Tonk

Tonk is known as the 'Lucknow of Rajasthan' and 'Adab Ka Gulshan' owing to the elegance and beauty lent by its mosques and havelis. It is a small village located 95 km south of Jaipur, on National Highway 12 (NH12). Tonk bears the signs of the dynasties that ruled over it.

In the ancient times, Tonk belonged to the reigns of 'Pathan' tribes from Afghanistan. The grandeur of the mansions will give you a glimpse of the luxurious lives of Nawabs and their accumulated wealth. You will also find colonial buildings here, that narrate the times of the British era, when Tonk served as an important administration centre in Rajasthan.

Sights:
Sunehri Kothi:
The main attraction of Tonk is the 19th century Sunehri Kothi or the Golden Mansion, situated near Bada Kuan on Najar Bagh Road. The building seems to be rugged and ordinary from its exteriors but once you have a glimpse of its royal golden colored interiors, it will be confirmed that the mansion is aptly named. Sheesh Mahal, or the glass hall of Sunehri Kothi, will leave you spellbound with the amazing glass and floral work along with exquisite samples of 'Meenakari' work. Government of Rajasthan has declared it as a Historical Place and restoration work is on its upswing.

Jama Masjid:
Another spectacular edifice of Tonk is Jama Masjid, one of the biggest mosques of India. The first Nawab of Tonk, Nawab Amir Khan is credited to commence the mosque's construction work in 1246, which was given its final shape by Nawab Wzirudhoula in 1298. You will be reminded of the Mughal monuments as soon as you see its gigantic entrance gateways. Its interiors are also exquisitely decorated with colored glass, inlay work and floral patterns along with gold decorations.

Arabic and Persian Research Institute:
Those who are on a lookout for ancient Persian and Arabic manuscripts, it is the place to be. The Arabian and Persian Institute houses some of the oldest collection of books and manuscripts in Persian and Arabic, which were studies by the Nawabs. These manuscripts date back to the 12th century.

Hathi Bhata:
A stunning piece of craftsmanship, Hathi Bhata is an elephant structure crafted out of a single rock. This brilliant structure is a creation of the 12th century, as is known from the date engraved on the elephant's right ear. You have to travel 22 km from Tonk on the Ranthambore Road to get to this ancient marvel.

Getting There & Away:
You can easily get to Tonk from Jaipur, as buses from Jaipur to Kota have a stopover at Tonk. While coming back from Ranthambore National Park, at Sawai Madhopur too buses are available for Tonk.