TONK, a Native State in Rajputana, ruled over by descendants of the famous predatory leader Amir Klutn, the companion in arms of Jeswunt Rao Holkar, who played a conspicuous part in all the dissensions which preceded the British settlement of Malwa. Amir Khan (born 1766) was by connection, habit, and disposition essentially a Pindtui. Begin ll i ll g life as a petty mercenary leader, in 1798 ho had becoine com mander of a large independent army in the service of Holkar in the campaigns against Sindia, the Peshwa, and the British, and in assisting to levy the contributions exacted from Rajputana and 3Ialwa. In 1806, Holkar granted to him the State of Tonk, and he had previously received the district of Sironji. In that year, Amir Khan tmnsferred himself and his army to the raja of Jeypore, then at war with the raja of Jodhpur ; and, after crushing the latter, lie changed sides and reduced the former. Having indiscriminately plundered both countries, he, in 1809, proceeded tho head of 40,000 horsemen (being joined en route by 25,000 Pindaris) against the raja of Nagpur. Ile WAS, however, warned off by the British Government, and, returning to Rajputana, his bands plundered the country. Eventually, in
1817, the Marquis of Hastings offered Amir Khan the sovereignty of all the tracts bestowed on him by Holkar, on condition of MS disbanding his army, which consisted of 52 battalions of disciplined infantry, 150 guns, and a numerous body of Pathan cavalry. In this Ainir Khan acquiesced. His artillery, with the exception of 40 guns, was purchased, and some of his troops enlisted in the British service. The remainder were libemlly tlealt with prior to disbandment, and the fort and district of Rampura werc presented to the nawab by the British Government as a free gift. Amir Khan died in 1834, and was succeeded by his son Wazir Muliainnutd Khan, who did good service in the Mutiny. He died in 1864. He was succeeded by his son Muhammad Ali Khan. In consequence of abetting a treacherous attack on the relatives and followers of one of the chief feudatories of the State, the Thakur of Lawa, Muhammad Ali Khan was deposed by thc British Government in 1867, and his son Muhammad Ibrahim Khan was placed on the inusisittl.—IBIp. ChM