319
ganja in large number. In those places charas
is not so much smoked. About 20 per cent. of
the population use those drugs. The number of
the "bhadralok" class of people in East Bengal
using those drugs is greater than in any other
place that I know of.
21. Chur is preferred.
22. I do not know of any besides the native.
23. Only as a substitute for ganja, when that
is not available.
24. Those who are habitually accustomed to
take bhang, always drink it. Only when they
have no time or place to make it into a pulp, it is
eaten, and not otherwise that I know of.
25. Probably the use of ganja is on the increase.
For I have heard people who are classed as
"bhadralok," and who have some education too,
but being of straitened circumstances cannot
afford to indulge in expensive intoxicating drugs,
do smoke ganja. Formerly people of their rank
and status would never have done so. There are
a good number of people also in the eastern dis-
tricts of Bengal who, after drinking spirits or
wine, smoke ganja to make the intoxication more
profound. This practice has sprung up within
living memory.
26. Bhang and ganja—
(a) Pretty large.
(b) Not so large.
(c) Not many.
(d) Fewer still.
Charas is not so much used as the other two
preparations, hence the number of its consumers
will be less under each of the above headings.
Bhang is consumed by the largest number of the
above classes.
27. Subject to the above remarks, the kahars,
dosads, kurmis, Muhammadans, and palki-bearers
of Bengal, with exceptions here and there, are
habitual moderate consumers. They contract
the habit on account of the severe physical labour
they have to undergo to earn their livelihood as
coolies, syces, domestic servants, field labourers,
etc. Hemp drugs, being cheaper than country
wine, are preferred. Tradition may have some-
thing to do with some people.
Religious mendicants, both Hindu (including
the Baisnavas who beg and sing) and Muhammad-
an, are as a rule habitual excessive consumers.
They have more leisure, no domestic cares, and they
have to make long journeys, and have also to be
exposed to the vicissitudes of temperature; hence
they indulge in those drugs. Among the well-to-
do class both habitual moderate and excessive
consumers are found.
28. (a) In Calcutta one pie worth of bhang
will be consumed in three days, but one pice
worth of ganja will be consumed in a day.
About three drachms of the former and twenty
grains of the latter are consumed a day.
29. Ingredients of bhang—(a) ordinarily, black
pepper, (b) exceptionally, anise-seeds, milk, and
sugar. Dhatura is so used to make the intoxica-
ting property stronger.
Thandai and bhang massala are both sold by
the North-West people. Of the former, cucumber
seeds, almonds, and petals of rose form the chief
ingredients; of the latter, cinnamon, cubebs,
anise-seeds, black pepper, and coriander form the
chief ingredients.
Dry tobacco is mixed with ganja when smoked.
30. Bhang, as a rule, is consumed in solitude.
On occasions sanctioned by custom, it will be
used in company. Ganja and charas often in com-
pany. As a rule males smoke ganja. Baisnavas
in Lower Bengal, who earn their livelihood by beg-
ging and singing songs, both male and female,
smoke ganja. I have seen children whose parents
habitually drink bhang take a few sips from their
father's cup. Girls do not drink it.
31. Yes, easily. It is difficult to break off the
habit, especially of ganja. Ganja from moderate
habit develops into the excessive.
32. Throughout Bengal on the Dassera day
friends and relatives meet and exchange greetings,
and then a cup of bhang and sweets are offered.
It is not incumbent that it should be drunk.
Some to acknowledge the good feeling that
prompts the offer literally take a drop or two;
some again think that it is a part and parcel of
the religious occasion which has gathered them,
hence take a sip or two. Those who are inclined
to be merry take a few sips more. For they know,
even if they were to be worse for it, society will
tolerate the indiscretion; consequently they feel
they are at liberty to take as much as they like.
Those who go to excess, instead of being merry,
rather suffer severely: so much so, that doctor's
help is sought. Indulgence once a year cannot,
and does not, lead to the formation of the habit. I
know some who having had a bitter experience of
their indiscretion rather avoid it on all future
occasions.
When it is taken in extremely
moderate dose, it is only then that the sensation
is not altogether unpleasant; it brings on dryness
of the throat and tongue and a sensation of heat
all over the body, which are not pleasant; but all
sounds, whether one's own voice or that of others,
more especially musical, seem to have a sweet
cadence: that is the only pleasantness which it
produces. It takes away the sensation of fatigue
as well as increases appetite; these qualities of
the drug actually lead one to take it oftener.
It is incumbent on the (Saivas) Siva worshippers
to smoke ganja on the Sivaratri. It has got the
sanction of their religion; perhaps the use of it
from a very long period has at last given the
social custom the sanction of religion. I do not
know of any custom, social or religious, which
permits of smoking charas.
33. The consumption of bhang is not regarded
as so objectionable as that of ganja and charas;
nay, the use of the latter drugs is always regard-
ed by the public to be disreputable. The Hindu
religion does not countenance nor sanction the
habitual use of any intoxicating drug, whatever.
Excepting bhang, the other two preparations,
even when moderately consumed, bring in dis-
orders of mind, viz., irritability of temper, delu-
sions, insanity, and carelessness chiefly—so much
so that whenever any one gives any exaggerated
description of anything, or does anything that is
absurd, people in Bengal stamp them with their
disapprobation by saying that none but a ganja
smoker will do or say such a thing. The body
also suffers with the mind, more especially when
there is want of good food. So anything that'
will deteriorate the mind will naturally be put
down as bad by everybody, irrespective of the
other effects on the society. I do not know of
any custom of worshipping the hemp plant.
34. Bhang is l ess offensive, so it will be a great
hardship on them to forego its consumption. To
ganja and charas smokers it will be privation as
well, but it will not be a hardship on them consid-