53
ligious man. I associate with jogis. I am myself
a jogi if you like. My eye-sight has fallen off
during the last two years. My mind is active.
I have had no recent illness. I smoked ganja
early this morning at my prayers. I was in hos-
pital for one day on the occasion described above.
A fellow musician gave me drugged wine. As
soon as I drank it, Ibecame insensible and swoon-
ed. I do not remember how I was treated by the
doctor. I waked in the morning at prayer time,
and found I had upon me wounds like burns.
These were cured in nineteen days.
26. Evidence of COLONEL J. C. DOVETON, Conservator of Forests, Southern Circle,
Central Provinces.
1. As a Divisional Forest Officer, the Gonds
and Kurkus of the wilder parts of Hoshangabad,
Betul, Nimar, and Chhindwara were constantly
coming under my observation. In later years,
my experience has extended to the Bygas of
Mandla, Balaghat, and Bilaspur, the Marias of
Chanda, and the Gonds residing in the vicinity
of the forests in other districts ; but I have not
had the same opportunity of observing their habits.
20. In the districts of Betul, Hoshangabad,
Chhindwara, and Nimar, between 1864-1869, only
one case of the use of hemp drugs by jungle
tribes (Gonds and Kurkus) came under my ob-
servation. The individual was the head man of a
village, and did not use any of the preparations
in excess. Recently, referring to a body of about
30 of the men working for Government, the
officer in charge observed that " there were 5
who smoked ganja."
21. Though still restricted and in moderation,
the use of hemp drugs by the jungle tribes is
more common than formerly.
Letter from COLONEL DOVETON, published
as an Appendix to his evidence.
I regret that I myself know very little regard-
ing the use of hemp drugs beyond that they are
used to support both men and beasts under fatigue.
In all my wanderings, I have rarely come across
a case of evil results that could be attributed to
the use of preparations of hemp, and this has led
me to infer that, though commonly used, the exces-
sive use of such drugs is chiefly confined to towns
where the inferior classes generally congregate.
With special reference to the jungle tribes
referred to in the Secretary's letter, it may be
said that they, and specially the Bygas of Mandla,
Balaghat and Bilaspur, are fond of spirits; but
it can hardly be said that these people are much
addicted to the use of hemp drugs. Up to about
1870, the use of these drugs was almost unknown,
to those at least in the districts of Hoshangabad,
Betul, Nimar, and Chhindwara.
From 1864 to 1869, in the districts abovemen-
tioned, I was constantly out with large gangs
of the people either for work or sport, and I can
well remember that if by any chance a chillum
was produced that was drugged with any of these
preparations—and this did sometimes happen—
it disgusted the majority of the men present.
That the use of ganja by the jungle tribes is
more common than formerly is certain ; but it is
also tolerably certain that by them it is rarely, if
ever, used to excess.
It is believed that the belief in its properties
for sustaining men under fatigue and exposure
is the chief reason for its use by members of
the jungle tribes in the present day.
In the followi ng extract will be found the
statement of Khan Sahib Mahomed Ghouse,
Extra Assistant Conservator, a Forest Officer who
has had to spend many years of his life among the
jungle tribes :—
" The jungle tribes I know of are as follows:—
(1) Korkoos ; (2) Gonds ; (3) Baigas ; (4)
Kamars ; and (5) Binjwars.
" Korkoos are found chiefly in Betul, Ho-
shangabad, and Nimar districts; Gonds are
scattered over the whole Central Provinces, and
form in two classes, known as Raj Gond and
Pahari Gond ; Baigas are of four classes, but one
class does not differ much from another either in
habits, customs, or the mode of living. They
live chiefly in the hilly portions of Mandla and
Balaghat ; Kamars and Binjwars reside in forests
of Chhattisgarh division.
" Raj Gonds live in populated portions, and
form a part of agricultural community in almost
all districts. They smoke ganja and drink
bhang ; but the consumers of the latter drug are
less in proportion to those of the former.
"The other classes of jungle tribes are fond of
liquor extracted from mohwa flowers.
" Baigas in particular are too much addicted to it,
and sacrifice all they earn for obtaining the drink.
" Ganja or bhang is not much appreciated either
by Baigas or by other jungle tribes. Nevertheless,
some of the men of' these tribes who have happened
to associate frequently with the people come
from the plains get into the habit of smoking
ganja ; but still they consume it in moderation.
" Bhang was never noticed to have been eaten
or drunk by these men. It was probably due
either to its elaborate preparation, or to its being
more expensive than a few pinches of ganja re-
quired for smoking at a time."
27. Evidence of MR. A. E. LOWRIE, Officiating Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Chanda.
districts of the Central Provinces. I have seen
it growing wild in the Dehra Dun district, and.
in the hills beyond Mussoorie, Chakrata, Simla,
and Dalhousie.
4. By the names of ganja, bhang, and charas.
Yes, these refer to the same plant.