Situated on the right bank of river Banas, Tonk is renowned for its old havelis and mosques. Tonk is famous as ‘city of melons‘ and has been called as ‘Rajasthan ka Lucknow’, ‘Adab ka Gulshan’, ‘Shreerani ki Nagri’, ‘Meethe Kharboojo ka Chaman’, and ‘Hindu Muslim Ekta ka Maskan’ .
History of Tonk
The history of Tonk is very old as it is connected with Bairath culture. It was known as SAMWAD LAKSHYA in Mahabharat period. The region was under mauryas then it was merged in to Malvas. Later most of the region was part of Harsh Vardhan empire.
In the regime of Rajputs, the parts of this state were under Chavras, Solankis, Kachvahs, Sisodiyas and Chouhans. Later during Mughal period, Jaipur’s King Man Singh conquered Tari & Tokra Janpad in the regime of Akbar. In 1643 twelve village of Tokra janpad were given to Bhola Brahmin. Later Bhola gave a name to these twelve villages as ‘Tonk’.
Later, it was under the regime of King Holkar and Sindhia. In 1806, Amir Khan conqurred it from Balvant Rao Holkar. Later, British government gained it from Amir Khan. As per the treaty of 1817, British government returned it to Amir Khan.ON 25th March 1948, when Nawab Mohd. Ismile Ali Khan was the ruler; Tonk was merged in to Rajasthan including an area of Tonk and Aligarh Tehsils of old Tonk State Newai. Malpura, Toda Raisingh and Uniara of Jaipur State, Deoli of Ajmer, Marwar and 27 villages of Bundi.
Geography of Tonk
Tonk district has the shape of kite or rhombus with its eastern and western sides bending some what inward and the south-eastern portion protruding between Sawai Madhopur and Bundi districts. The district is flat at a general elevation of about 214.32 meters above sea level with rocky but scrubby hills.
The district mainly comprises a flat peneplain with thick alluvium cover. The Rajkot Baneta hills in the eastern part of Rajmahal- Toda Raisingh ridge in the southern part of the district with isolated hills, Tordi and Chansen are the main hill ranges of district.
Banas is the only perennial river which flows through the district. It enters Tonk district at Negdia in Deoli Tehsil and from this place it takes serpentine course.
Manshi the principal tributary of Banas travels along the borders of Jaipur and Tonk district between the Tehsils of Malpura and Phagi unitl it turns south to join the Banas at Galod village. The Sohadra is another important river as it feeds the Tordi sagar Tank, the biggest irigation tank in Rajasthan. It joins Mashi near village Dundia and thereafter meets, Banas River near village Galod. Other small river are khari, Daian , Bandi and Galwa which join Banas and Mashi river at Negdia , Bisalpur , Chaturpura and Chouth-ka-Barwara respectively.
Location, Area & Administration:
The district of Tonk is located between latitudes 25°42′ to 26°34′ and longitudes 75°07′ to 76°19′. It is bounded in north by Jaipur district, in the east by Sawai Madhopur district and in the south by Bundi, Kota and Bhilwara districts. The district has an area of 7194 Sq. kms. and comprises six tehsils namely, Malpura, Niwai, Deoli, Tonk, Uniara and Toda Rajsingh.
Natural Resources of Tonk:
Tonk district is known on the mineral map of the state for its important occurrences of garnet and aquamarine. Other important mineral occurrences of the district are silica sand, mica, andalusite, corundum, soapstone and building stones.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is one of the semiprecious varieties of beryl with sea-green to greenish blue in colour and transparent in nature. The occurrences of aquamarine are found near Toda Raisingh, Bagre, Rampura, Jhonparia, Botunda, Tharel and Hamirpur areas. It is found within or at the contact of pegmatite with the schist.
Garnet
Tonk district enjoyed top position in Rajasthan in the production of gem garnet. The almandine variety of gem garnet is found between Rajmahal and Kalyanpura through Bisalpur. Many of the garnet quarries now fall into the catchment area of Bisalpur Dam.
Population
According to the 2011 census Tonk district has a population of 1,421,711. The district has a population density of 198 inhabitants per square kilometer. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.33%. Tonk has a sex ratio of 949 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 62.46%.
Tonk Map
How to reach:
By Air:
- Jaipur Sanganer Airport is the nearest airport and is well connected to all the major cities of the country. From the airport, one can avail cab or bus services to reach this town.
By Rail:
- The nearest major railway station is Banasthali-Newai, about 35 km away, from where passenger trains can be boarded to reach the Bhanwar Tonk Railway Station.
By Road:
- Tonk is well-connected by roads. Rajasthan Tourism provides regular bus services that run through major tourist cities and nearby towns.
The Best Time To Visit
- The best time to visit this magnificent town is between the months of October to March.