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BROACH DISTRICT.
Area ...
Population in 1891 ...
Density of population
Rainfall
1,463 sq. miles.
341,490.
233 . 42 per sq. mile.
30 inches.
Boundaries.
The Broach District is bounded on the north by the Mahi river arid the Gaekwar's terri-
tory ; on the east by the States of Baroda and Rájpipla ; on the south
by the Surat District ; and on the west by the Gulf of Cambay.
Climate and natural
features.
The lands of the District form an alluvial plain fifty-four miles in length from
north to south, and sloping gently westward to the shore of the
Gulf of Carnbay. The climate of the District is as healthy as that
of any part of Gujarat, and is much more pleasant than the climate of parts of the Province
situated farther from the sea. In December, January and February, the mornings are some-
times bitterly chill, the thermometer showing a mean average minimum of 50°. Occasion-
ally, however, the cold is much more severe. The latter days of March and the month of
April are the hottest season of the year. Under canvas in the Wagra Sub-Division, the
thermometer has been known to stand as high as 120°, and at this season, in every part of
the District, even in well-built houses, the temperature occasionally rises to 110°.
The geological division of the soils of the District is into light soils and black soils.
The light soil varies in character from the tract of consolidated sand-drift in the south of
the District, to the heavier lands in the neighbourhood of the Narbada, almost merging into
the richest alluvial loam. Though its rivers are the chief natural feature of the Broach
plain, the height of their banks, up to which the whole country slopes, prevents the rivers
from effectually carrying off the surplus waters of local floods.
Previous epidemics.
There is no authentic record of plague in the Broach
District previous to 1897.*
Protective measures in
the Broach District.
December 189G.
Although situated close to the infected territories of Baroda and Surat. the Broach District
for a long time enjoyed a remarkable immunity from plague, which
was secured by no advantages of natural situation or isolation, as it
is easily approached both by land and sea. Broach itself is a busy
town of over 40,000 inhabitants, maintaining constant communication with Bombay and other
plague-stricken places. Imported cases of plague indeed could not but occur, but the num-
ber even of these was very small. Up to the end of March 1897, 18 such cases (12 in Broach
Town) were discovered, but were not followed by any others for a long time. One more case
was noticed in November 1897, 3 in January 1898, and one towards the end of March 1898.
To prevent the importation of infection into his District, Mr. R. E. Candy, I. C. S.,
the Collector, had devised a most careful system of inspection and observation of all arrivals.
This system, simple in itself, was extended to all parts of the District, from the Broach Rail-
way Station and seaport to the most obscure village on the frontier ; while the agency employ-
ed for this purpose was for the most part no more than the ordinary administrative establish-
ment at the disposal of a Collector. Assistant and Deputy Collectors, as Chief Plague
Authorities, retained supervision over Talukas, while groups of villages or observation posts
were assigned to Awal Kárkúns, Abkári Inspectors, Hospital Assistants, and others. Obser-
vation Camps were established at important places in charge of compounders. Revenue
* Bombay Gazetteer, Vol. II.
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