(a) The hemp plant is cultivated for the pro
- d u c t i o n o f g a n j a i n t h e K h a n d w a T a h s i l o f t h e
Nimar District of the Central Provinces, and also
very widely in the Feudatory State of Bastar.
8. There has been considerable fluctuation in
the area for the cultivation of ganja in the Nimar
District of the Central Provinces, where only it is
permitted to be cultivated. The area under culti
-vation for the last four years is as under—
See Excise Report for
<br/>1892-93, page 25.
1888-89. 1889-90. 1890-91. 1891-92.
Acres.
940
Acres.
993
Acres.
520
Acres.
653
1888-89. 1889-90. 1890-91. 1891-92. 1892-93.
Maunds. Maunds. Maunds. Maunds. Maunds.
9,827
11,116 7,237
6,684
6,685
15. Ganja for smoking is prepared in the
Nimar District only, and the methods adopted in
the preparation of cultivated ganja are not very
different from those practised in the preparation
o f f l a t g a n j a i n E a s t e r n B e n g a l .
16. In the Central Provinces the hemp plant
cannot be grown, nor any of its narcotic properties
prepared, without pain of punishment under the
Excise Act. Bhang is not therefore prepared by
the people in their houses, but I think they can
do so easily if they are allowed to grow the plant
in their houses.
17. If permitted to grow the hemp plant freely
without any Government restriction, I am sure
122
and in 1892-93, it was 940 acres. No other
reason can be given for this normal resumption in
1893, except that the cultivators found it a most
remunerative concern and that there was a great
demand for the commodity in the market.
9. The methods of cultivation are more or less
similar to those which are in vogue in Eastern
Bengal. This is what I have heard.
10. The persons who cultivate hemp for its
narcotic properties do not form a special class.
They are the same as other agricultural cultivators
so far as I have been able to ascertain.
11. I have never heard of the seed of wild hemp
being used for the cultivation of ganja.
12. I have no reason to suppose so. Can give
none. It cannot be, as wild hemp is not cultiva
- t e d f o r t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f g a n j a .
13. ( a) Yes, it is. To the district fo Nimar
only. It is not common to all districts of the
Central Provinces.
( b) I have not been able to study this question.
( c) The cultivation of ganja in any part of the
Central Provinces would not be impossible. As
a matter of fact it used to be cultivated in the
Nagpur District, where a certain field to this day
goes by the name of "ganja ka khet." Before
the British rule, it could be sown with impunity
in any individual's house. No restriction whatso
-ever was laid in the Raja's time on the cultivation
of ganja. The same practice obtains now in some
of the protected Native States of India.
14. Yes.
(a) Ganja is prepared in the Nimar District
and at Bastar.
(b ) and (c) Charas and bhang are not produced
anywhere.
The quantity of ganja produced in the Nimar
District is as under for the last five years as per
Excise Report for 1892-93—
almost all classes of people who desire to use the
hemp plant drug would prepare it.
18. Ganja, I am informed, deteriorates by being
kept loose in an open place. It is said to lose its
effect in time. With ordinary care ganja keeps
good for about a couple of years. Cold air and
damp. In order to prevent deterioration ganja
should be well packed up in hampers, covered
over with thick cloth, and kept in a dry place.
19. Charas is not imported into the Chanda
District at all. But ganja is used for smoking;
in preparing a cold drink called "bhang" in those
places where bhang properly so called is not avail
- a b l e ; i n p r e p a r i n g a p o w d e r c a l l e d " p a n j a r i " ;
is used in the preparation of a sweet called
"majum"; is used in the preparation of a confec
- t i o n c a l l e d " y a k u t i ; " i s u s e d w i t h t h e d o u g h
prepared for a savoury patty called "vada;" is used
with the dough prepared for a savoury patty
called "bhajas;" is used for a savoury preparation
called "chivda."
The last three are prepared on certain festive
occasions especially by the Dhakani people.
Majum is prepared in some districts of the
Central Provinces, but its preparation is known all
over India. I have seen it personally myself,
though I have not used it. I have heard of its
freaky effects.
20. Ganja is smoked by—
(1) 75 per cent. of bariagis, gosains and jogis.
(2) 50 per cent. of fakirs and Pasis. The
latter are known in these parts as "Rangdas."
(3) 10 per cent. of Pardesis from the North-
Western Provinces; 10 per cent. of Gonds and
other classes.
This is the case all over British India, and the
proportion may be decreased for the population of
Chanda.
21. The people of these provinces do not under
- s t a n d m u c h a b o u t t h e d i f f e r e n t v a r i e t i e s o f g a n j a .
Suffice it that which gives them the greatest in
- t o x i c a t i o n i s t h e b e s t g a n j a .
It may be noted that only Khandwa ganja is
used licitly, and that people ask for "kalli dar
ganja" for smoking.
22. Charas is not imported at all into the
Central Provinces, so far as I have been able to
learn.
23. I have not heard of bhang being used for
smoking.
24. A beverage called bhang is prepared from
"bhang" properly so called, and is in special
favour with many classes of Hindus. This drink
is resorted to especially in the hot season. Brah
-mins, Marwaris, Pardesis and others use it, parti
- c u l a r l y i n t h e f o u r m o n t h s o f t h e h o t s e a s o n . 5 0
per cent. of Marwaris and Pardesis, and 5 per
cent. of other classes.
I have heard of bhang being also eaten with
other articles.
25. From what I have been able to ascertain
the use of ganja is on the increase in the Central
Provinces. The reason is not very far to seek.
In the first place, it is very cheap compared with
the price of country liquor. Secondly, it is easily
obtained and consumed. Thirdly, it can be used
by all classes of the Hindu community without
incurring religious excommunication. For in
- s t a n c e , a B r a h m i n w o u l d b e p u t o u t o f c a s t e i f h e
drank liquor, but he would not be outcasted if he
smoked ganja, drank bhang, or ate opium, or any
R 2