367
and dryness of body ; laziness ; insanity (pro-
bably this result is not unfrequent). It is not
considered to produce habits of debauchery, but is
apt to demoralize a man.
49. Yes ; I think so (in the form of a sweet-
meat called majún perhaps) ; and it is stated to
have a distinct stimulating effect on the sexual
organs. Very probably its continued use might
cause impotence ; but I have no evidence of this.
54. I am informed that it is a common belief
that the drugs are so used. I would refer to what
I have said in a note annexed on the subject of its
use by the Sikhs.
55. The sweetmeat prepared from hemp drugs
called majún. I have heard of its being used for
such purposes ; also charas mixed with dhatura.
58. I think the system is satisfactory. There
was indefiniteness in the rules regarding the im-
port of charas ; but this has, I think, been attend-
ed to.
As far as I am aware, there is nothing likely to
extend unduly the sale of hemp drugs ; and the
aim of Government is, doubtless, to keep the sale
of these drugs within necessary limits.
64. I think a heavy import duty on charas
would be beneficial, because it no doubt does more
harm than good in the province.
69. I would open no new shops. None have
been opened for some years in Simla.
If shops are opened anywhere, local public
opinion should must certainly be considered.
70. See paragraph 27.
Brief Note on the system of Excise on
Hemp Drugs in the Simla Hill States,
put in by MR. COLDSTREAM.
1. As in the Government territory of Simla
district so in the Native States ganja is not used
and therefore is not imported.
Charas is imported into Simla district (includ-
ing the Native States) from Hoshiarpur district*
by way of Amballa and Kalka, and sometimes
by way of Nalagarh and Bilaspur. It comes in
varying quantities. Thus in 1892-93 the quanti-
ties imported from Hoshiarpur are reported to
have been as follow :—
Imported into.
Arki (Bāghal State) . .
Bāghat
.
.
. .
Theog
.
.
.
.
Patiala
.
.
.
.
Kyunthal .
.
.
.
Sarmor
.
. .
Jubal
.
.
.
.
Simla Government territory .
TOTAL .
Maunds.
49
14
1
20
11
1
2
13
115
Seers.
19
3
18
14
35
16
33
32
11
Chittacks.
...
...
...
8
2
...
2
5
1
In 1892-93 the imports were quite unusually
large ; this was said to be owing to a fall in the
price stimulating the trade. Some small quanti
ty is imported from Rampur-Baskahr, and Kulu.†
The Kanáwar‡ men generally sell at the Lawwi
Fair§ and in Kulu.
Ganja is not used in the Simla district.
2. Charas, when imported into the Hill States
(from British territory), comes under the pass
form No. 3.
At Hoshiarpur, one copy of the pass is given
to the importer, who must have his consignment
verified in the Simla Collector's Office, another
copy having been sent to the Collector for purpos-
es of check and comparison. After verification,
the consignment may be taken on to the Native
States.
There is no interference by Government in
the passage of charas from one Native State to
another.
In most States the right to sell is farmed out,
or a shopkeeper pays nazrana to the State, and
is then permitted to sell. The largest quantity of
charas goes to Arki,|| ½ anna to 1 anna per tola
being its price there. Arki is considered as the
"maudi" or emporium for sale of charas in these
hills. The dealers of other States generally come
to purchase at Arki ; so more charas is sold there
than in other States.
Note on the use of bhang in the Upper
Sutlej Valley, put in by MR. COLD-
------.
[From information collected by G. G. MINNIKIN,
Esq.]
In Bashahr the Cannabis is found wild and it
is not cultivated. Those of the people who use
bhang as an intoxicant obtain a resin from the
terminal leaves and from the seeds. The leaves
and seeds are rubbed between the palms of the
hands until the resin adheres. It is then rubbed
off and smoked like charas. Each man makes his
own in this way ; and this private manufacture of
the drug in a small way is common in Upper
Kanawar, i.e., in the country east of Wangtu,
but not so common in Lower Kanawar, nor in
Bashahr proper.
No charas is manufactured for sale in the
Bashahr State ; but from 40 to 50 maunds are
every year imported from Yarkand and go to the
Punjab.
In a few villages in Bashahr the ripe seed is
mixed with spirit to make it more intoxicating.
This practice, however, is not common.
* Being imported thither from Yarkand and neighbouring countries.
† This, however, no doubt all comes from the direction of Yarkand, like the charas which comes into Hoshiarpur
district, and thence comes to Simla.
‡ Kanáwar is the upper valley of the Sutlej, in the State of Bashahr. They are great traders.
§ Held at Rampur in the beginning of November.
|| Arki is the capital of the Baghát State 22 miles west of Simla.