Tonk district is famous as the `Nawabi Nagari` not only in Rajasthan but also all over India for its historical legends. Tonk has been called Rajasthan ka Lucknow, Adab ka Gulshan, Romantic poet Akhtar Shreerani ki Nagri, Meethe Kharboojo ka Chaman and Hindu Muslim Ekta ka Maskan. It was a result of this secular nature that Tonk could keep an isolated status in Rajasthan. During the regime of Nawabs all the natives were invited to the Islamic function of Miladdunabi without any distinction of caste, colour and creed. The district represents a vision of communal harmony and intermingling of the races. Further details of the district are furnished below.
Location of Tonk District
It is situated on National Highway No. 12 at a distance of 100 kms from Jaipur. It is located in the North- Eastern part of the state of Rajasthan between 75 degrees 19 minutes and 76 degrees 16 minutes East longitude and 25 degrees 41 minutes and 26 degrees 24 minutes North Latitude. The total area of the district is 7194 sq kms. It is surrounded by 5 districts i.e. in the north by Jaipur district, in the South by Bundi district and Bhilwara district, in the East by Ajmer district and in the West by Sawai Madhopur district.
History of Tonk District
As per the history, Jaipur`s King Man Singh conquered Tari and Tokra Janpad in the regime of Akbar. In 1643, twelve village of Tokra janpad were given to Bhola Brahmin. Later, Bhola named these twelve villages as `Tonk`.The history of Tonk is very old as it is connected with Bairath culture and civilization. The first founder ruler of Tonk was Nawab Mohammed Amir Khan. It was known as Samwad Lakshya in the Mahabharata period. Following its rule as a part of the Maurya Empire, it was merged into the Malvas. A large part of the region was under Harsha Vardhan. During the regime of the Rajputs>, parts of this state were under the Chavras, Solankis, Kachvahs, Sisodiyas and Chauhan dynasty. Later, it was under the regime of King Holkar and Sindhia. In 1806, Amir Khan conquered it from Balvant Rao Holkar. Later, the British government gained it from Amir Khan. It was finally returned to Amir Khan as per the treaty of 1817.
Administration of Tonk District
District Collector and District Magistrate is at the head of District Administration in Tonk. There is only one Additional District Magistrate sitting at the District Headquarters. The District Tonk has 7 subdivisions. There are 7 Subdivisional Officers working at the Sub Divisions. There are 7 Tehsil Headquarters in Tonk District and each one has a Tehsildar as an administrative Officer who works in accordance with the Land Records System. Two Sub tehsils are headed by Naib tehsildars. There are Six Panchayat samitis and each one is headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO). There is only one Nagar parishad and five Nagar Palikas in Tonk District
Economy of Tonk district
The district of Tonk is mainly agriculture based, and animal husbandry constitutes the main occupation of the people. Tonk district is quite backward in terms of industries. The state Government office of District Industries is working hard to promote the small, medium-scale and handicrafts industries in the district. The RIICO and Khadi gramodyog offices are also working side-by-side in order to try and provide land to industries. Six RIICO industrial areas are working in Tonk, Newai, Malpura and Deoli Tehsil, and about 600 acres of land have been acquired for industrial purposes. The slate stone industry is fully developed in the district. Based on Slate stone some other industries like quartz grinding, PCC Poles and RCC Pipes are also in operation. Among the other industries developing in the district are readymade garments, engineering works, tyre retrading, woollen carpets, tomato ketchup, animal breeding and washing shop industries. Items exported from the district include slate stone and state tiles, cotton durrih, galicha, namda, readymade garments and ball bearings.
Tourism in Tonk District
There are a number of tourist attractions offered by the district of Tonk. Most of the places located here are of great historical worth and have each one of the monuments and site located here has a story to tell. The Jama masjid found here is one of the biggest and most beautiful masjids in all of India. Other popular tourist attractions include the Sunahari Kothi, Hathi Bhata, Rajamahal, Bisalpur, Rasiya ke Tekri etc.
