238
cattle to prevent dysentery. It is also used for
men in a delirious state.
41. No ; it is condemned.
42. It cannot be considered as harmless, be-
cause when it is used it keeps the mind in an
unsettled condition, and makes persons laugh
within themselves and utter all sorts of words and
begin to sing mad songs,
43. Not always ; sometimes they are inoffen-
sive.
44. It produces sleep, keeps down hunger, in-
duces them to work even when starving for a
length of time. Its immediate effect is that it
dries all the moisture on the tongue and lips, and
produces a peculiar sensation in the brain when
it is taken in the form of beverage. With the
ingredients mentioned above it is refreshing. In
small doses intoxication is less perceptible.
Generally its effect lasts from two to six hours.
Its after-affects are that brain and lungs ate in-
volved.
45. First it acts like a stimulant and then as a
sedative upon the nervous system.
49. Yes ; some native doctors use it in prepar-
ing confections.
51. They do not allow their thoughts, under
the influence of ganja, to run towards the com-
mission of offences. Criminality cannot be at-
tributed to ganja smokers or drinkers. They
would rather beg than steal.
53. It would rather create a suicidal tendency
in the man. Excessive indulgence generally pro-
duces madness. They generally like solitude to
society and disregard their food, dress, etc. I do
not know any case in which it had produced
homicidal frenzy.
54. No.
55. Yes; complete stupefaction cannot be in-
duced without admixture.
51. Evidence of MUNSHI S. MOHAMED UNWUR SAHIB, Tahsildar, Suthanapully
Taluk, Kistna District.
1. I consulted several persons who are addict-
ed to the use of ganja, and my information is
based on the facts thus elicited from them after
careful enquiry.
3. I have no knowledge of any district or dis-
tricts in which the hemp plant grows spontane-
ously, i.e., without undergoing the operations of
cultivation.
14. Hemp plant is not grown in this taluk, and
hence ganja, charas, and bhang are not prepared
here from it.
16. Bhang is prepared generally by the people
in their houses. It can be prepared from the
hemp plant not only wherever grown, but also
wherever it is procurable. I have no idea
whether ganja or charas can be prepared from
the wild plant or not.
19. Charas is unknown in this part of the
country. I have no idea of it. Ganja is used to
a large extent for smoking.
Bhang is prepared from the leaves and seeds of
the hemp plant. The leaves and seeds are ground
well with water till it becomes pulpy ; then this
pulpy substance is strained in a piece of thin cloth
and the juicy matter is gathered in a cup; milk,
sugar, spices, etc., are added to give flavour to the
juice thus gathered. Then this is drunk by the
people, and it serves as a beverage, especially in
hot season.
Majun.—This is also prepared from the leaves
of hemp plant. The seeds and leaves are ground
well and mixed with sweetmeat. This serves as a
stimulant to people who are accustomed to its
use.
Ganja is allowed to soak for a few minutes in
water and then squeezed. The juice thus obtained
is mixed in the preparation of curry (flesh). The
people partake of this, and it is said that its use
serves as a stimulant. The places where these are
prevalent are large towns, such as Guntur, Bez-
wada, and Masulipatam, in this district.
20. Bairagis, sanyasis, and religious mendicants
of the Hindu community and fakirs or beggars
of the Muhammadan community smoke ganja,
and also the retired peons and pensioned sepoys
of the native army, and also some low classes,
such as Vudders (tank diggers), Yanadis, and
Chundus (village watchers), and Chenchus (hill
tribes). The proportion of the people that smoke
ganja is approximately one per cent., and even
less. Smoking is not confined to any particular
locality or localities, but generally throughout
the country. Charas is not in use at all in this
country.
24. No persons in this taluk either eat or drink
bhang.
25. The use of bhang and charas is unknown in
this country.
The consumption of ganja for the last three
official years is as follows :
—
1,296 lbs. for the official year 1890-91.
2,073 lbs.
ditto
1891-92
517 lbs.
ditto
1 8 9 2 – 9 3 .
From this it is clear that the consumption is on
the decrease; but this cannot be taken as a safe
guide, for sometimes the ganja smokers get their
supply from other taluks, which are nearer to
them than the town of Suthanapully, where there
is a license-holder for selling ganja.
28. The average allowance of habitual moderate
consumers of ganja ranges between half and one
tola per diem, and its cost is between two and
four pies.
32. It is customary among bairagis, etc., to
welcome their friends and relations by offering
ganja when they come to see them in the same
way as tea or coffee is offered among the civilized
people of the West. About half or one tola of
ganja is well washed first repeatedly with water
in the palm of the left hand, and is squeezed with
the thumb of the right hand till it forms into a
ball. This ball is put in a small earthen bowl,
then fire is put on it and given to the visitor, who
smokes by holding the bowl between his two
hands. After taking two or three whiffs the
bowl is passed on to some others in the com-
pany. When this exchange of the bowl takes
place, the receiver calls out " Ram! Ram!" and
at the same time makes a sort of obeisance to the
giver. When the Musalmans exchange the
bowls, they call "Jama Alla!" (society of God) ;
then the receiver calls out "Ishq-i-Alla" (love of