PORBANDAR

town, Junagadh district, Gujarat state, west central India, on the Arabian Sea. The birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, it was controlled by the Jethwa Rajputs from about the 16th century. Porbandar was the capital of the former princely state of Porbandar (1785-1948) before it became a district. It is famous for its building stone, and it also produces a variety of manufactures. The town is served by major highways, is a railway terminus, and has an airport. Pop. (1981) town, 118,646; metropolitan area, 136,184.