184
temperance; for temperance is good. I cannot
remember. I remember the matter being broach-
ed. If one say my name was entered, I shall be
unable to deny it; if he said it was not, I could
not deny it. I do not know where Mr. Evans is,
I did not know he had mentioned my name to the
Commission. All replies I have written are my
own opinions.
125. Evidence of RAM NARAIN , * Rajput, Hakim, Aligarh.
1. The sources of my information regarding the
matters connected with hemp drugs in regard to
which my answers are framed are as follows :—
(a) My own profession as a hakim.
(b) My moving in the societies of ascetics or
fakirs.
(c) My travels in the different parts of the
countries.
(d) My studies of the religious and medical
books.
2. These products are known under the vari-
ous names of—
(1) Bhang (medical name kunab).
(2) General name—bhang,
(3) Technical name—Wark-ul-khyal.
(4) „
(5) „
(6) „
(7) „
(8) „
(9) „
(10)
„
(11)
„
(12)
„
Falaksair.
Nainbhurpur.
Bijia.
Patti.
Sabzi.
Kamlapati.
Bawlighas.
Buty.
Siddhi.
Charas (medical name nil).
(1) General name charas.
(2) Technical name—Siddhi.
(3) „
(4) „
(5) „
(6) „
(7) „
Eighty-four.
Sulfa.
Long smoke.
Turta.
Missa.
19. Ganja and charas are usually used in smok-
ing, but in certain cases charas is eaten with some
other ingredients. The debauchee, for strengthen-
ing the sexual and staying-power, use it with
opium and saffron. There are certain prescriptions
to be found in medical books, which are used by
noble men of this country, and is called " majum
mumsik." There is no particular place where
these are so used.
23. Bhang is not customarily used in smoking.
28. (a) The quantity which a moderate consumer
takes is from 3 mashas to 6 mashas per diem, cost-
ing from 1 to 2 annas.
The quantity of bhang is from 6 mashas to one
tola, costing half pice.
Ganja is not in use in this part of the country.
(b) The quantity used by excessive consumers
of charas per diem amounts from one chatak
to two chataks to the value of 1 rupee 4 annas.
The excessive consumers of bhang use from 1 to 2
chataks, the value of which amounts from 8 pies
to 1 anna 3 pies.
29. The ordinary massala of bhang consists of
the following things :—aniseed, pepper, cucumber
seed, and cardamoms; and the special massala con-
sists of the following ingredients—saffron, cucum-
ber seed, pumpkin seed, almond seed, melon
seed, cardamom seed, pepper, kewra water, rose
water, rose flower, sugatcandy, and milk. Some-
times salt is substituted for sugar with the follow-
ing ingredients :—parched cummiu seed, carda-
moms, and pepper; and in this preparation they
use curd for milk to make it palatable. Some-
times thorn-apple seed is added for increasing in-
toxication. Opium and charas are never mixed.
Charas is generally mixed with tobacco; some-
times people use charchabila instead of common
fuel for removing its bad smell.
30. One man can consume charas from 3 to 6
mashas in solitude, but in company its quantity
depends upon the number of the people. It is
often seen that in company the quantity so con-
sumed is from ¼ to ½ seer. At annual gatherings
in some sacred places, it is observed that a chillum
containing 1¼ seers of charas is suspended to a
tree for smoking.
Though its use is confined to the male sex, some
public women are addicted to it by reason of keep-
ing company with such persons. No restraint is
put upon it as to any time or age. Children are
quite free from its use.
31. The habit of drinking charas and bhang in
easily formed by degrees, and then it becomes
difficult to get rid of it. According to the prin-
ciple of Materia Medica, these drugs consist of
the property of benumbing the brain, in conse-
quence of which the moderate habit of consum-
ing these drugs is developed into the excessive.
32. We are not bound by religion to use. any
of these drugs, nor is it prescribed in any of the
religious books. However the ascetics and other
sects of the mendicants have legalized the uses of
these drugs, and also those who associate with
them have been addicted to their uses. Accord-
ingly some of the mendicants use them at the
place of worship as a religious and social custom.
For instance, in the west there is a certain place
called Hinglaj, beyond the limits of the British
territory, where these mendicants in a body from
different places resort to the spot for worshipping
and they come upon a well, called " Chandr kup,"
where they prepare a chillum (panchratni), con-
sisting of the five ingredients, viz., charas, dhatura,
arsenic, opium, and ganja with tobacco, and after
offering it to the well, each and every individual
is bound to have a smoke as a blessing. In the
province of Punjab there is a hilly State called
Chamba, at which stands the temple of Shiva
Manmahash, and there is another temple in the
Kashmir territory, namely, Amarnath, and there
is one more temple in the territory of Nepal; to
these places resort the sects of these mendicants,
where they consume these drugs, as it were a reli-
gious custom. Fakirs and ascetics take this no-
tion into their heads that the drinking of bhang
concentrates their thoughts, and the use of charas
destroys the aphrodisiac power.† Such uses are
generally temperate. Though the temperate uses
of these drugs do not go to form a habit, but
these are injurious to some extent.
36. As far as my experience and outward
knowledge goes, I can positively say that in no
way alcohol is being substituted for any of these
drugs. I am of opinion that though alcohol will
not and cannot satisfy the habitual consumers
of these drugs, yet it helps to some extent in
† N. B.—From these foolish notions they take to drink-
ing and smoking, and thus become excessive consumers.
There can hardly bo any doubt that these drugs must have
their poisonous effect on their coustitution.
* Invited to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.