28
ras, Kurmis, Lodhis are among the castes that
are prohibited the use of liquor and so use ganja.
Good bhang I have already said should be made
more available. It would reduce the use of ganja
as bhang, and also the use of spirituous liquor
among the higher classes. Ordinary ganja used
as bhang is more injurious than good bhang.
The higher classes would also smoke ganja less.
They would also take liquor less. All this
would. in my opinion. be a change for the better.
15. Evidence of SYED MOHAMED HUSAIN, Extra Assistant Commissioner ; Diwan,
Khairagarh State.
1. My information about hemp drugs is chiefly
based upon my experience of about twenty years
as a Revenue and Judicial officer in the Central
Provinces, holding the various posts of Naib
Tahsildar, Tahsildar and Extra Assistant Com-
missioner. Recently my services have been lent
to the Khairagarh State by the Government
for appointment as the Diwan of the State. In
my judicial capacity, I have often had to inspect
the excise shops, to arrange for the sale of
intoxicating drugs, and to investigate into the
crimes against the Excise Act. Besides, during
the course of my studies, I had the opportunity
to study medicine, as is taught by the hakims.
It (my information) is based upon such inform-
ation as I could now gather from the bairagis,
who are addicted to the use of hemp drugs, and
who visit this State during the rainy season. I
have especially dealt with questions in the
chapters V and VI with which I was much
acquainted.
2. The definition of Dr. Prain can be adopted
in these provinces. Bhang has got the different
names of booti, bhajia, and thandai (cool drink).
Flat ganja is called " baluchur." A large
collection of round ganja, is called a " joori,"
while smaller ones "charpa."
18. Ganja does deteriorate by keeping, and
when kept long enough loses its effect altogether.
It might keep good for three years at most with
ordinary care. The chief causes of deterioration '
are damp, exposure to rains, to be moth eaten.
It also deteriorates by being broken into minute
particles. The effect is also lessened by constant
exposure to weather. The special measure taken
to prevent deterioration of ganja is to keep it in
a closed room on a wooden platform, high enough
from the ground between the strata of grass.
The same is the case with bhang, but to prevent
deterioration it is kept in dholee (a kind of
bamboo basket). Charas is kept in leather bags
and wooden "dabbas."
19. Ganja is for the most part used for smok-
ing. But as "bhang" is rare in the Central
Provinces, people use "ganja" instead in the
following forms :
—
(1) They take a certain quantity of " ganja,"
wash it out, grind it, and take it with
milk or water as they like. When taken
with milk, it is called "dudh-bhanga."
(2) When "ganja" is taken with sweetmeats
it is called " majum."
(3) Ganja is roasted in clarified butter with
the followin g ingredients :—Sugar, chi-
rounji, almond, cocoanut, date, cardamom
and saffron. When this is done, it is re-
duced to powder and used. This is called
" gooramba." Ganja with pepper and
other spices is mixed with "chana" flour
and cakes are made of it, which they call
" bhajia." This kind of use is limited to
Mahratta Brahmins.
20. Generally ganja is smoked by the low class
people in the Central Provinces, such as Hindu
mendicants, bairagis, gosains, etc. It is used
by the criminal tribes, Pasi, Baria, Khangar and
Kunjar. It is also prevalent to a little extent
among the Chhattris and low class Muhammadans,
such as Kunjras and Pinjaras, etc., but the latter
use it very rarely. Charas is not at all in use
here. Only some immigrants from the North-
Western Provinces use it. One man in every 300
smokes gajna.
21, Flat ganja is preferred to the other kinds
in the Central Provinces. They call it baluchur.
But as it is difficult to obtain it ; round is used
instead of it. Chur is regarded as the most
inferior.
22, Charas is not in use in these provinces, but
I have seen at home (Oudh) that smokers prefer
native charas.
23. Bhang is not smoked ; if done so it causes
no intoxication.
24. Bhang is not so prevalent in the Central
Provinces as in the North-Western Provinces.
Its use is for the most part confined to cities and
towns. Bhang is generally used by the middle
classes such as the Brahmins, Chhattris, etc. The
moderate use of bhang is not looked upon as a
mean thing, and the Hindu religion does not
forbid its use. In the hot weather people take it
as a cooling drink. The upper classes use it more
than any other preparation of hemp.
25. The consumption of " ganja" is gradually
decreasing. I attribute this decrease to the
following reasons :
—
(1) The use of ganja is regarded as the nearest
way of intoxication and as the people grow
more enlightened, they knock off this ser-
vile habit.
(2) The use of its price can also account for
the decrease.
(3) Ganja smoking seems to be giving way to
alcohol, bhang, opium and madak. Those
whose religion does not insist upon total
abstinence from alcohol take to drinking,
while the rest either smoke madak or drink
bhang.
(4) The use of bhang is increasing. This is
due to its not being regarded as deroga-
tory. The Hindus of middle and high
classes, who abstain from alcohol, make use
of it in company of their friends.
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