Tonk district is an administrative district in the south-eastern part of the state of Rajasthan in India. The town of Tonk serves as the district headquarters. The district lies in the Banas river basin and is part of the Ajmer division.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Division | Ajmer |
| Headquarters | Tonk |
| Region | South-eastern Rajasthan |
| Major river | Banas |
| Official language | Hindi |
Tonk district lies on the border between the eastern plains and the south-eastern plateau region of Rajasthan. The Banas river and its tributaries, including the Khari and the Mashi, drain much of the district. The terrain is largely a mix of alluvial plains and low hills, with agriculture forming the dominant land use. The district shares boundaries with Jaipur, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bundi and Sawai Madhopur districts.
The town of Tonk was the seat of the former princely state of Tonk, established in the early 19th century under Mohammad Amir Khan, a Pindari leader who received the territory by treaty with the British in 1817. Tonk was the only Muslim-ruled princely state in Rajputana. Following Indian independence and the integration of princely states, Tonk became part of the United State of Rajasthan in 1948 and subsequently of the present state of Rajasthan.
The princely capital developed a notable tradition of Islamic scholarship, calligraphy and manuscript collection. The Maulana Azad Arabic Persian Research Institute at Tonk holds a significant collection of Arabic and Persian manuscripts.
The district is divided into several tehsils and sub-divisions for revenue and administrative purposes. Major towns and tehsil centres include Tonk, Deoli, Malpura, Niwai, Todaraisingh, Uniara and Peeplu. The district is administered by a District Collector, while law and order is overseen by a Superintendent of Police. Panchayati Raj functions are coordinated through the Zila Parishad.
The economy of Tonk district is predominantly agricultural. Major crops include wheat, mustard, barley, gram, bajra, jowar and groundnut. The Bisalpur Dam on the Banas river, located within the district, is an important source of irrigation as well as drinking water supply for parts of Rajasthan, including the city of Jaipur. Small-scale industries include cotton ginning, oilseed processing, and traditional crafts such as namda (felt) work, leather goods and embroidery associated with the town of Tonk.
The district has a mixed Hindu and Muslim population, reflecting its history as a former princely state with a Muslim ruling family. Hindi and Rajasthani dialects, particularly Dhundhari and Hadoti varieties, are spoken in different parts of the district, alongside Urdu, which has a strong literary tradition in Tonk town.
Tonk is connected by National Highway 52, which links Kota with Jaipur and passes through the district. State highways connect the district headquarters with surrounding districts. The nearest major railway junctions and airports are at Jaipur and Ajmer.