124
plantains, mangoes, jacks, etc., vijaya (ganja) can
give power to do all acts. Taken with milk,
vijaya gives all sorts of pleasures, is strongly
stimulating, and prevents eye diseases. Taken
with water, it removes indigestion. Taken
with ghi (clarified butter), it strengthens memory,
helps in subduing the goddess of speech, raises
the fallen, and clears the intellect. Taken with
honey, it cures all sorts of bodily illnesses. Taken
with saindhab salt, it increases the fire of appetite.
Taken with sugar or molasses; it removes
stomachic spasms springing from acid-bile
(amlapitta) humour, allays diarrhcea, puts a stop
to cough and asthma, and prevents chronic
dysentery rising from ambat.
etc.,
etc.,
etc.,
etc.,
etc.
For ganja-smoking, the only reference found
is quoted below:—
Translation—
Or in another way the pangs of hunger may be
stopped. The Joga master and mantra-knower,
who daily smokes ganja through his brahma-
randhra (higher orifice), is sure to get his hunger
stopped.
For other references in the tantras, see Maha-
nirvana tantra, fifth ullasa, and Mundamala tantra.
The dates of these tantric works are not known.
Tantric worship is a development of Sivaism
and yoga and is a very late phase of Hinduism.
It became prevalent after the Pauranic worship,
and the tenth century A.D. would be rather
an early date. From the composition and contents
of these Tantras, I would put their probable dates
at eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D. The ex¬
tant writing about the use of ganja as an intoxica¬
ting drug might therefore be put at the eleventh
century A.D.
The next authentic mention is in Bhabaprakash.
This medical treatise was composed by one Bhaba
Missra, a physician of North-Western Provinces,
who flourished probably in the beginning of
Akbar's reign. He says:—
Translation—
(The other synonyms of) bhanga (are) ganja,
matulani, madini, vijaya and jaya, Bhanga re¬
moves cough, is bitter, astringent, digestive,
light, sharp, hot, secretes biles, creates insensibi¬
lity, intoxicates and increases appetite.
In the later medical works, ganja and patti
are often mentioned. The most detailed descrip¬
tion is given in Binod Lal Sen Gupta's Ayurveda
bijnan, drabyasthan, page 67.
Appendix paper.
(B)
CHAPTER VII, QUESTION 59, et seq.
I begin with the premise that no people or class
of people can be made virtuous by law or orders
of the authorities. An evil habit once come into
vogue cannot be easily eradicated. By judicious
repression and punishment, it may cease to be
prevalent: but this requires time, and the gradual
education of the bulk of the people. Even then
no evil habit can be altogether extirpated—wit¬
ness thefts, dacoities, murders and arson. In
spite of the stringency of the Penal Code, of the
strong horror of the public opinion, and of the
vigilance of police, they have not ceased in any
country. Similarly with the habits of ganja-
smoking and bhang drinking.
2. My next premise is that ganja-smoking is
far worse than bhang-drinking. Patti is not unlike
tobacco leaves, and may be placed nearly in the
same category. Bhang-drinking is also enjoined
by custom and the shastras in various ceremonies.
Consequently the sale of patti is permissible like
tobacco.
On the other hand ganja-smoking, even in
small quantities, is injurions, and if habitually
used, permanently injures the constitution, and
affects the moral conduct. The sale of ganja
should therefore be more and more restricted with
an eye eventually to its total prohibition, except
for medicinal purposes.
3. The sale of ganja may be restricted in three
ways:—
1st, by restricting the cultivation to a small
area. In Orissa, ganja cultivation is not
allowed, so I need not speak anything.
In the Tributary States, ganja cultivation
is free; this I will deal with later on.
2nd, by raising the duty per seer of the ganja.
At present the duty is R6-8 on round
ganja, and R3-8 on Gurjat gauja. In
comparison with opium, which has a duty
of R32 in Orissa, the above duty is less.
It can be gradually raised to R20 and R10,
respectively. For patti the present duty is
annas 8 per seer. It can be raised to R1,
but not more, as patti cannot be kept long.
3rd, by increasing gradually the license fees of
the shops, and by locating the shops in
retired places. The increase in the license
fees will chiefly depend on the consumption
of the drug, and the distance from the
frontier, etc. I am in favour of putting
a maximum consumption for each shop,
beyond which the shopkeeper will not be
allowed to sell in every month. Except
near the frontier, I do not see why it shall
not be practicable. The shops for ganja,
at least, should not be placed in prominent
sites, such as hâts, bazars, public places,
temples, fairs, etc., where the people may be
tempted. The principle of local option is
not bad, but in Orissa there is hardly any
public opinion. In Municipalities the opi¬
nion of the Municipal Commissioners
might be taken before opening any shop
on a new site.
4. All the above suggestions, if adopted, will
increase the retail price of the drugs. Patti and
ganja will become more and more valuable, and
smuggling will be attempted. The Tributary
States in Orissa are too close, and smuggling will
not be difficult. This can be checked in the
following manner:—
1st, the ordinary detective staff of the district
should be strengthened. The easiest way
of doing this is to amalgamate the present
detective staff of the Salt Department with
the present staff of the Excise Department.
The same area is often inspected by Salt
Officers and by Excise Officers, but this
work can be readily done by one officer.
2nd, at least one officer on a competent pay
should be placed along the frontier of each
district. He will have to move along the
border making rapid marches, and inspect¬
ing the adjo ining shops, and detecting
smuggled drugs.