56
clothing, use ganja and charas. These are also
used by fakirs to keep off cold.
29. I have already stated above that ganja and
charas are smoked with tobacco.
I have enumerated the ordinary admixtures of
bhang (vide answer to question No. 15). On
occasions of Holi and in the case of rich and well-
to-do men milk, sugar, badam, and kishmish are
pounded and mixed with bhang, in addition to the
ordinary admixtures, which is generally called
massala or thandai. The object of these admixtures
is to decrease dryness, that is otherwise created in
the throat and to impart flavour. Dhatura is
not mixed with any of the three drugs.
30. Bhang, ganja, and charas are all consumed
in solitude as well as in company. Poorer con-
sumers mark the time of use by richer friends and
acquaintances, and see them at the time in hopes
of getting a share.
The above intoxicant is generally used by
males, and is not generally allowed to children.
No time of life is fixed for its use.
31. The habit of consumption is easily formed,
but is difficult to break off. All the three drugs
have a tendency to develop a moderate habit into
the excessive.
32. The worshippers of Shiva offer the bhang
to Shiva on the Shivaratri day. Bhang is also
prepared generally and drunk on the Holi festival
day by most of those who do not use liquor.
Bhang is boiled in ghi, which is then strained, and
the extract is mixed with sugar and* made into a
sort of barfis. This product is called majum, and
is offered to every visitor whether he consents or
not to eat it. This custom is temperate, and is
resorted to one day in each year. Hence it can-
not create a habit or be otherwise injurious.
33. The use of ganja and charas is regarded as
low, particularly by all non-consumers. I do not
know of anybody who worships the hemp plant
on any occasion.
34. Yes, to the habitual consumer alone for ob-
vious reasons.
The probable number of each class that will be
affected cannot be guessed at.
35. So long as bhang and ganja grow wild,
it would be next to impracticable to prohibit their
use successfully, for in that case the drugs would
be consumed illicitly in the neighbourhood of
tracts where the drugs grow wild. The use of
charas can be stopped, as it is an imported article.
But the prohibition would occasion discontent
among the consumers, though not to such an ex-
tent as to amount to a political danger. The
stoppage of charas would increase the use of ganja,
which would be going from bad to worse. A
very small proportion would adopt liquor in place
of charas and ganja.
36. No.
37. The ganja spoils the lungs much more
quickly and effectively than does the charas.
39. Drinking of bhang is considered much less
injurious than smoking the charas or ganja, both
of which are not known to me to be anywhere
consumed by drinking.
40. I do not know. Bhang is given by way
of medicine to cattle and horses to remove fatigue,
etc.
41. The moderate consumers, whether habitual
or occasional of each of the drugs ascribe (b) and
(c) qualities in the drug they use. But quality
(a) is ascribed to the use of bhang alone.
There is no distinction among the classes of
consumers.
42. None of the drugs is considered harmless.
43. Yes.
44. The bhang consumers use the drug only
once or twice a day. It is said to be refreshing
and creates appetite. Ganja and charas have no
fixed time for their use. They are said to be re-
freshing, but do not create appetite. Use of more
than an ordinary quantity creates intoxication.
None allays hunger except for a short time.
Effect of bhang lasts for 8 to 12 hours, while that
of ganja and charas for not more than an hour.
The after-effects are laziness and a sensation of
pain in joints, which causes an uneasiness that
cannot be removed unless and until the drug is
used again.
45. (a) No, except that ganja and charas might
weaken the lungs.
(b) No, as long as the man remains sufficiently
strong.
(c) and (d) Charas and ganja do so.
(e) No.
(f) The use of all the three drugs deadens the
intellect.
47. No.
48. As above.
49. (a) No.
(b) I do not know.
(d) Ganja and charas are said to have this
effect.
50. As above.
51. No. None in any conceivable degree.
52. As above.
53 and 54. Not, so far as I know.
57. I have never heard of this.
58. The present administration is working well.
59. Does not call for any improvement.
60. Ganja is little or not at all imported in the
western districts of the North-Western Provinces.
The consumers either grow in their houses, or
gather it from the jungle thereof, growing around
their homestead.
61. Charas is not produced in the tract which
I am speaking of.
62. Bhang is not cultivated.
63. I have no objection.
64. None.
68. There are none, nor are such required.
69. Not at present. It would be better to do
so before a new shop is opened.
70. Ganja is the only article that is said to be
imported from Native States into British districts
bordering on them. But importers are severely
dealt with when caught.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—My caste is Kalwar.
Question 16.—I have seen charas prepared
along the banks of the Gogra, which bound the
Nepal and British territories. I have seen it pre-
pared, not generally for sale, in Philibhit and
Kumaon. A little of the Kumaon stuff is sold,
10 seers being brought to Philibhit. These are
the only British districts. It is only prepared for
their own use by the people to a very little extent,
I know it is also prepared in Garhwal. I think