13
Inferior castes are said to prefer ganja, and not
resort much to bhang. The following usually
eat it : Gangaputrs, the Chaubes of Mathra, about
20 per cent.; perhaps 10 per cent. of them drink it.
Bhang is said to be consumed extensively in
the following districts: Benares, Muttra, Allahabad
Cawnpore, Unao, Rai Bareli.
25. On the increase. In recent years Kayasths
have almost everywhere banned liquor. Those
who used to drink liquor have accordingly begun
to take bhang instead. The high price of liquor
has driven the drinking castes to ganja and bhang.
The imports indicate larger sales than formerly.
26. Bhang,
(a) 75 per cent.
(b) 10 per cent.
(c) 35 per cent.
(d) Blank for all.
Ganja.
75 percent.
15 per cent.
10 per cent.
Charas.
30 per cent.
2 per cent.
68 per cent.
27. Nanakshahi and Udasi fakirs and in large
cities like Lucknow and Benares Shukdas (viz.,
debauchees, a separate recognized class including
people of different religions and castes) usually
drink to excess.
28. Bhang.
(a) 1 pice worth.
(b) 2 pice worth.
Ganja.
2 pice worth.
1½ annas worth.
Charas.
1 anna worth.
2 annas worth.
29. Bhang—Ordinarily by all consumers:
Black: pepper (kali mirch), aniseed (sonf), carda-
moms (elaichi). Exceptionally: Almonds (bad-
am), cucumber seeds (kire, kakri ke bij), parsley
(khurfa), " shoe flower" flowers* (gurhal ka phul),
milk (dudh), saffron (zafaran), sugar (shakar),
rose water (gulab ka arq).
Ganja—Ordinarily with tobacco.
Charas—Ordinarily with tobacco.
30. Mostly in solitude, say 75 per cent., and
25 per cent. in company. Mainly confined to
the male sex. Habit seems to be formed between
15 and 25 if at all, and is then not broken off.
If not formed before 25, it is not often contract-
ed afterwards.
81. Easily. Bhang easily broken off ; ganja
and charas not. There is no tendency in the use
of these drugs to any excessive consumption, as in
the case of liquor and, may be, opium.
32. At marriages these drugs are all three used
regularly, for servants chiefly. At the Holi fes-
tival. When visits are paid amongst the Hindus
at this festival, it is customary to offer the visitor
one or other of these drugs, chiefly bhang in the
form of majum (viz., bhang mixed with sugar,
ghi, etc.). At the Shiuratri ceremony, bhaug
mixed with milk usually is offered to Mahadeo,
and visitors liberally treated to the same. The
use of drugs on the above occasions is essential.
It is universally moderate. It is not likely to
lead to the formation of the habit, nor is it in-
jurious in other ways.
33. The use of bhang in moderation is regarded
with favour. Ganja and charas, except by the
fakirs, are regarded with disfavour from the social
point of view. From the religious point of view
amongst fakirs all three are good. No worship
of the hemp plant is known here.
34. Certainly. The poorer classes, such as kahars
and agriculturists, would feel it keenly. In the
cold weather it helps them in their work, giving
warmth and encouragement. Fakirs would also
feel the deprivation most of all.
35. No. Illicit consumption would be the order of
the day. The prohibition could not possibly be en-
forced in any way. The discontent caused would
be extreme, and we have quite enough already.
The political danger that would be created is too
transparent to need assertion. The prohibition
would be followed by recourse to a great many other
things besides alcoholic stimulants or other drugs.
36. No; decidedly not; in these provinces quite
the reverse.
37. Not appreciably.
38. Baluchar is stronger and its intoxicating
effects greater than those of patiyara. Patiyara
is weaker and occasionally induces coughing.
40. Bhang for external use and internal, also in
the case of piles. Ganja seed oil for rheumatism.
Bhang is commonly used for cattle disease.
41. Bhang is useful as a digestive and appetizer.
Also as noted in (b). Ganja and charas are useful
as (c). Ganja is much taken in Gonda and
Bahraich, as it is believed to keep off swellings
in the throat, which are very prevalent there.
This refers to all, mainly Thakurs perhaps.
Kahars who have to carry dhulis and cultivators
who have to undergo great extremes of temper-
ature frequently resort to ganja for (b). I refer
to the moderate use only.
43. Most certainly.
44. Bhang is refreshing and comparatively
unintoxicating; it creates appetite; does not allay
hunger. Its effect lasts say five or six hours. No
after-effects.
Ganja and charas produce intoxication at once ;
that is to say, insensibility to external influences,
less of course in the case of the excessive consumer.
They do not allay hunger, but are said to excite
appetite. The effects last two or three hours or
less. Regular consumers feel longing and un-
easiness if not able to procure their ordinary supply.
45. (a) Bhang—no. Ganja and charas produce
impotence after about twelve years. This is said to
be the reason why fakirs habitually take these drugs.
(b) Ganja and charas reputedly do impair
the constitution; (c) and cause loss of appetite
and injury to the digestion ; (d) induce asthma;
(e) impair the moral sense, induce laziness,
and conduce to habits of immorality, etc.
47. No.
49. As far I can ascertain, not. Vide answer
to question 45.
51. There seems no reason to connect the use of
any of these drugs with crime in general or parti-
cular.
53. No. I have never come across such a case to
my recollection.
54. Possibly. I remember no such cases. Li-
quor would be more probable.
55. Bhang—without admixture intoxication
comes very slowly; with this it would be im-
possible.
Ganja and charas—to one who had never taken
them before, stupefaction might ensue without
admixture, but the usual way is to mix them with
dhatura.
58. I consider our system works well, and
personally am not prepared to suggest any im-
provements.
60. The ganja that is produced in these pro-
vinces is for the most part the result of casual
growth and consumed locally and by stealth. It
is not exported. The present Excise Act meets
all emergencies in connection with it.
62. No. Not feasible.
63. None.
64. No.
65. I think so.
67. No.
* Hibiscus Synacus.