November 16, 2006 Jaipur to Tonk to Jaipur

APRI - Arabic Persian Research Institute, Tonk, Rajasthan

November 16th 2006

Woke up early and had breakfast at Arya Niwas at 7.45 am

8.10 am Left for Tonk with Sarawan Singh for the day trip.

Talked with Sagar, Vijay & Nikhil on the way.

One of the cameras - D70S - reading is 543.

Sarawan Singh driving at 70 kms per hour.

Reached Sunhairi Kothi at 10.40 am.

1817 Nawab Amirandash (check spellings) was the first Nawab. Go to APRI, Chisti Mandi to get more info.

Met with Riazu Hassan (at the school - in Rangeen Kothi - across the Sunhairi Kothi) Instructor Calligraphy, City Office - APRI, Nazarbaug, Tonk, Rajasthan. Tel 01432-247327
Moti Masjid

Met with 2 young girls outside the Sunhairi Kothi - Sanaa and Rosie, they were very intrigued and kept following me while I took pictures of the Kothi from Outside. Very friendly girls and helpful. They probably do not see too many tourists there.

No one is allowed to go inside as it not safe; it is under renovations, which have not yet started. Looks like someone started a bad job on this National Heritage, and the project may have been shut down.

11.30 am We were guided to the staff at Rangeen Kothi to visit APRI next, so leftSunhairi Kothi and Rangeen Kothi for APRI.

11.45 am - Reached APRI.

Met with Tarique Rana, faculty of computer. email : rana_sir@rediffmail.com

Our queries led him to introduce us to Mohd Amir Khan - translator Arabic, Arabic and Persian Research Institute, Tonk, Rajasthan

We also met a gentleman from Nagaur there: Ummed Khan Tonky, Tehsil Didwana, Village Bery Chotti, Dist Naguar, Rajasthan.

We wanted permission to take photos from inside of Sunahairi Kothi etc. and were recommended to contact:

Shri Ashok Shekhar
Govt of Rajasthan
Minister/Secretary
Art & Culture Department
Secretariat - Jaipur, Rajasthan
http://www.apritonk.nic.in/
Phone: 0141-222-7107, Sect Art & Culture
0141-270-6060 Director General JKK

We were at APRI from 11.45 am till 2.25 pm. When we kept asking questions, they kept going back and forth inside to get answers to our queries. Eventually, we were led to a large room where Mr Moid Khan, Director of APRI, was confering with his fellow members. We were requested to remove our shoes and not take any pictures. Mr Khan was sitting on the ground with the others, and as he stood up, he smiled and offered me a sweet, I thanked him but declined as we are both diabetic.

Mr Moid Khan was sceptical initially, but after a long chat in this room, he showed us what actually existed around that room. These were the original manuscripts of Aurangzeb etc, stored in these huge glass cabinets, which one could view from top. He explained that this Institute translates these original manuscripts into many languages and they are also a sister concern of Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad. We had a very detailed discussion on various subjects and we felt very comfortable with each other's thoughts and ideas. He made us feel so comfortable that we felt we had always known him. Mr Khan spent the last 45 minutes with us in his enormous office and offered us tea. Pavan declined as it was sweet, but I had a cup. We left at about 2.25 pm and Mr Khan came out to see off.

Mr Khan left a very good impression on us and we are very thankful to him and his staff for all their time and information. He is doing a very good job in a little known place called "Tonk" in Rajasthan. We would highly recommend others to go and visit APRI and see the original manuscripts - a hidden treasure of knowledge.

We decided to return to Jaipur to eat so we would not spend any more time in Tonk as it was atleast a 2 1/2 hour drive back. Pavan tipped Sarawan Singh Rs 100. The taxi charge for the day was Rs 1500. If one hires the taxi service for 10 days and above, the rate is Rs 1250 per day.

Settled for some snacks at the hotel Arya Niwas, and later shared a Thali at night and Pavan also had veg soup.

After dinner, we viewed the day's work which we had uploaded earlier after our return from Tonk.