155
from the wild and the cultivated plants. Some-
times they mix dust and ashes with it. Ganja
and charas are mostly used for smoking, and
sometimes they are used for eating, but not so
much as for smoking. Bhang is used for drinking
mixed with "sherbet" (syrup).
16. As far as I know, it is not prepared by the
people in their houses. Yes; but good bhang is
generally produced from the cultivated plants.
Both ganja and charas can be prepared from the
wild plants.
17. By the low cultivating class of people.
18. All the three drugs get spoiled if exposed
to the moisture, specially in the rainy season. It
loses its effects if kept for a long time—a year or
more-without being protected from the effects of
the atmosphere and moisture. The causes of
deterioration are the production of vegetable para-
sites called "phophundi" in it. The deterioration
can be prevented by keeping these drugs in air-
tight bottles, and exposing them to the heat of the
sun now and then in the rainy season.
19. Ganja and charas are mostly used for
smoking. They are used sometimes internally
in the shape of pills for their aphrodisiac effects
and also to produce an intoxicating effect. Both
ganja and charas are used externally, either
mixed with oil, poultices and embrocations for
their anodyne effects in rheumatism and other
painful affections. Most of the oils used by the
natives of India for rheumatism contain ganja and
charas. Both ganja and charas are used for smok-
ing by the fakirs and low class of labourers in al-
most all the provinces of India.
20. Fakirs (beggars) and low labouring classes
mostly Hindus, and to a certain extent Musal-
mans, also use charas and ganja for smoking.
Fakirs about 90 per cent. and labouring classes
about over 50 per cent. smoke charas and ganja.
As for these localities, nearly in almost all the pro-
vinces of India it is used.
21. I cannot specify the kind of ganja preferred
for smoking. Ganja as a whole is used for
smoking.
22. Cannot accurately describe the import of
the drug. It is said to be imported from Nepal
and Kabul.
23. As far as I know, it is not used for smoking.
24. Bhang is used for drinking in the form of
sherbet (syrup) by most of the Hindus of the re-
spectable class, as Brahmans, and also by the mid-
dle classes, as Banias, and low classes, as Kahars,
etc. Of the Brahmans I know the Chaubeys of
Mathra, about 90 per cent., drinking it. Fakirs
of higher orders drink it. Among the Muhamma-
dans it is not used so freely as among the Hindus.
I have witnessed the free use of bhang by the
Hindus at Mathra, Lahore, and at Lucknow. I
do not know any other form of eating bhang
except drinking.
25. Cannot say.
26. In stating this question, I shall divide the
consumers into two classes, viz.:—
(A) Hindus and (B) Mussalmans, and this I am
stating of the city of Lucknow—
1st, bhang drinking—
(A) Hindus-
(a)
*(b)
(c)
(d)
Habitual moderate consumers, 50 per cent.
„
excessive
„
Occasional moderate
„
„
excessive
„
20
„
75
„
35
„
* Of low classes mostly.
2nd, charas and ganja smoking—
(a) 20 per cent.; (b) 15 per cent.; (c) 8 per cent.;
(d) 5 per cent.
(B) 1st, bhang drinking among the Mussalmans,
5 per cent.
† 2nd, ganja and charas smoking, 1, 5 per cent.
27. Most of the people who consume the drugs
in the shape of ganja and charas-smoking belong
to the low labouring classes. In order to remove
their fatigue of labour they consume it, and thus
gradually get on to the habit of smoking of ganja
and charas.
Bhang-drinking, which is carried on more ex-
tensively, is commenced first for the sake of amuse-
ment, and gives them good appetite, and as a
tonic. Better and higher classes of Hindus drink
bhang. Bhang-drinking among the Muhamma-
dans is mostly in low classes.
28. Cannot describe.
29. Cannot say.
30. To a great extent the consumption of these
drugs, specially bhang, is practised in solitude,
and this mostly among the higher classes. Charas
and ganja-smoking is practised in public and by
the lower classes. Mostly to the male sex and
about the middle of life. Females and children are
rarely known to use or consume any of these
drugs.
31. It is easily formed, and is difficult to break
off. There is always a tendency to develop a
habit into excessive.
32. It is mostly a social custom, and very sel-
dom among the fakirs or religious. Among the
Chaubes of Mathra it is a custom to congregate
on the bank of the Jumna river and drink bhang;
also in their wrestling ground called "akharas"
they drink bhang. These Chaubes, who are Brah-
mans, seldom or never smoke ganja or charas.
Among them, as well as among most Hindus, the
consumption of the bhang is moderate—very sel-
dom excessive. Very likely they form a habit,
and very seldom in old consumers insanity and
impotency are brought on.
33. Among the Hindus, from a religious and
social point of view, the consumption of bhang in
a moderate quantity is not considered a sin.
Among the Mussalmans it is strictly prohibited to
consume it in any form. Charas and ganja-smok-
ing both among the Hindus and Mussalmans, from
a social point of view, is considered a low and bad
habit. I know of no custom of worshipping the
hemp plant on any occasion by any sect of people.
34. I think not. To a certain extent the habi-
tual consumers may suffer on account of their
system getting habituated to its use.
35. It is quite feasible to prohibit the use of all
these drugs. Most probably these drugs will be con-
sumed illicitly. To a certain extent there will be
an occasion for discontent among the consumers.
Most probably prohibition will be followed by re-
course to alcoholic stimulants and opium.
36. Cannot state positively.
37. Not much. Charas is stronger in its effects
than ganja.
38. Cannot say.
39. Moderate drinking of bhang is less injurious
than smoking of charas or ganja, for smoking
produces stronger effects than drinking, and it in
course of time might give rise to lung disease, such
as asthma, bronchitis, etc.
† N. B.—Ganja and charas, both among the Hindus and
Musalmans, are used by the low classes.
vol. v.
QA 2