275
203. Evidence of CHAUDHRI DHYAN SINGH, Zamindar, Kanth, Moradabad.
3. In profusion on the hills, Naini Tal, Almora.
Here and there in this district.
4. Bhang has a thin pointed leaf, containing
no gummy substance ; when dried, the leaves re-
main separate. The ganja leaf contains a sticky
substance.
5. A moist climate ; stony or sandy ground.
6. Very dense under favourable circumstances.
7. Not in this neighbourhood.
10. They are of the same classes as other culti-
vators.
11. They are so raised.
14. Charas only in the Kumaun hills ; bhang
in the Terai, etc.
16. The fresh leaves are kept under bhusa
(chopped straw) for 20 or 40 days to get rid of
the scent, which they have when fresh. This
changes the colour also.
17. No special classes.
18. Charas loses much of its intoxicating power
in a year, and is quite spoiled by the end of
three. Bhang keeps longer.
19. Only for smoking.
20. Ganja is used in the eastern districts, cha-
ras in the western.
The great consumers of charas are kahars, pusia,
baghban, kuchi, kuti, gossains, fakirs. Very few
Muhammadans.
I suppose about 5 per cent. of the population
smoke charas.
21. The baluchar is the best.
22. Almost entirely Yarkand, a little Bokhara.
23. Occasionally with tobacco, when charas
cannot be got.
24. Chaube, Brahmans, gossain, fakirs, jauhris
(jewellers). Here it is chiefly drunk mixed with
almonds, cucumber seeds, endive, pepper, gilli-
flower, cardamoms. With milk and sugar it is
called dudhia. Here about 6 per cent. drink
bhang ; in Muthra 12 per cent.
25. The use of drugs has increased.
26. Charas is consumed by 5 per cent. of the
population. Of these half are habitual moderate
consumers, quarter habitual excessive consumers,
and the rest occasional consumers.
28. For moderate consumers a tola is sufficient,
whether of charas, ganja, or bhang, which would
cost, respectively, 2 annas, 1 anna, and 6 pies.
29. Only tobacco is used with charas. Bhang
is used with many other ingredients. See No.
24.
30. It is not confined to any age. Children
very seldom use drugs.
31. The bhang habit is most easily acquired ;
but there is more danger of excess in the charas
habit. After 40 the habit is extremely difficut to
break off.
32. Bhang is so much used by the Muthra
Chaubes that no ceremony is performed by them
without it. Bhang is frequently consumed in
Sheobart ; but it cannot be said that the use of
any drug is considered essential in connection
with any custom.
34. It would be a serious privation, and it
would be harmful to their health.
35. Feasible, but not politic. The only way
is to raise the price of drugs, when consumption
will fall off of itself.
204. Evidence of PANDIT DEBI PARSHAD, Brahman Saraswat, Zamindar, Rai Bareli.
1. I have derived my knowledge from personal
intercourse with persons who consume the drug.
A cousin of mine is addicted to their U6e.
2. I know only of the following kinds of
hemp drugs:—
(1) The drug known as bhang, bijiya, butti,
patti, sabzi.
(2) Ganja
of two kinds—baluchar and
pathar.
(3) Charas of the ordinary kind.
(4) Shaljahan.
The last is not used in Oudh. 1 have heard
of it in the Punjab.
3. Bahraich is the only district which I know
personally in which hemp grows spontaneously.
4. Bhang is the only name 1 know applied to
the growing plant.
5. I have no special knowledge on the subject.
6. No personal knowledge.
7. I have never heard of cultivation of the
hemp drug in these provinces.
14. Ganja and charas are imported. Bhang
is grown, but requires no special preparation.
16. Bhang requires no preparation as it is not
grown in this district ; it is imported ready for
use.
19. Ganja and charas are, so far as my know-
ledge extends, only smoked.
20. Except Kanaujya Brahmans, all Hindus
may smoke ganja or charas. Muhammadans
also often smoke these drugs. Of the total popu-
lation of the districts I am acquainted with, I
believe one-third smoke ganja or charas.
21. Baluchar ganja is most highly thought of
in this part of India.
22. All charas used here is foreign. It comes
from the Punjab.
23. Bhang is never smoked.
24. All Hindus may eat or drink bhang. Fifty
per cent. of them do so. The moderate consum-
ers in general drink it ; immoderate consumers
eat it. 1 have frequently seen Muhammadans eat
or drink bhang.
25. The use of all three drugs is on the increase.
Every year I see one or two persons who have
begun to consume them for the first time. They
are able to get it everywhere, and its use increases
in consequence.
vol. v.
2 Q 2