BROACH, broch. or BABOACH (Barygaw in the PeripIns of the First Century A.D.. from Skt. Ithrgukaecha, the town of Bhrigu the Seer, from Kaeeha, river-bank). A town of British India, in the Presidency of Bombay, 190 miles north of Bombay (Map: India, B 4). It is situated on an elevated mound, supposed to be artificial, on the north bank of the Nerbudda, which is here 2 miles wide even at ebb tide, but shallow. The navigable channel is winding and difficult, even at high water—a feature mentioned as early as the First Century A.D. It abounds in fine fish. A stone wall, about 40 feet high, fronts the river bank, and protects the town from inundation. The streets are narrow, with tall houses. Situ ated in the midst of a fertile district. for 800 years it was a flourishing town.with a large population ; but in consequence of political troubles, and the rise of Surat in the Sixteenth Century, it com menced to decay. Its trade consists chiefly of agricultural products and cotton. Broach was long famous for its manufactures of cloth; but that of the finer kinds declined. owing to the im
portation of English goods. Many of the weavers of Broach are l'arsees, of whom some are of the more opulent classes—as ship-owners and ship brokers. Broach has a remarkable Brahmanical hospital for sick animals, into which horses, dogs, eats, monkeys, peacocks, and even insects are re ceived. It is ostensibly conducted by a number of Brahmans, who derive a good income from lauds devoted to it and from voluntary contributions. Broach belonged to the Kingdom of Guerat, on the overthrow of which, by the Emperor Akbar, it was assigned to a petty Nawah. Falling under the dominion of the Peishwa of the Mahrattas, it was taken by the British in 1772, ceded to Sein din in 1783. in acknowledgment of the kind treat ment of some lIritish prisoners, and again stormed by a British force in 1803, since which date it has remained in the possession of the British. Population, in 1891, 40,170; in 1901, 42.300.