51
that I may sing the praises of Har and view the
elephant rider as a mosquito.
Another preparation of the bhang is majum.
To make this, the leaves are well washed and boiled
in ghi and then strained. The juice is then mixed
with curds (khoa), sugar, black pepper, pistas,
badams (almonds) ilachies (cardamoms), etc., so
as to make a sort of sweetmeat.
30. Ganja and charas are smoked in company,
and bhang consumed generally in company on
Holi, Shivburt and Durga Puja festivals, and also
in marriages (in phul, which usually takes place
on the second or third day of the marriage)
among certain castes, such as Brahmins, Khatris,
Bunnias, etc.
Confined to male sex. Not usual for children.
They do take bhang in the shape of drink and
sweets in Holi, Shivratri, and Durga Puja festi-
vals in small quantities.
31. Yes, if used for a month or two, not diffi-
cult to break the habit. Yes, in ganja and charas,
but not much.
32. Ganja and charas.—It is a custom to a
certain extent in low class of Hindu communi-
ties—such as kahars, dhobis, kunbis, mullahs,
kewats, barbers, and baildars, etc.,—in marriages
and Shivratri to smoke these.
Bhang.—After the last day of Durga Puja and
Holi festival in the month of Phagun, it is incum-
bent on the owner of the house to offer his visitor
a cup of bhang beverage or majum. On Shivburt,
too, the bhang is drunk in almost every high caste
Hindu house and offered to the god Shiva, as
stated in answer to question 30. After second or
third day of a marriage the bridegroom and his caste
fellows proceed at night to the house of the bride.
There each man is entertained with a glass of
bhang, and his clothes are sprinkled over with red
colour, and a garland put round his neck. Use of
bhang, in connection with these customs, is regard-
ed essential. The use is generally temperate, and
is not likely to lead to the formation of a habit.
33. Among the mendicants and religious men,
the hemp plant is regarded in the shape of nectar.
It is said to have been produced while the gods
were churning the ocean with the mountain called
Mandara. Bhang is a favourite drink of Indra,
the king of gods, and is called vijia, because it
gives success to its votaries, and the gods, through
compassion on the human race, sent it to the earth.
Among the enlightened classes ganja and charas
are in disrepute probably because they are used by
low castes, and their effects to a certain extent are
considered injurious. Bhang is not in disrepute
as far as I know. There is no custom of worship-
ping the plant. A chillum of ganja and charas is
generally offered to tombs.
34. Yes. Ganja and charas to mendicants to
whom it is indispensable, and bhang to those con-
sumers who are prevented by religious ties to use
liquor.
35. The use of ganja and charas should be dis-
couraged as far as possible. This seems capable of
being done by raising the duty. I think the pro-
hibition would occasion serious discontent, espe-
cially to mendicants and their followers. I anti-
cipate no political danger. The prohibition would
be followed by recourse to both alcoholic stimulants
and other drugs, such as dhatura, root of jhundri,
root of kunair, and kutchla.
37. No. Charas is more powerful, and its in-
toxication remains longer than ganja. Both pro-
duce sudden and immediate intoxication.
38. Baluchur ganja is more powerful than the
flat, round, and pathar ganja. They produce
sleeplessness, allay hunger, and dry blood.
39. No. Smoking of ganja and charas resin,
drinking bhang beverage, or eating majum is in-
jurious. They produce immediate intoxication four
times more than the bhang which brings intoxi-
cation by degrees.
40. Given to cattle to create appetite.
41. Bhang in moderate quantity and mixed
with other ingredients produces the following be-
neficial effects :—The drinkers obtain delight, and
have their sexual desires excited. It is stimulant,
sedative, and increases appetite. Under its influ-
ence they eat much. It removes constipation, sub-
dues pain, and obtains sleep. In small quantities
it is stomachic tonic. It produces better flow of
thoughts and deep meditation, and increases the
activity of the brain. It checks diarrhoea. Men-
tion of the bhang is also made in the Atharvan
Veda, which was written more than three hundred
years ago. The Veda reckons it as liberator of
sin. It is also considered as a preventive of dis-
ease in malarious and unhealthy tracts.
Ganja and charas.—These are beneficial in so
far that they burn the sexual desires of the mendi-
cants and put them in deep meditation and pre-
vent disease in malarious and unhealthy tracts,
allay hunger and fatigue, and keep them warm.
As regards the mendicants, I refer to habitual
moderate use ; and as to other classes moderate
occasional use.
43. Yes. They are inoffensive.
44. They are refreshing.
Ganja and charas
produce immediate intoxication, which lasts about
an hour. They allay hunger. Bhang creates
appetite. Its intoxication lasts about four hours.
Oral evidence.
Question 25.—It is true that some classes are
giving up liquor. But on the other hand, bhang
has been abandoned for liquor by people of Eng-
lish education. It is the Kayasths who are giv-
ing up liquor, in consequence of a temperance
movement having sprung up among them. But
they are not taking to the hemp drugs instead. I
am of opinion that the consumption of the drugs
has decreased as I have stated.
Question 32.—In my caste a cup of bhang is
offered to caste fellows at marriages, in the Holi
and the Shivratri. Both bhang and majun are
given at the festivals. It is a very ancient cus-
tom, and to omit it would give offence to guests.
There is no religious obligation in the matter. 1
take bhang occasionally myself in a small way.
Question 35.—Jhundri is jawari.
I think the duty on ganja and charas might be
raised, and I do not think that would drive people
to the poisons I have mentioned. Bhang should
not be restricted, but ganja and charas ought to
be restricted by raising the duties. The poisons
are very injurious. I would protest strongly
against any restriction on bhang, which would oc-
casion great discontent to the people, besides caus-
ing a loss of revenue to Government. I have here
a work by the poet Nazir of Agra in praise of the
drugs.
Question 39.—Ganja and charas produce four
times more intoxication than bhang.
Question 41.—I find that the bhang I take oc-
casionally does me good. I can write a judg-
ment better when I have taken it. I drink bhang
only in the hot weather. In the cold I sometimes
take majun.