Final answer:
Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata are significant mainland Indian port cities, but do not serve as capitals for this union territory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not Chennai, Mumbai, or Kolkata, but rather Port Blair. This part of India is geographically detached from the mainland and thus has its own local capital. While other cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata are significant port cities that have been historical centers for colonial administration and trade, Port Blair serves as the administrative capital for this specific union territory.
The historical context of these major cities, such as Chennai being a port access to southern India, Kolkata the port for the Ganges and then the colonial capital until 1912, and Mumbai evolving as the economic center of India, highlights their importance on the mainland. However, their relevance to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is based on their roles within the broader Indian context. Port Blair, on the other hand, is distinctly relevant to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands themselves. The capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair, not Chennai, Kolkata or Mumbai, which are mainland port cities with their own unique roles in India's historical and economic development.