BAROACH', BROACH, or DIARUCII, a large t. of British India, in the province of Bombay. It is situated on an elevated mound, supposed to be artificial, on the n. bank of the Nerbudda. The Nerbudda is here a noble river, 2 in. wide even at ebb tide, but shallow, and the navigable channel winding and difficult even at high water. It abounds in fine fish. B. is a very ancient town; it is supposed to be the Baryguzu of Arrian. Iltuated in the midst of a most fertile district, it was formerly a very flourishing town, with a large population; but fell, iu consequence of political troubles, into decay. It has of late begun to recover prosperity, and its commerce is ipereasing. Its present pop. is estimated at 15,000, within the walls; but including the suburbs, which are extensive, the pop. in 1872 was 36,063.. B. belonged to the Mussulman kingdom of Guzerat, on the overthrow of which by the emperor Akbar, it was assigned to a petty nawab; and falling under the dominion of the Peishwa, was taken by the British in 1772, ceded to Scindiali in 1783, in acknowledgment of the kind treatment of some British prisoners; and again stormed by a British force in 1803, siuce which date it has remained in the possession of the British. The heat of B. is Often excessive, and the
situation is regarded as unhealthy. B. carries on a considerable trade with Bombay and Surat—the principal exports being raw cotton, grain, and seeds. It was long famous for its manufactures of cloth; but that of the finer kinds has fallen off very much, in conse quence of the importation of English goods. Many of the weavers of B. are Parsees, of whom also some are of the more opulent classes—as ship-owners and ship-brokers. B. has one remarkable institution—a Brahmanical hospital for sick animals, into which horses, dogs, cats, monkeys, peacocks, and even insects are received. It is ostensibly attended by a number of Brahmans, who derive a good income from lands devoted to it, and from voluntary contributions. Pop. of collectorate (1872) 350,322.