New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s3.3

v3.c37.s3.3

3. Raymond born on 20 September 1755, came out to Pondicherry for trade in 1775 and first enlisted under Haidar Ali, and in 1785 transferred his services to Nizam Ali, working on the same lines as De Boigne's in Sindia's service. He trained for Nizam Ali a force of 20 battalions of infantry, that is, about 15 thousand men with an efficient park of artillery. He had about 124 European Officers under him and received for his expenses an assignment of separate districts yielding 52 lacs a year. He served his master faithfully and acquitted himself creditably on the field of Kharda, the Nizam's defeat on that day being in no way due to him. That battle place on 11th March 1795 and in June next Nizam Ali's son Alijah rebelled against him declaring himself independent at Bidar. Nizam Ali entrusted Raymond with the task of defeating his son and taking him alive. Alijah was hunted from place to place and captured by Raymond. While he was being taken to Haidarabad on an elephant, he swallowed poison and put an end to his life (September 1795). Raymond was in close touch with the revolutionary regime in France and entertained the ambition of restoring French influence in India. Wellesley arrived as Governor General, and at once sensed severe danger to British power from this capable French soldier at the Court of Haidarabad.