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84. Evidence * of RAI SINGH , Sikh, Retired Resaldar of India Horsey Lahore.
After full consideration of the subject, I arrive
at the conclusion that the practice of charas-smok-
ing is ancient among the people of the Punjab, and
that the drug is imported from Yarkand and Lad-
akh. At first the practice was prevalent among
the fakirs and sadhus (Hindu mendicants) only, but
it has since found its way among other classes of
people also. Charas-smoking is indeed injurious.
Chandu-smoking is not an old practice in this pro-
vince. The evil has crept into the Punjab from
Lucknow and other cities of India This drug (?)
is first used by the people as an aphrodisiac, and
possibly with some beneficial result; but afterwards,
when the habit is formed, the drug does not produce
any such effect. On the contrary it proves very
injurious and completely ruins the health of the
consumer. The consumption of the drug is not
based on any religious custom.
The same is the case with ganja
Bhang-drink-
ing is common in the Punjab. The way in which
it is consumed is absolutely harmless. Its consump-
tion is not regarded so disreputable as that of
ganja or chandu, the reason being that bhang is
generally drunk as a cooling beverage on the
occasions of religious festivities. The ingredients,
such as almonds, poppy seeds, cardamom, black
pepper, musk-melon seeds, milk, etc, are mixed
with bhang to counteract its arid effect. Generally
speaking, the use of bhang is not injurious to
health; its moderate use is rather beneficial
in the hot weather. If drunk after being mixed
with the ingredients, it not only quenches thirst,
but also diminishes flatulance and the excessive heat
of the body. In my opinion it is not necessary to
place any restrictions on bhang. Manufacture and
sale of charas and chandu, except for medicinal use,
should, however, be strictly prohibited. The
Government would do a great favour to the people by
I prohibiting the use of charas and chandu. Indeed,
J a sudden stoppage will occasion discontent among
the consumers. It would therefore, be advisable
for Government to proclaim that the sale of these
drugs will be stopped after one year from the date
of the proclamation, and that in the meantime the
consumers should endeavour to forego the practice,
so that they might not feel privation at the close
of the year. In this way no inconvenience will be
felt by the consumers, and the Government will
obtain its object to the advantage of the public.
85. Evidence* of BHAGAT HIRA NAND, Rawal Pindi.
1. My information of the hemp drugs is derived
from the following sources: —
My relatives have often been as excise contrac-
tors in the Rawal Pindi, Peshawar, Abbottabad,
and other districts.
I worked as a Nazir at Rawal Pindi from 1862
to 1865, and accompanied the Mission of Sir
Thomas D. Forsythe to Yarkand in 1873-74, and
was placed in charge of the Treasury, Toshekhana,
and the supplies (of the Mission?).
When Sir Thomas returned to India with
column 1 of the Mission, and Colonel (afterwards
General) Gordon had gone to Badakshan and
Pamir, I was then, during the absence of the
Colonel, placed in charge of the employes of the
Mission at Yarkand for nearly one and a half
week, during which period I had to carry on
correspondence with the Yarkand chiefs.
2. Prior to the British rule a species of charas
called " bokhara," which was black and glossy in
colour, and used to be imported from Bokhara,
was generally consumed by the people in this
country.
Since the establishment of British rule this
species has ceased to be imported, and another
species, named " garda" (prepared from the bhang
grown in Kashmir), began to be imported in its
place. This species, and especially that prepared at
Kakapur in Kashmir, was much liked by the people
of Peshawar and Kabul, but it was imported into
India in small quantities. Since the Yarkand
charas began to be imported, the demand for both
the said species has ceased. I well remember that
the charas of Yarkand began to be imported in
1852. Sardar Tara Singh, who is a near relative
of mine, and was the first among the Hindu traders
who travelled to Yarkand, has been dealing in
charas for 20 or 25 years.
3. Bhang is not cultivated here, but grows
spontaneously in the Punjab. It grows abundant
ly in Kashmir and also in the Sialkot district. In
Yarkand there were bhang fields which looked as if
they had been cultivated. The distance between the
plants was 2 or 3 feet each, and the height of each
plant was not above 3 or 4 feet. The upper part of
the plants appeared to be bent, and the leaves
differed a little in shape from those of the Indian
hemp plant.
4. The hemp plant is known by the name of
bhang. It is also called by the names sukkha,
subji, and bijya; and the latter name appears to be
a Sanskrit word.
5. In my opinion, the bhang of the best quality
is produced on elevations like Kashmir (Valley).
It generally grows in low lands where water
accumulates, or at the skirt of hills, or along the
banks of streams or streamlets.
6. If the rainfall is excessive, the wild hemp
grows densely, otherwise sparingly. There is no
special reason for its growth being dense or sparse.
7. So far as I know, the hemp plant is not
cultivated in the Punjab.
8 to 13. These questions do not concern this
province.
14. Charas is nowhere prepared in the Punjab.
Bhang, however, grows here spontaneously.
15 to 17. These questions do not concern this
province.
18. Charas deteriorates if kept for a long time,
and it gradually losees all strength if kept for four
or five years. If kept in a hot place during the hot
weather, or in the open air, it deteriorates sooner.
Bhang one year old is considered good, but it be-
comes altogether useless after four or five years.
19. Charas is only smoked. If, however, a con-
sumer cannot by chance get a huka, he would then,
in order to satisfy his craving, eat it, but this is
done very rarely. Some persons who cannot
* Translation.