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58. Evidence of K. RAMA KRISTNA BRAMHAM, Brahmin, Stationary Sub-Magistrate,
Kudlighi, Bellary District.
1. I have not had very many opportunities.
For the last two years I have been a Magistrate,
and have bad to make enquiries now and then
regarding the habits of people. In the course of
such enquiries, I happened to know something
about the use of hemp.
3. Bellary. It is abundant.
14. Ganja and bhang. They are prepared to a
pretty large extent.
16. Bhang and ganja can be prepared in their
houses easily by the people.
19. Ganja is used for smoking only.
20. Chiefly Boyas ; Lingayets and religious
mendicants of whatsoever class also use it. Three-
fourths of the males amongst Boyas are believed
to have been addicted to it. Amongst Lingayets
it can be said that one-fourth of the males have
been so addicted.
24. Eating and drinking of bhang are used
equally. They take place only on festival days.
25. Is on the increase. Ignorance and associ-
ation.
28. Between six and nine pies a day. Each
man is supposed to use two and a-half Colas a day.
32. In the places I have known, religion has
nothing to do with the use of these drugs. On
occasions of social gatherings such as marriages,
and also when large numbers are collected at car
festivals, etc., the drug is mixed up in eatables just
in view to make a fun of the people who ate them
when they get into delirium.
33. Certainly the use of these drugs is held in
disrepute. People addicted to them are held in
low estimation. This is on social grounds. The
reason is that all intoxicants are so regarded
amongst the Hindus. There is no custom of
worshipping the plant by any class of people.
39. No; eating is considered less injurious to
health than smoking of any kind. Smoking is
considered to induce consumption, and other dis-
eases of lungs and chest.
40. Yes ; the plant is used by native doctors as
an astringent and tonic.
41. I think so ; very moderate use will act as a
prophylatic to certain diseases, especially fevers,
cold, etc.
42. Vide above.
43. Quite inoffensive.
44. It is refreshing after long habit ; of course
it causes intoxication. It does not allay hunger.
On the other hand, it creates appetite. The
length of the time for which the effects last de-
pends on the quantity used. For a moderate con-
sumer, the effects are believed to last for six hours.
45. Any use of the drugs will tell more or less
according to the extent to which the consumer is
addicted to it, upon both his physical and mental
conditions. But I have seen no case where a
man's morals are spoiled on this account.
49. No.
51 to 53. No. People, by the use of these
drugs, become more and more timid and will be
quite unfit for any violence.
59. Evidence of M. SESHACHALA NAIDU, Baliya, Pensioned Tahsildar, Vellore.
1. From personal experience and from informa-
tion obtained from the manufacturers of hemp
drugs.
2. According to the definition given by Dr.
Prain, bhang only appears to be in use in this
(North Arcot) district.
3, 4, 5 and 6. I have travelled over many districts
and States in this presidency, viz., from Travan.
core to Bellary ; was a Tahsildar in Coimbatore,
Bellary, and Anantapur districts, but I have not
seen or heard that hemp plant grows wild in any
of these places.
7. I hear hemp plant is cultivated in the Javadi
Hills, Polur and Vellore taluks, in this district.
I have seen Pandarums cultivate small plots of
ground attached to their matams in Quilon, Tra-
vancore State, and Mattoopolliam, Coimbatore
district, for use as bhang.
8 . I d o n ' t k n o w .
9. No special knowledge is required for the
cultivation of hemp plant. It is cultivated in
drills or in beds.
10, 11 and 12. Don't know.
13. A moist climate, rich soil, excessive rainfall,
are necessary for the luxuriant growth of culti-
vated hemp. Elevation is not very necessary, as it
can be cultivated in plains also.
14. Bhang appears to be prepared in this dis-
trict.
15. From the cultivated hemp, the following
preparations appear to be made
(a) For smoking.—Bhang Thum.
(b) For eating.—Majum, purnathy, bhang
balls.
(c) For drinking.—Ramarus, panakum.
Method of preparation : —
(1) Majum.—The hemp leaves are first fried,
then pounded into fine powder and mixed with
jaggery syrup. The manufacturers then add rose,
senna leaves, sompu, and spices, make them into
balls, and sell them to the public,
(2) Purnathy lahiyam.— The leaves are first
soaked in water and the next day washed seven
times with water. Then they are mixed with ghee
and water, boiled for two or three days, and strain-
ed ; then the water is poured out, and the ghee col-
lected. Akroot, salamisri, rumamas taki, senna
leaves, rose, sompu, milk boiled, hard raisins,
dates and sugar, are mixed with the ghee, and
used as medicine.
(3) Bhang balls.— The bhang leaves are boiled
for half an hour, washed four or five times with
water, some pepper and salt are added, and rolled
into balls and sold.