Cambay

Cambay (Khambhát), the port and capital of a small Indian feudatory state of Bombay presidency, lies in the north-west portion of the peninsula, at the head of the Gulf of Cambay, 52 miles S. of Ahmedabad. Portions of its brick wall remain, and many ruins still attest its former magnificence and extent. The main cause of its decay has been the gradual obstruction of its seaward navigation. Its principal articles of export are its agate, cornelian, and onyx ornaments, for the manufacture of which the town is renowned. Pop. 31,390; at one time, 200,000. The area of Cambay state is 350 sq. m.; pop. 89,722, of whom about 15,000, including the Nawab, are Mohammedans.—The Gulf of Cambay, a large inlet about 80 miles long and 25 broad, was formerly a great commercial resort; but the shifting shoals and the high spring-tides (rising and falling 33 feet) are troublesome; and as the gulf is silting up, it is now mostly resorted to by craft of 5 to 10 tons burden.