197
given up easily. The moderate habit in either
case has a tendency to develope into the exces-
sive.
32. In Durga Puja festival the Hindus, male
and female, drink bhang. When going from one
country to another (jatra), a little quantity of this
drug is tied in cloth. Offering is also made of
bhang and ganja to Mahadeo (Hindu god). The
use of bhang is essential. It is temperate. It is
not likely to lead to the formation of habit.
33. Ganja and bhang are used by the Hindus
and low class Muhammadans. In case of Hindus
there is neither religious nor social objection. In
the case of Muhammadans the use of these drugs,
though religiously objectionable, is tolerated by
the class among whom it prevails. It is generally
believed that ganja-smoking makes a man dull,
and hence this drug is in disrepute among persons
of higher order only. Hemp plant is not wor-
shipped in this district by any class of people on
any occasion.
34. I think there can be no privation to forego
the use of bhang, as the habit can be easily broken
off. But in the case of ganja, great inconvenience
would be felt by the habitual smokers.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of any of these drugs, as in that case some people
will resort to illicit practices. The prohibition
would occasion discontent among the consumers,
but there would be no political danger. If prohi-
bition is enforced, most of the consumers will, of
course, take to other stimulants.
36. I do not think that these drugs are to any
extent substituted by country spirits.
37. Nil.— Charas not consumed here.
38. All the preparations have the same effect,
except what is shown in answer 21.
40. The kabirajes sometimes use bhang in the
preparation of their medicines. Bhang is also
used as medicine for cattle.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect is intoxication on the
habitual smoker of ganja. Both ganja and bhang
are refreshing. They do not allay hunger, but on
the contrary create appetite. The effect of ganja
lasts ten minutes to one hour, and that of bhang
three to twenty-four hours. The after effect is
drowsiness and depression.
The want of subsequent gratification produces
longing, but no uneasiness.
47. No.
48. No. The use of any of these drugs does
not appear to be hereditary.
49 and 50. Not known.
53. No such case occurred here.
55. It is not known whether criminals stupefy
their victims by these drugs. The drugs alone
can stupefy persons if taken in excessive quan-
tities.
57. Ganja and charas are never drunk in this
district.
58. The present system works well, and no
better method can be suggested.
62. The plant for the production of bhang
should be cultivated under the same restriction as
in the case of ganja, and the wild plants should be
extirpated.
63 and 64. No objection.
65. In my opinion the duty on bhang and
ganja is unreasonable with reference to each other
and to alcoholic and other intoxicants, as the
following will show: A bottle of country spirit
worth one anna seldom intoxicates one habitual
drinker; but ¼ tola of bhang worth a pice, and
1/8 tola of ganja worth two pice, can do so.
66. Yes. Round ganja contains less and chur
much less twigs than flat does. The woody
portion does not produce intoxication, and is
thrown away by the retail vendors. Hence it is
necessary that there should be different rates of
duty on different kinds of ganja. I have never
seen foreign ganja. It is not used here.
67. The taxation should gradually be raised.
The method of taxing ganja and bhang is in no
way objectionable.
68. There is no such house in this district.
69. The wishes of the people and demand for
the drugs are considered before a shop is opened.
The inspecting officers hold local enquiry in such
matters and report the result, before proposals for
opening a new shop are submitted to the Com-
missioner of Excise. Public opinion should always
be considered.
70. Only one case of smuggling ganja from
Jashpur (P.S.) was detected in Pargana Biru some
time ago.
69. Evidence of BABU SURESH CHUNDRA BAL, Baidya, Special Excise Deputy
Collector, Howrah.
1. I have had opportunities of obtaining in-
formation on the subject as Collector.
2. Dr. Prain's definitions of siddhi, charas and
ganja may be accepted as correct.
Flat ganja, seldom in use here, is called chipta
ganja; round, as gol, and chur as chur or bhanga
ganja. Siddhi is known as siddhi or bhang.
Charas has no other local name.
3. The hemp plant grows spontaneously in the
districts of Howrah, Hughli, Burdwan, Cuttack,
Dacca, and Jessore. I have been told that it
grows spontaneously in almost all districts of
Bengal. It grows abundantly in the Rajshahi
District.
4. It is known generally by the name of bhang
plant. It is also called siddhi plaint and some-
times ganja plant. The popular belief is that
ganja and siddhi plants are different, but botani-
cally they are the same plants.
5. I have seen the wild hemp growing in
moist lands. I also saw it growing in some
Bengal fruit gardens of ordinary Bengal level.
The plant grows during or a little after the rainy
seasons.
6. It is usually scattered.
7. The hemp plant is cultivated in the Lower
Provinces—
(a) For the production of ganja in the dis-
tricts of Rajshahi, Dinajpur and Bogra.
(b) Charas is not produced in Bengal. It is
obtained from Mirzapur in the North