473
derately. The moderate consumer is one who
regularly consumes bhang during the day; but
the person who drinks it twice or thrice a day and
in large quantities is considered by me an habitual
excessive consumer.
47. The habitual use (of any of these drags)
does not appear to be an hereditary habit with any
consumer, nor does it affect in any way his
children.
49. In the beginning the use of bhang or charas
is practised as an aphrodisiac. It is so used by
prostitutes. It is generally used for intoxication,
and is not injurious. The excessive use does not
produce impotency, but causes loss of virility,
51. The bad characters use these drugs very
seldom in this district.
53. The use of charas or bhang makes the con-
sumer frantic and leads him to commit a violent
and unpremeditated crime. Here is an instance.
Two years ago a person of the Khosa tribe, while
under the influence of bhang, murdered one of his
tribesmen in the Khosa ilaka in this district.
54. The intoxication of bhang does not give
courage. The drug is generally known to be a
timid intoxicant. This drug interferes with the
action of the heart and the brain.
55. The use of bhang or charas, without the
admixture of dhatura or other intoxicants, does
not induce stupefication. Criminals who use it
for this purpose mix it with dhatura or other
stupefying drugs.
58. I have no objection to the (present) tax-
ation and control. I cannot suggest any improve-
ments.
Notes.
1. The delay has occurred in answering the
questions on account of my having been away
with the District Officer. To-day I despatch my
evidence after recording it.
2. According to the instructions, I record my
evidence as far as my information and experience
go.
3. I have not answered the questions of which
I know nothing, and consequently the space
opposite these questions has been left blank.
4. As I have no information or personal experi-
ence about ganja, I do not give any answer with
regard to it.
5. By the hemp plant I mean bhang. In this
district the hemp plant is known by the name of
bhang. The hemp plant is cultivated in the
month of Kuttak along with the rabi crops. It is
reaped in the month of Baisakh with the rabi
harvests. After being reaped it is called bhang.
The seeds are generally drunk along with leaves
(after being ground). A small amount of seeds
is kept for cultivation. It is said that bhang pro-
duces greater intoxication if it is mixed with
seeds.
6. The wild hemp which grows in the Rawal-
pindi and Amritsar districts, etc., of the Punjab
is known by the name of bhambor. I have refer-
red to it in answer to question No. 4. There is
(some) difference (in the effects of) the wild and
the cultivated bhang. The consumers of bhang
give preference to the cultivated plant, and state
that it is palatable, while the wild hemp is not.
62. Evidence* of MAKHDUM BAHAWAL BAKHSH, Kureshi Hashmi, Proprietor of
Land, Spiritual Leader of certain Sects of Muhammadans (Peesi Mureedi),
Multan.
1. I often pay a visit to my disciples ( Mureeds)
in the districts of the Punjab and Sindh. I state
here what I know from the observations of the
habits and customs of the people.
2. Narcotic articles obtained naturally from
hemp are called bhang, ganja, and charas in this
country also. But ganja, not being used in this
country, people have no knowledge of its
varieties.
3. It is heard that before the British rule in
India bhang was cultivated largely in this coun-
try ; but its growth has been greatly restrained
by suppressive measures by the Government.
As far as I know, I can say that bhang grows
spontaneously in the districts of Hoshiarpur,
Jullunder, and Shahpur. It is abundant in Hos-
hiarpur.
4. Bhang is a name commonly known. Two
varieties are known : (1) Bhalola (male). It has
a greater quantity of seed in it. (2) Bhambhar
(female). Its use causes headaches. Many
religious mendicants call it by the name of " buti."
Hindus and Hindu religious mendicants call it
also by the name of " sukha" " sawi."
5. Cold climate and hilly tracts are favourable
for the wild growth of hemp.
6. Growth of wild hemp is sometimes dense,
but usually scattered.
7. No cultivation made in the Punjab for the
production of ganja, charas or bhang fibre.
Bhang only is grown.
8 and 9. Nil.
10. Only persons who consume bhang, and
Hindu and Muhammadan religious mendicants
who own culturable plots of land, cultivate hemp
sufficient for their requirements; but this class is
not regarded as hemp cultivators; they are called
agricultural cultivators.
11. Ganja not being used in this part of the
country, no plant of any kind is raised for its
production.
12. No.
13. Ganja not being used in this part of the
country, no plant of any kind is raised for its
production.
14. I do not know anything about it.
18. Ganja is not used in the districts of the
Punjab. Nothing more can be stated regarding
it. Charas keeps good for a year if protected from
the effects of cold weather. It loses half its
effects in the second year; by the third year it is
quite deteriorated and has no effect. Bhang is
similarly situated as charas.
19. Charas is used for smoking. In special
cases luxurious people eat a very small quantity
of it. Ganja does not prevail here.
20. A class of persons known as religious
mendicants of the Hindu and Muhammadan
* Translation.
vol. v.
3 s