71
80. Ganja and charas is used in company. It
is confined to the male sex only. Children do not
consume ganja and charas. Bhang is used in
solitude as well as in company. The women of
Kochis, Todhs, Ahirs and low Muhammadans
also use bhang. Grown up boys also use bhang.
31. The habit is not easily formed, but when
a man gets into the habit, it is very difficult to
break it off.
32. Bhang and majum are used in Holi by those
Hindus who do not drink. Bhang is also offered
to Mahadeva on days fixed for the worship of
Mahadeva. It is temperate. It cannot lead to
the formation of habit and is not injurious. The
custom is religiously observed by ignorant Hindus.
33. The consumers of ganja and charas are
looked down upon with contempt. They do not
move in good society. Bhang-drinking is not
held in disrepute.
34. The labourers who use these drugs to alle-
viate fatigue and to resist severe exposure or exer-
tion will feel it seriously ; and to the Hindus who
do not use any intoxicant save bhang it will be
serious privation to forego the consumption of
bhang.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of drugs. It will be consumed illicitly, and will
cause a wide-spread disaffection towards Govern-
ment. The prohibition will lead to the use of alco-
holic stimulants with those where religion do not
prohibit it ; but the others will have recourse to
some more injurious drugs or poisons.
36. No.
37. There is a slight difference in the effects of
ganja and charas smoking. The effects of charas
are mild and its intoxication does not last long,
and its effects are not instantaueous.
38. The effects of ganja are instantaneous,
strong and not lasting. Yes, the intoxication of
"chur" is not so strong as that of 'flat,' which
is weaker than round.
40. Bhang is given to horses and cattle to re-
lieve fatigue. It is used by baids as medicine in
some diseases. It is used for the cure of piles.
Charas is used for curing asthma and tetanus by
baids.
41. A moderate use of bhang and charas is
beneficial to health—
(a) As a food accessory.
(b) To give staying-power under severe exertion
or exposure, or to alleviate fatigue.
(c) It is a general impression that ganja smok-
ers never suffer from malarious fevers. The
moderate use of charas and bhang, whether
habitually or occasionally, is beneficial.
42. The use of ganja is more harmful.
43. Yes.
44. The effects of charas and ganja are refresh-
ing. The effects of bhang are depressing. Ganja
and charas allay hunger and bhang creates appe-
tite. The intoxication of ganja is very temporary.
The intoxication of charas does not last for more
than half an hour. That of bhang lasts for a
day. There are no after-effects. No uneasiness
is felt.
45. (a) to (e) No.
(f) Ganja and charas, if used in excess, pro-
duce insanity.
46. Excessive use is sure to produce insanity.
47. The use of bhang is a hereditary habit with
Chaubes and Gangaputras.
51. In my fifteen years' connection with the
criminal courts as a pleader and as a magistrate,
I have not met with a single case in which the
use of any of these drugs has any connection.
The Burwans and the other criminal classes of
India do not use these drugs.
53 and 54. No.
55. Ganja and charas mixed with dhatura is
used by thugs to stupefy their victims and to rob
them. The root of kunair, matua kodon is also
mixed with charas and ganja to stupefy their vic-
tims.
56. The use of drugs in moderation is beneficial;
but its excess with admixture is dangerous. Some
excessive consumers mix dhatura with ganja and
charas and dhatura seeds with bhang. Robbers
mix dhatura with charas and ganja to give it to
travellers to make them out of their senses.
57. It is not eaten or drunk in this province.
58. I know it is working well.
63 and 64. None.
65. Yes.
66. Pathar ganja is very injurious, but it is
cheaper, and it is used in preference to baluchar of
Bengal. The exports from Gwalior, etc., of
pathar should either be disallowed or so heavily
taxed as to make it more costly than baluchar.
68. In cities and towns there are bhang shops.
There can be no objection to these shops. Ganja
and charas shops in cities are kept by sakins, who
are worse than prostitutes. These shops are very
demoralizing, and young men are often tempted
to these infamous shops, not so much for charas
and ganja, as for the prostitutes who sell the drugs.
These shops should be discontinued and no license
should be granted to females, as young men who
go there are habituated to use charas and ganja,
which they would have never done, had these
infamous women not been licensd to sell ganja
and charas.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted
before a shop is opened, but a shop is removed if
the people object to it. Local public opinion
should always be considered.
Copy of a letter from the Board of Reve-
nue to Government appended to PANDIT
BISHUMBHER NATH'S evidence,
1. In reply to G. O. No. 431, dated 8th
December 1893, regarding the grant of licenses to
females in the Fyzabad, Lucknow and Agra
districts, I am directed to say that it has been
ascertained that in Fyzabad four drug licenses have
been granted this year to Sakins. The Deputy
Commissioner has, however, issued orders to cancel
the licenses granted by the contractor to these
women and has prohibited the future grant of
such licenses to prostitutes.
2. In Lucknow five drug licenses have been
granted this year to Sakins. The Commissioner
of Excise has been requested to inform the
Deputy Commissioner of Lucknow that licenses
to such persons should be strictly prohibited in
future, and that the contractor should be warned
that if any scaudal arises from the contractor's
unforeseen action in the current year, he will be
excluded from future contracts.
3. In Agra no drug licenses are granted to