375
Hoshiarpur district. Formerly it was imported from
Afghanistan.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking in this dis-
trict.
24. All classes of the population are represented
among the bhang-drinkers—Baloches, Jats,
Hindus, etc. Eaters are comparatively few.
Among the Baloches the use of bhang is of long
standing, and is alluded to in ballads of the 15th-
16th centuries. Mir Chakar, the leader of the
Baloches in their invasion of the plains of India,
is said to have made a bhang cup of an enemy's
skull. There is comparatively little bhang con-
sumed in the Mazari tribe.
25. There is nothing to show that any increase
is taking place. There may, on the contrary, be a
decrease, as one Baloch tribe of importance (the
Khosa tribe) has lately resolved to give up the use
of bhang.
26. One-tenth of the population, viz., 40,000
out of 4,00,000, is stated to use bhang to some
extent, and of these, they may be roughly classi-
fied as follows :—
(a) 13,000.
(b) 2,500.
(c) 24,000.
(d) 500.
27. It is impossible to give details, but there is
no doubt that the habitual excessive consumers are
generally persons of bad character—fakirs, prosti-
tutes, etc. A good deal of bhang is consumed
by the frequenters of shrines, temples, dharmsalas,
etc.
28. (a) ¼ tola of bhang, cost ¼ pie, or 6 ratis
of charas per diem, cost 3 pies.
(b) 1 to 2 chittaks of bhang, cost 1 anna; ½
tola of charas per diem, cost 2 annas.
29. (a) Ordinarily nothing.
(b) Exceptionally by well-to-do persons, sugar,
almonds, cardamoms, aniseed, peppers, keser, kas-
turi and milk are mixed with bhang to make it
milder. Dhatura is so used only by Saivas at
temples of Mahadeva at the festival of Sheoratri,
Charas is occasionally smoked mixed with to-
bacco.
30. The use of bhang is generally practised in
company. It is not common except among young
men. Women, with the exception of prostitutes,
seldom take it, but in Rojhan, other classes of
women are said to use it. Children hardly ever.
The use of charas is probably entirely confined to
men.
31. The habit of bhang-drinking is said to be
easily formed and easily broken off, while the
habit of smoking charas is formed and abandoned
with comparative difficulty. I am unable to say
whether there is a tendency for the moderate habit
to develop into the excessive or not.
32. The custom of drinking bhang at the Sheo-
ratri appears to be considered a religious duty by
one sect of Hindus.
The moderate use of bhang, as a refreshing drink
in hot weather, is very prevalent, but is not re-
garded as a duty. This is apparently harmless.
It is often taken in a diluted form as a stimulant
previous to starting on journeys, and is considered
strengthening.
33. The moderate use of bhang in the manner
here described, is not considered disreputable, but
the excessive and habitual use is regarded with
disfavour, as leading to indolence, loss of memory,
etc.
Charas-smoking is considered disreputable.
The hemp plant is never worshipped.
34. There seems to be no doubt that habitual
consumers of bhang, especially those much ad-
dicted to the habit, would for a time feel its stop-
page severely.
35. I do not think that the prohibition of the
use of bhang would be effective. It would cer-
tainly be consumed illicitly, and the prohibition
would cause discontent. I am not prepared to
say that such discontent would amount to a poli-
tical danger, except in so far as all unnecessary
interference with the habits of the people must
I cause dissatisfaction with the Government.
(a) Alcohol might be substituted for bhang.
The prohibition of charas might be enforced
more easily, and would not cause discontent among
any important section of the people.
36. Not as far as I know.
39. Smoking is generally considered more in-
jurions than drinking bhang. I can give no
reasons.
40. Bhang is prescribed by Yunani Hakims,
and it is also used in the treatment of cattle
disease.
43. Apparently quite inoffensive.
44. Bhang is said to be refreshing in its imme-
diate effects and to stimulate appetite. Intoxica-
tion comes on half an hour after use, and lasts
about an hour and a half.
Charas is said to allay hunger. It produces
immediate intoxication, which lasts a shorter time
than that arising from bhang.
45 to 50. I am unable to answer questions 45
to 50.
51. I am unable to trace any connection with
crime in general, but crimes of violence may be
caused by excess in bhang, I believe.
53. There seem to be occasional cases of this
sort. The case of the Empress versus Kalu Khan
Khosa is a case in point. He stabbed a man with
whom he had no previous quarrel when under the
influence of bhang. See judgment of Sessions
Judge, Derajat, dated 22nd February 1893. This
case has been before the Punjab Government on
an application for reprieve, and is interesting, as
having been used as a means to get the Khosa
tribe of Baloches to give up the use of bhang.
The case of the Empress versus Waltu Ram,
decided by the Sessions Judge, Derajat, on 2nd
November 1889, bears on the same point.
54. I have heard this stated, but have never
met with a case.
55. I have never heard of such a case. Com-
plete stupefaction is possible, but dhatura would
be the favourite drug in such a case.
56. The only instance I know of the admixture
of dhatura is its use at the Sheoratri, as stated
under No. 29.
58. I think that the system works well on the
whole, but that it is capable of improvement as
noted below.
59. The point which requires attention is the
regulation of the cultivation : at present there is
no system of control, and there is consequently
little check on illicit dealing. This affects the
contractors and diminishes the Government rev-
enue.