280
32. The followers of god Siva and of the Hindu
trinity use bhang in the worship of Siva. Ganja
is very seldom used, and charas is never used, for
the said purpose. Bhang is regarded in the wor-
ship of Siva as essential. I am not aware that
ganja is indispensable. I do not think the moder-
ate use of these drugs is injurious, but, of course,
it is by no means advisable to use them.
34. Certainly it would be a serious privation to
consumers to forego the consumption of the drug
they use, as their natural propensities will incline
them to indulge in other stimulants, say, country
liquor or whisky, rum or brandy, or beer. These
articles are more expensive, and the privation will
eventually lead them to utter penury or starvation.
It is no use to deprive them of the use of these
drugs, as long as English or country liquors are
freely sold in the market. Besides, illicit con-
sumption of these drugs will increase rapidly and
affect moral habits of the people. My answer to
this last question will be sufficient for question 35.
36. The rich and middle class people to imitate
European fashion often indulge in liquors, and a
great proportion of them are addicted now-a-days
to this habit. And in proof of this I can only
say that year after year some new liquor shops are
opened.
207. Evidence of HANUMAN PRASAD, Agarwala, Zamindar, Chunar.
1. Information obtained from principal con-
sumers and dealers.
2. I have nothing to add to the names already
enumerated by Dr. Prain, viz., siddhi, bhang,
and charas.
They are known by the very names in this
district. The definitions are exhaustive, and
might be accepted.
3. In the Bahraich district.
4. Bhang, buti, bijia, and subzi.
18. These keep good till one year, after which
the effects are partially lost. Damp and moist
weather destroy its strength. They are wrapped
in straw and kept on teapoy above the ground.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smoking
purposes. Ganja is said to be used for medicinal
purposes.
20. Ganja and charas are generally used by
labouring classes, such as kahars, mushars, and
pasis, etc., as well as by low caste Muhammadans
in the Mirzapur district. Proportion cannot be
ascertained.
21. Flat ganja is generally preferred.
22. Foreign charas imported from Yarkand is
generally used.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking purposes.
24. Bhang is drunk by almost all Hindus
generally in the hot season as a cooling draught.
The proportion cannot be ascertained.
26. There are both habitual and occasional
consumers, but their numbers cannot be known,
27. Labouring classes mainly contribute to the
bulk of consumers. Poor labourers who live
from hand to mouth generally indulge in this
luxury, as it serves to give them impetus to enter
upon their works with redoubled energy and
spirits, as in the absence of which they would be
quite undone, and would not be able to do full
justice to their task.
28. (a) Moderate bhang consumers take three
pies worth of bhang, whilst those of ganja and
charas take one anna each.
(b) Habitual excessive bhang consumers take
bhang worth 4 annas each.
Habitual excessive ganja smokers take ganja
worth 6 annas each.
Habitual excessive charas smokers take charas
worth 6 annas each.
29. Bhang—(a) Black pepper, anise seed, and
sugar. (b) Improved preparation more palatable
according to the taste of consumers, saffron, rose
leaves, and cardamom.
Ganja—(a) Mixed with tobacco. (b) Prepared
tobacco of different scents and flavour.
Charas—(a) Simple preparation of ordinary
tobacco. (b) Sometimes mixed with perfumes as
itr.
Dhatura is rarely used with bhang to make
intoxication more lasting.
30. (a) Invariably in company.
(b) The consumption is mainly confined to the
male sex generally on attaining the age of pu-
berty.
(c) I have not known children ever indulging
in these drugs.
31. (a) and (b) The habit is easily contracted,
but cannot be easily given up.
(c) It leads to a tendency into the excessive by
rapid strides unknown to the consumers.
32. The custom of taking bhang obtains in
these provinces during Holi and Shivratri festivals,
and in Bengal on the Bijaya Dasami day. It is
not excessive on Sivratri, whilst it is sometimes
largely taken in the Holi festivals.
34. It would certainly press hard on them to
give up the habit at once, but it might be done
away with gradually.
35. The habit in general cannot be easily given
up, as it would not be feasible to prohibit all or
any of these drugs. There would be recourse to
illicit consumption, and I know of no means by
which the prohibition may be carried out.
Discontent will certainly prevail more or less
among the consumers, but their number is not so
very large as to warrant the probability of a
political danger being apprehended. The prohibi-
tion, if any, would lead to the increase both under
alcoholic stimulants and other drugs.
40. Bhang is sometimes administered to cattle
as medicine.
41. Bhang acts as stimulant and increases
appetite if taken moderately, whilst ganja and
charas are both bad in their effects.
42. Vide reply against question 41.
43. Not offensive at all.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use of
these drugs on the habitual consumers is almost
nil. It cannot be very refreshing since they are
used to them, nor can intoxication be produced.
Bhang, of course, produces a little appetite, but
of no material effect. The after-effects are