479
is said to be easily formed, and it is difficult to
break off.
82. There is no social or religious custom in
regard to the consumption of these drugs among
Musalmans. The use of any intoxicating drug is
condemned by the Muharamadan law.
88. The consumption of each of these drugs is
regarded by Musalmans as unlawful.
84. It would not be a serious privation to con-
sumers to forego the consumption of the drug they
use. They would feel it hard for a day or so to
be deprived of it.
35. I do not think it would he possible to pro-
hibit the use of any of these drugs. It would be
lessened and practised secretly by imposing re-
strictions on them. The prohibition is not likely
to occasion any serious discontent, nor would it
amount to a political danger. The prohibition is
also not likely to be followed by recourse to alco-
holic stimulants or other drugs.
86. I do not think that alcohol is now being
substituted for any of these drugs, as most of those
who use bhang belong to the lowest and poorest
part of the community, who cannot afford to
substitute alcohol for any of these drugs.
43. Yes; they are inoffensive to their neigh-
bours.
44. It does not produce intoxication, but it
makes man stupid and dull.
45. It has not come to my personal knowledge
or experience that the moderate use of it has caused
any physical, mental, or moral evil effects, though
cases occasionally come to notice in which the
excessive use of it has produced evil effects, princi-
pally insanity.
46 to 70. I am, from my own experience, un-
able to reply to the remaining questions, nor is
there anyone in the district who can do so.
67. Evidence* of SHEIKH RAIZ HUSSAIN, Kuraishi, Zamindar, Multan.
1. I have no personal experience about the use
of these drugs, and I have derived my informa-
tion from the circumstances of the consumers.
1. Ganja is neither imported into Multan nor
consumed here.
Charas is imported from Yarkand and from
other places is Khurasan
3. Hemp plant grows spontaneously in abund-
ance in the Jullundur, Jammu, Rawalpindi, Simla,
Amritsar, Kangra, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and
other hilly countries. It also grows wild in
native gardens.
4. It is known by the following names :—
Bhang, sardai, thaudai, sabzi, sukha, buti, warni,
kanwal patti, surkh naini, and turra.
The following kinds of the hemp plant are
strong intoxicants : kuhi, balola or danadar bhang,
bratha or bardana green leaves of bhang which
are parched; and nagni which is cultivated on soil
manured with the remains of snakes.
5. For the wild growth of the hemp plant
excessive rainfall, humid and cold climates, damp
and soft soils are necessary.
6. Generally dense.
7. (a) and (b) No.
(c) Yes.
(d) No.
It is culivated round villages and large towns
and native gardens.
8. In this district the produce of bhang is very
small, because the hemp imported from the hilly
districts is preferred on account of its being a
strong intoxicant.
9. The hemp plant is cultivated in October-
November, February-March and July-August.
Soft soil is prepared for it; the grass in it is
destroyed, the laud is manured, and then it is
watered after sowing the seed. It is also watered
afterwards, and the plant is ready within three
to five months.
10. There is no special class of cultivators in
this district. It is generally cultivated by the
consumers themselves.
11 to 13. No.
14. (a) and (b) No.
(c) Bhang is prepared throughout the province.
15. Ganja and charas are not prepared at all in
this province.
Bhang is prepared by the following methods :—
(A) It is smoked in a huka instead of tobacco,
and it affects the brain at once; (B) it is prepared
for eating (1) by mixing the bhang powder with
sugar and straining it through a cloth ; (2) by
preparing sweetmeats with the admixture of bhang
for purposes of intoxication ; (3) by extracting
the juice of bhang after boiling it with ghi and
water, and preparing it in the form of majun
adding sugar to it; and (4) by pounding it with
water and thereafter adding milk and sugar to it.
16. Ganja is not prepared. People generally
prepare bhang in their houses from the hemp
plant wherever grown.
17. People generally prepare the drugs in takias
Hindu temples, and dharmsalas. In large cities
there are bhmgar-khanas or places where bhang is
always kept available for drinking, and people use
it at the premises after paying for it. At such
places charas is also available for use.
18. Ganja is not imported here. Charas keeps
good for a year, and thereafter commences losing
its effects; and it completely deteriorates after
five or six years. Bhang loses its effects after
three years, and after four years, becomes quite
useless. By ordinary care it keeps good for a year.
The cause of its deterioration is that the dust
which it contains damages it ; but if it be kept in
an airy place, there is less chance of its deteriora-
tion.
19. Ganja is not imported nor consumed here.
Charas is smoked, and well-to-do persons extract
its juice by frying it in ghi and use that juice for
eating.
20. Among Musalmans, musicians, kanjars,
and among Hindus (purbia) syces, Khatris,
Brahmins, sadhus and shopkeepers generally use
charas. People of other castes also, such as
sweepers, Pathans and menials, use charas. The
Translation.