260
consume it because they say, that under its in-
fluence, their thoughts are more easily directed to
God. Charas and Ganja.— Bairagis, Kahars.
Bairagis take ganja that their virility may be
diminished. Kahars say that under the influence
of ganja they cannot feel burdens.
(c) All classes of people who happen to meet
people who use these drugs.
(d) Ganja and
Charas.—None. Bhang—
Kaiths, Brahmins, and at Holi all classes of
Hindus.
29. (a) Black pepper, almonds, kukri seeds, ani-
seed, to improve taste.
(b) Dhatura is mixed to produce more intoxi-
cating effects by a few consumers.
30. All three are used in company as a rule.
These drugs are used especially by the young,
from 22 years to about 35. It is mainly confined
to the male sex. Children sometimes have bhang
given to them by their parents, but never use
ganja or charas.
81. Habit very easily formed, and very difficult
to break off. Witness asked two consumers of
bhang if they could give it up, and they say they
could not. There is a tendency for the moderate
habit to develop into the excessive.
82. At. the Holi most Hindus (about two-thirds)
drink bhang and eat majun. Kaiths especially
eat majun at that festival. This is not essential,
and is generally excessive. It is not likely to
lead to the formation of the habit, and is not
injurious.
83. Hindus do not think use of bhang to be
reprobated, and believe that sadhus and bairagis
use ganja and charas to procure impotence, and
therefore do not look on their use of those things
as evil. As regards the use of charas and ganja
by others, they look on it as not good, but there
is no great feeling about it.
34. People who drink bhang would suffer greatly
if they were deprived of it. About half the total
number of Hindus or rather less use bhang.
35. It might be prohibited, but would cause
great distress, and the drugs would be consumed
illicitly. The prohibition could only be enforced
by the greatest trouble. There would be serious
discontent caused amongst those who have formed
the habit strongly ; but there would be no political
discontent. Kaiths would use wine ; but no other
Hindu would use anything.
36. I do not think so.
40. Bhang is used for cattle which have lost
their appetite. It is also used in medicine by
Hindu doctors.
42. Ganja and charas cause asthma and coughs
(dum aur khansi) and are therefore harmful. The
moderate use of bhang is quite harmless.
47. It does not appear to be hereditary, but
rather a question of environment (= sohbat, lit.
society). The children of moderate consumers are
not affected.
51. A large proportion of bad characters use
ganja and charas.
62. The cultivation of bhang need not be con-
trolled. There is sufficient control as it is.
63. None at all.
65. Since the use of ganja and charas is bad
they should be slightly more taxed than bhang, so
as to discourage use of them.
69. The shop is opened without consulting
wishes of people in places where it is considered
necessary.
Q.—What do you think about the prohibition
of the use of these drugs ?
A.—I think that bhang is harmless and need
not be prohibited.
I think that charas and ganja should not be
prohibited for the sake of bairagis and sadhus,
but that by raising the price the lower castes who
now use them may break off their habit.
192. Evidence of THAKUR BHARAT SINGH, Rassaldar formerly, now Zamindar,
Nagla Dagur, Pargana Iglas, District Aligarh.
1. Have used these things in my youth a little,
but have given them up. Used charas once or
twice and also bhang, but not ganja. Have seen
many people who used ganja. While in the army,
witness went to Kabul, Bhutan, Lucknow, and
all about the country in the Mutiny.
Bhang is called bijaiya also in this part of the
country (=brij mandal), and also kamlapatti.
3. Hardwar, Peshwar, and places near Kabul.
Is abundant about Hardwar.
5. Hills and stony land.
6. Very dense.
14. (a) I have seen ganja prepared to a small
extent by fakirs in baghs in this district.
(b) I have seen charas prepared near Peshawar
and Kandahar. People go into the fields with
leather leggings on, and the charas sticks to them
and is scraped off.
(c) I have seen bhang prepared at Hardwar.
Lahore, Kabul and Kandahar in great quantities,
16. Ganja and charas can be made anywhere.
17. A caste of Hindus called Khasia in the
hills near Dehra and Mussoorie especially prepare
these.
20. Brahmins (about 10 per cent.) use ganja
and charas ; Banias (about 5 per cent) ; Thakurs
(about 15 per cent) ; Kaiths (about 5 per cent) ;
Kahars (about 50 per cent) ; Fakirs (about 80 or
90 per cent) ; other low castes (about 30 per cent.).
21. The round sort is preferred.
22. It comes frm Kandahar.
24. (a) Only about 1 or 2 per cent. eat it at
odd times, except in the Holi.
(b) Thakurs about 10 per cent ; Banias about
10 per cent.; Brahmins about 10 or 12 per cent.;
Kaiths about 7 or 8 per cent.
Low castes—Nai and Kahars all drink it. Other
low castes about 15 per cent. In the Holi nearly
all Hindus use it. About 10 per cent. of low class
Musalmans use it.
25. Charas is more used now, because the Gov-
ernment now allows it. In former days noses and
fingers were cut for this. Ganja is also more
used for the same reason. Bhang is not so much
used.
26. (a) About 25 per cent.
(b) About 10 per cent.
(c) About 90 per cent.