485
drinking bhang. I attribute all the madness in
their family to bhang.
Question 53.—Except the case of Fazla, I do not
know any case which came to Court.
Question 58.—I think it would be best that the
cultivation of bhang should be forbidden, and that
foreign charas should not be allowed to enter the
country. Alcohol and opium are not so injurious as
charas, and bhang is the worst of all, because it is
got so cheaply that people take it to excess. If
bhang were consumed in the same degree as opium
and liquor, then I should put down opium as the
most harmful, bhang next, and liquor less
injurious.
69. Evidence of MAJOR-GENERAL M. MILLETT , Retired List , Dharmsala.
16. (a) Yes. Though bhang-drinkers generally
meet at dharmsalas and other abodes of fakirs,
where it is often given away.
(b) Yes.
18. As far as known, bhang does not deteriorate
by keeping.
19. As far as known, yes.
20. Fakirs chiefly. Udasis probably the worst.
23. Believe not.
24. Not confined to any particular class. But
its use is not considered respectable. Bhangi in the
Punjab is a nickname, and sometimes a term of
abuse. Bhangi is a sweeper in some parts of the
North-Western Provinces.
25. Difficult to say for certain, but like other in-
toxicants believed to be on the increase.
29. Dhatura is used alone and mixed with bhang.
30. Generally in company.
Only those children (boys) kept for unmention-
able purposes.
31. Yes. Absolutely and "yes" to all these
questions. Reformation impossible.
32. Used sometimes at weddings and other social
gatherings.
33. (a) Regarded with abhorrence by the re-
spectable class. (b) Public opinion against it. Some
Sikhs doubtless have brought themselves to think
bhang-drinking as part of their religion, but it is
not, and if they knew move, would not so consider
it. Disrepute attributable to a man's innate sense
of wrong-doing.
(c) Worship. Believe so, but no details to hand.
34. Yes, now. Same as opium, but future gene-
rations would "call us blessed."
35. (a) Prohibition—gradual it should be. " Drive
a nail where it will go," is feasible. Educated
intelligent native public opinion, which to a great
extent leads that of the lower classes, would sup-
port prohibition.
(b) Illicitly, yes. As now for everything excis-
ed, a gentle and gradual, and statesmanlike execu-
tion of any new law secures success, this would not
prove an exception. But this execution must not
be left to subordinate native officers, a large num-
ber of whom are untrustworthy.
(c) Enforced—it is feared chiefly through in-
formers. "Khillats" to headmen of villages and
mahallas of towns would be useful. The immedi-
ate retirement of every native, country-born, or
Eurasian Government employe found addicted to
the use of these drugs. Full-hearted supervision
by European Magistrates and police officers. But
chief of all, the State must not profit by the sale of
these drugs. Illicit articles seized should be "pub-
licly destroyed by fire in the presence of the com-
munity " (at place when seized if practicable). Some
thirty-five years ago I captured and destroyed in pre-
sence of two drunkards of the company to which I was
attached several gallons of mahwa (Bassia latifolia)
spirit. I have not suffered from the transaction.
(d) Discontent inevitable at first amongst the
degraded classes.
(e) Political. No. Of course tact and discre-
tion needed—tried, calm-minded European officials
at the helm. No more danger than the abolition of
suttee, female infanticide, and (the coming) infant
marriage. Friction amongst the debased at first.
But the innate sense of right existent in all men,
latent now in many, would support the State. [As
in female infanticide, the suppression of which was
easy (of course not absolutely extinct yet). We can
learn from its history.] Above all, the support of
the God of Right, which has never yet failed. If
we do right, we shall always have the support of
the better classes of this country. 'Better ' is used
here to refer to the mind, not to the pocket.
(f) Recourse to alcohol, etc. It is feared so ; but
it must be remembered that the use of alcohol has
largely increased. Inebriate Government officials—
native—are, it is feared, common. Social drinking
is on the increase. Castes who never used it ex-
cept occasionally do so now. When I was a young-
er man it was exceptional; it is not so now. Offer-
ing " a peg " is now etiquette ; formerly it was
"pap"—sin.
Hill beer drinking is known. There
is a silly saying " You cannot make a man virtuous
by Act of Parliament." The falsehood of this has
been proved in Norway and elsewhere as far as
relates to drink.
36. Not substituted—additional. It is the fault
of those at the helm. If no profit were made from
excise, a great improvement would follow. De-
struction, not profit needed.
39. Ganja and charas smoking are more injuri-
ous than bhang-drinking.
41. (a) Bhang is alleged to aid the digestion—
a mere excuse, and as silly as the excuse of the man,
vain about his personal appearance, who alleges that
the use of menhdi (Lawsonia inermis) keeps the
brain cool.
(c) I think I have heard of its use as a febrifuge
(supposed efficacy).
42. Doubt if these drugs can be used in modera-
tion.
43. Doubtful. Are offensive (i.e., harm-causing
to those of their household).
46. See criminal records and Lunatic Asylum
reports. The Commission need not trouble to
enquire about indisputable facts.
47. No accurate data. The example is bad for
children.
49. (a) Bhang is largely used as an aphrodisiac.
(b) Yes ; made up into pastilles. Given to their
clients also.
(c) Yes, like all aphrodisiacs, carries its punish-
ment with it.
(d) Yes.