmed before visiting.
To visit: Contact the relevant Department of Heritage / Archaeology and Museums authorities regarding current access.
Raymond's Tomb Address: Moosarambagh, Malakpet, Hyderabad – 500035.
French Garden: Current public access should be confirmed locally.
Best Time to Visit: October–March, when Hyderabad's weather is generally more pleasant.
Nearest Metro: Assembly Station for the Gunfoundry area; Musarambagh Station for Raymond's Tomb.
- Gunfoundry: Exterior viewing may be possible from the surrounding public roads, while interior access should be arranged with the relevant heritage authorities.
- Raymond's Tomb: Check current opening and conservation arrangements before visiting.
- The French Garden: Verify current access and condition locally before planning a visit.
- Small Gun Park: Located in the vicinity of the Assembly building; individual cannon provenance should not be assumed without documentation.
- Combine with nearby attractions: St. Joseph's Cathedral, historic Basheer Bagh landmarks and the Telangana State Assembly complex are among the nearby heritage locations.
- Note: Much of the original Gunfoundry has been lost over time. The surviving walls and structures are protected heritage remains and should be treated with care.
Summary – The Surviving 18th Century Gunfoundry
The Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry, also known as Top ka Sancha, is a surviving 18th-century cannon-manufacturing site in Hyderabad associated with the French military commander Michel Joachim Marie Raymond. The Gunfoundry is commonly dated to 1786 CE, with historical accounts also placing Raymond's cannon-casting activities there in the late 1780s. Raymond served Nizam Ali Khan and became known locally as "Musa Rahim" and "Musa Ram".
The Gunfoundry is widely regarded as the only surviving 18th-century gunfoundry in the former Hyderabad State. Its original brick walls were approximately 50 feet high, with a tapered section beginning above 25 feet. Although much of the original complex has disappeared, the surviving brick-and-mortar structures preserve an important record of Hyderabad's military and industrial history.
Raymond died in Hyderabad on 25 March 1798. His black granite tomb at Moosarambagh, Malakpet, remains another important reminder of his place in the city's history. A portion of the tomb pavilion collapsed after heavy rain in 2001, followed by restoration, including a major facelift reported in 2016. The Gunfoundry itself remains a protected heritage monument, with access historically restricted and conservation continuing to be an important concern.
- Department of Heritage Telangana – Gunfoundry Monument
- Deccan Chronicle – Key to Gunfoundry is the Biggest Mystery (1 February 2017)
- The Hindu – The French connection that endures (May 2018)
- HYD.co.in – Raymond's Tomb: A French General's Legacy in Hyderabad
- Wikipedia – Michel Joachim Marie Raymond
📌 Note: The Gunfoundry is commonly dated to 1786, although historical accounts differ on some details of Raymond's cannon-casting chronology. The precise division of labour in the foundry and the provenance of individual surviving cannons are not fully documented. Current access and conservation conditions should be confirmed with the relevant heritage authorities.