Cambay

Cambay, also known as Khambhat, is a town and municipal corporation in Anand district, Gujarat, India. It lies on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat, a major inlet of the Arabian Sea, and is one of the historic ports of western India. The name Cambay appears in many historical and European sources; the contemporary Gujarati name for the town is Khambhat.

Historically, Cambay has functioned as a regional and international trading center. Its natural harbor supported maritime commerce across the Indian Ocean, connecting traders from the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, and Southeast Asia with inland markets. The city is referenced in accounts from ancient and medieval periods and has been part of various Indian polities as well as encounters with European merchants in the early modern era.

In the present day, Cambay is part of a commercial region in Gujarat. The local economy includes fishing, small-scale manufacturing, and services, with road and rail links to Ahmedabad and other major cities in the state. The Gulf of Khambhat itself remains a notable geographic feature that influences shipping and regional activities.