404
21. Evidence of SHEIKH DIN MAHOMED KHAN, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Sirsa.
1. I have served in many districts of the Pun-
jab. For about three years, I was Excise Officer
in the Ferczepore district.
2. I have never come across ganja in the pro-
vince; I know nothing about it. Charas is only
known as charas. Bhang is also known as subzi,
sukha and pati. I cannot answer any other parts
of this question.
3. In Hoshiarpur. In Hoshiarpur it is abun-
dant.
4. It is only known as "the bhang tree."
6. Dense.
7. (A) No.
(b) No.
(c) Not as a commercial enterprise. In some
places in the Ferozepur district I have noticed that
fakirs, both Hindu and Musalman, grow a few
yards of bhang in front of their dwelling-houses
for their own use.
(d) No.
10. See 7 (c). I only referred to isolated cases,
and not to classes.
11. Not to my knowledge.
12. No.
14. (a) No.
(b) No.
(c) Yes, in certain places, but I have not suffi-
cient acquaintance with the subject to give evi-
dence on it.
15. (a) Not cultivated in this province.
(b) (A) Not prepared in this province.
(B) People pluck the leaves, boil them down
to extract the essence and then put the essence
into sweetmeats.
(C) The leaves are pounded up in water. Spi-
ces and condiments are added; more water is
then added, and it becomes drinkable.
16. Bhang is generally prepared by people in
their houses. Where it is grown, there it is pre-
pared.
17. No special classes.
18. As far as I know, charas keeps quite good
for one year, When it deteriorates, it loses its
intoxicating effect and becomes injurious to smoker.
I know of no measure to prevent deterioration.
Bhang keeps for two years, if it is kept dry. If it
gets damp, it becomes worthless at once. About
ganja I know nothing.
19. About ganja I know nothing. Charas is
only smoked.
20. About ganja I know nothing.
Regarding charas:—Purabias in large stations.
Fakirs of all kinds all over the province.
21. About ganja I know nothing.
22. No charas is manufactured in this province.
It is imported from Kulu, Yarkand and Ladakh.
23. Not to my knowledge.
24. It is both eaten and drunk, especially in
Multan, Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan,
Bahawalpur and Sikh districts. It is chiefly used
by Sikhs and Brahmins.
25. As far as I know, there is no perceptible
increase or decrease.
26. Charas and bhang.
(a) 33 per cent.
(b) 17 do.
(c) 17 do.
(d) 33 do.
27. About ganja I know nothing. Charas is
chiefly smoked by fakirs of all kinds, who state
that they use it to enable them to devote their
time exclusively to their devotions. As a matter
of fact, they take it for the pleasure of the intoxi-
cation. Bhang is chiefly used by Sikhs and Brah-
mins, and on the frontier by Muhammadans.
They use it for the pleasure of the intoxication.
They pretend that they use it to counteract the
effects of bad climate and water.
28 and 29. I have no special knowledge on
this subject.
30. To begin with, people smoke charas or
drink bhang in private, as it is looked upon as a
disgraceful habit. When they have got accus-
tomed to it, they use them in public without
shame. I have not sufficient knowledge to give
answers to the remainder of this question.
.31. About ganja I know nothing. Charas
smoking is a habit acquired with difficulty. It is
also broken off with difficulty. Bhang-drinking
or eating is easily acquired and broken off. I do
not know enough about the subject to say if there
is danger of the habit becoming excessive in the
case of either charas or bhang.
32. I do not know of any such custom.
33. About ganja I know nothing. Re bhang
those who use it consider it no disgrace but
those who do not, consider it a disgrace. Re charas
every one looks upon its use as a disgrace. In
fact people say—"He is charas smoker, and there-
fore is of no account." True Muhammadans look
upon the use of both bhang and charas as a sin
I know of no custom by which the hemp plant is
worshipped by any class.
34. Re ganja, I know nothing. Re bhang, to
forego it would be a serious privation for some
time to habitual eaters or drinkers, but would not
in my opinion affect their health. To take charas
away from a confirmed charas smoker would be to
deprive him of all his interest in life. I can
give no numbers as I have not sufficient acquaint-
ance with the subject.
35. Re ganja, I know nothing. Bhang could
be prohibited. There is no doubt that it would
be illicitly consumed, as it can in many places be
easily obtained. The prohibition would certainly
cause grave discontent. I foresee no political dan-
ger. Generally speaking bhang-eaters or drinkers
are of the poor classes. They could not afford
alcoholic stimulants, but could take to opium. I do
not know it feasible to prohibit the use of charas.
It would certainly be used illicitly. It could not
be enforced unless it was made a criminal offence
to use it. I foresee no political danger. Charas
smokers would probably take to opium.
36. No. Alcohol is costly and the users of
bhang and charas could not afford it.
37. I know nothing about ganja, and cannot
compare effects.
30. I can only compare charas and bhang.
Charas cannot be eaten or drunk. Bhang cannot be