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50. Evidence of MODAN MOHAN SET H , Honorary Magistrate, Jubbulpore.
1. I had been ganja and bhang retail sale and
wholesale contractor of several districts for several
years. As great quantities of ganja and bhang
used to be given in charity since sixty or seventy
years, consequently I had an opportunity of ob-
taining information from person of different classes
and of different provinces, who used the drugs, and
with whom I had a talk about its consumption,
etc. They were also supplied food and clothing
as required, and. therefore full information was
obtained from them. We also use bhang on
Hindu festivals, such as Shivratri, etc. In olden
times people used to cultivate the drugs and con-
sume them.
2. Ganja is obtained from ganja trees and
probably charas too, but as it is not obtainable
in these districts, it is heard that charas is obtain-
ed from ganja trees. The dry leaves of ganja
are not called bhang. If bhang is not obtain-
able, ganja leaves are used instead, but they
create much heat, and therefore they are burnt
or thrown away. The consumers of ganja pick
out the flowers only and throw away the leaves and
seeds. Bhang is of two kinds : (1) Bahraich, (2)
Duba. The former is of yellow colour and pro-
duces moderate intoxication, and the latter is of
green colour and produces much intoxication.
Ganja has three names, namely, round, flat and
chur. They are thus defined : round is called
kali ; flat, baluchar ; and chur, pitar. Ganja is
manufactured as above stated. Some persons in
some places take out the flowery tops of the green
trees and dry them on fire and use them.
3. In these days ganja chur, pitar, is grown
at Khandwa, Nagpur and Raipur. Bhang, cha-
ras, and baluchar ganja is grown in east and
west provinces.
4. There is only one tree that produces ganja,
but it bears different names, viz., ganja shankar
bodh, turatanand, and shighra bodh, etc.
5. The growth is ordinarily a scattered one.
6. No ganja is cultivated in my district.
7. Ganja is cultivated in smaller quantities in
these provinces than in former days. The reason
is that in these days no place was specially fixed
for the purpose, and every cultivator used to cul-
tivate it wherever he liked. It is specially culti-
vated in the districts mentioned in answer 3.
9. Ganja plant grows everywhere except hilly
places. There is a nursery of ganja plants, and
when ready they are transplanted.
10. No particular class of cultivators cultivate
ganja, but every one can do this without exception.
13. Ganja can grow on every kind of soil,
and the climate which is beneficial for rabi crops
is suitable for it. Ganja can grow on each and
every part of the district, except rocky and hilly
tracts.
14. No ganja, bhang, produced in the district
since restricted by the Government.
15. Ganja is prepared for smoking in the follow-
ing manner : the ganja leaves, seeds, and sticks
are thrown away ; dry tobacco with a little water
is mixed up, and then smoked in chillums.
Bhang is washed and powdered with pepper and
sugar, etc., and then drunk. Some persons bruise
it and roast it with ghee, and then mix it with
almonds, cardamoms, etc., and eat it; and some
drink it with milk, sugar, kesar, almonds, poppy
seeds, rose flower, kakri seeds, sonf, and kasni, etc.,
vol. vi.
after straining. Some boil it with ghee and pre-
pare majun from it. Some drink it with anar
juice, orange juice, curd, and sugarcane juice.
16. Bhang is prepared and drunk generally by
the people in their houses. Bhang cannot be ob-
tained from ganja trees.
18. Ganja and bhang are damaged by rains.
Charas can remain good for nearly two years.
Nothing can prevent deterioration.
19. Ganja, charas, and bhang are used for
medicinal purposes for persons and cattle. The
oil of ganja seeds is useful for rheumatic pains.
The use of ashes of ganja seeds is effectual for
cough, etc.
20. Ganja and charas are smoked by fakirs and
other persons. Amongst the former nearly 75
per cent. and the latter nearly 40 per cent. consume
the drugs. N early 10 out of 100 are Brahmans
and Chatris, and 30 out of 100 are persons of
other classes.
21. Preference is given to baluchar (flat kind of
ganja) and next to it is round. Here both kinds
are liked.
23. Bhang is not use for smoking.
24. Nearly every class of people drink bhang to
an extent of 90 per cent., out of which 10 per cent.
are habitual drinkers.
25. The use of ganja and bhang is on the
decrease in these provinces for two reasons :—(1)
because it is getting dear, (2) because its cultiva-
tion is restricted.
26. Fakirs and people of inferior classes are
generally the consumers of ganja, but bhang is
sometimes consumed by all classes of people. (1)
Many use it because they are in the habit of doing
so ; (2) many use it to prevent sickness ; (3) many
use it to devote their minds to the worship of God ;
(4) travellers use it to put off the bad effects of
climate; (5) to cure cold.
28. In these days the average cost of moderate
consumers is quarter anna per diem, and 4 annas
for excessive consumers.
29. Tobacco is mixed up with ganja and charas ;
bhang is drunk and eaten with ingredients men-
tioned in answer 15. Dhatura is not mixed up
with bhang; but some fools do so.
30. Generally these drugs are consumed by
people in company of their friends, but the habi-
tuals are excepted. Young men use these drugs.
Bhang is sometimes given to children also.
31. The habit of consuming the drugs is formed
like opium and liquor, etc. It is difficult to break
it off. The people who do not use liquor use the
drugs to devote themselves to prayers of God.
There is a tendency in the case of these drugs
for the moderate habit to develop into the exces-
sive, but less than liquor-drinkers.
32. It is a religious custom to use the drugs
instead of liquor as well as social, on some festi-
vals like Holi, etc. It is not customary to use
the drug on each and every festival, nor is it used
largely, nor does it form a habit, nor is it inju-
rious.
33. The consumption of these drugs on parti-
cular occasions is regarded good, but indulgence
in it in every place and time is considered disreput-
able. On religious and social customs the public
opinion is in its favour. There is no custom of
worshipping hemp plant in these provinces.