514
89. Evidence* of VIRU MAX RAM SARAN, Khatri, Licensed vendor of Opium and
Drugs, Amritsar.
1. I am a license-holder, and carry on trade with
Ladakh.
3. The hemp plant grows spontaneously in
Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Jullundur districts.
4. It is known by the names of sabzi, buti and
bijya.
6. Ordinarily dense.
7. (c) For use as bhang.
14. (c) Majum is prepared from bhang.
18. Charas keeps good for one year, after which
it deteriorates in the rainy season. In cold climates
it keeps good for a little longer.
20. Sadhus and fakirs, no matter where they
live, smoke the drugs.
22. Charas imported from Yarkand is the one
chiefly used.
24. Sadhus, fakirs and Nihangs drink bhang.
25. The use of charas and bhang is on the in-
crease.
67. Increase of tax on charas will result in a de-
crease of the Yarkand trade.
* Translation.
90. Evidence of KAHN CHAND AND MOHAN LAL , Khatri, Licensed vendors
of Opium and Drugs, Amritsar.
The evidence of these witnesses is the same as that of No. 89, and is not reprinted.
91. Evidence* of KIDAR NATH AND KUNDAN LAL, Khatri, Licensed vendors of
spirituous Liquors and General Merchants, Amritsar.
1. Since a long time we have been licensed ven-
dors of the spirituous liquors, and have also been
carrying on trade with Ladakh and Yarkand.
3. Hemp plant grows spontaneously and in
abundance in the Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Jul-
lundur districts.
4. That plant is known here by the names of
sabzi, buti and sardai.
6. Dense.
7. In Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Jullundur
districts hemp plant is used for the production of
bhang only.
9. Hemp plant grows spontaneously along the
banks of rivers and lakes.
14. In this district there is very little consump-
tion of majum, which is prepared from bhang,
16. Bhang is not prepared in these cities (sic).
17. Charas is prepared at Yarkand by the zamin-
dars.
18. Charas deteriorates if kept longer than one
year. After three years it becomes quite useless.
The only measure which can to some extent prevent
charas from deteriorating is to keep it in cold
countries. Hot climate spoils it altogether.
19. Charas is smoked in a huka.
20. Sadhus and fakirs, no matter where they
live, smoke charas excessively.
22. Charas imported from Yarkand is the one
chiefly used.
23. No.
24. Bhang is consumed by Nihangs and Sikhs,
who are to be found everywhere.
25. The use of charas and bhang is on the in-
crease.
30. These drugs are chiefly used in company.
31. The habit of consuming bhang is easily
formed. It is difficult to break off.
32. Moderate consumption of these drugs is less
injurious than the excessive use.
34. To forego the consumption of charas will be
a serious privation to sadhus and fakirs, who are
habitual consumers.
35. The prohibition of all these drugs will be
followed by recourse to other intoxicants, such as
liquor, etc.
36. Alcohol is not at present being substituted
for any of these drugs.
40. Bhang is used in treatment of certain
diseases of men and cattle.
* Translation.
92. Evidence* of GOBIND RAM, Khatri, Licensed vendor of Charas and Bhang,
Amritsar.
1. As I have been carrying on trade with Yar-
kand, and am a licensed vendor of charas and bhang,
I am well acquainted with the matters connected
with the above-named drugs.
2. As no variety of ganja is used in the Punjab,
the information regarding it should be obtained
from Hindustan.
3. The hemp plant grows spontaneously in the
* Translation.