353
41. The moderate use of bhang acts as stimu-
lant and increases appetite, but ganja and charas
are bad even it moderately used.
42. The first part of this question is replied in
No. 41.
43. Not offensive.
44. According to different temperaments of
consumers, to some it is refreshing and to others
producing bad effects. Bhang creates a little
appetite ; it generally varies on the quantity taken
and the health of the consumer.
After-effects
are weakness and idleness ; it produces longing or
uneasiness.
55. Yes, but in case of bhang by help of
dhatura the consumer becomes senseless.
57. I never heard of any one eating and drink-
ing ganja and charas ; they are generally smoked.
58. The present arrangement requires no modi-
fication, and can make no suggestion for better
arrangement.
59. Answered in 58.
63 and 64. None.
65. No suggestion to offer.
66 and 67. No.
68. The present arrangement of location of
shops is satisfactory and requires no modification.
69. Yes, by local enquiry. Public opinion
should be invited.
70. Can't answer ; no data to reply to this.
260. Evidence* of AGA FAQIR MAHOMED, Merchant, Dehra Dun.
[Answers recorded by W. R. G. Moir, Excise Officer.]
3. Hemp plant growing spontaneously is abun-
dant in Dehra and Mussoorie.
6. Is mostly dense.
7. No one cultivates the hemp plant in our dis-
trict.
(a) No.
(b) No.
(c) No.
(d) Its bark is manufactured into ropes (sic).
17. By all classes of the people residing at the
place who may have a liking for it.
18. Ganja, bhang and charas deteriorate by
being kept in a wet place for a long time. They
can keep good long with ordinary care. Protec-
tion from exposure to air (atmosphere), etc., is
also necessary.
20. Mostly Hindus, and among the Muham-
madans—fakirs (beggars or religious devotees—
there is a great variety of them—but perhaps beg-
gars are meant) and Afghanis (residents of Af-
ghanistan ?)
24. Many Peshwas (leaders—sic , i.e., higher
classes or religious devotees?) of the Hindu reli-
gion. It is much used in places of Hindu pilgrim-
age.
25. Consumption of these drugs has increased
since the prohibition by law of their manufacture
(or growth ?) without a license. When the con-
sumption of a thing is prohibited men become
more desirous of using the same.
27. Fakirs or beggars, who mostly have no
permanent residence, but wander from place to
place and are mostly poor.
31. The habit of consuming these drugs is at
first easily formed, and then gradually develops
into the excessive. The habit leads to evil if the
consumer does not get the drug.
40. Yes. The use of the drugs is prescribed on
account of their medicinal qualities. And they
are used in the treatment of cattle.
43. In the end they are offensive to their neigh-
bours.
45. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Causes loss of appetite in the end.
(d) Yes.
(e) It impairs the moral sense and induces ha-
bits of laziness, etc.
(f) It deadens the intellect and produces in-
sanity also. But insanity thus produced disap-
pears a few days after discontinuance of the use
of the drug. If the drug is not (sic) used after
recovery, there is no danger of the symptoms of
insanity being reinduced. The use of charas and
ganja brings on debility, and this is the cause of
insanity.
47. The habitual moderate use, etc., does not
appear to be a hereditary habit. It does not affect
the children in any way,
51. Yes, they are mostly thieves and gamblers.
53. Yes, it does excite, etc.
54. Yes, these three intoxicating drugs are
used when criminals cannot get liquor.
55. Yes, they do. Complete stupefaction can
be induced.
58. I do not consider the present system of
excise administration to be working well. I con-
sider it to be capable of improvement.
261. Evidence of BHAFWANA, bania, Flour-seller, Muzaffarnagar.
1. Witness has drunk charas every day for the
last twenty-four years : 2 pisa worth in the morning
and 2 pisa worth in the evening, making 4 pisa (6
mashas) a day. He has drunk bhang for the
last twenty years ; 1 pisa worth (=1 chhatak) in
a week during the hot weather. He is in the
habit of taking a draught every night in that
season.
2. Ganja is not sold or consumed in the dis-
trict ; subji and putti are terms used for the dry
leaves of the hemp plant.
vol. v.
14. Bhang is prepared in this district (Mu-
zaffarnagar).
15. Bhang consists of the dried leaves of the
hemp plant. They are pounded with a pestle,
usually mixed with spices, the panch maghaz, viz.,
seeds of khira, kukri, kharbuja, tarbuz, kaddu
(cucumbers, melons, water melons), and with
almond, pepper, poppy seed (khaskas) and sonf,
asafetida. Water is poured over the mixture,
which is strained, and the liquid is drunk usually
with milk and sugar.
* Translation.
2 C