153
(2) 1 pice worth of betel-nuts and pan for the use
of the people assembled; and (3) 1 pice worth of
ganja, which was divided into three parts and
smoked in three chillums after the text had been
read out. The so-called mêla was introduced for
the first time some fifteen to twenty years ago,
and is said to be dying out gradually.
I learn a similar mêla has been recently intro¬
duced in parts of Orissa (Jajpur and Bhadrak),
where ganja is smoked as a part of the semi-
religious observance.
33. The consumption of siddhi or patti is not
generally regarded as a pernicious habit, and is
in no way regarded as degrading. There is thus
no public opinion (social or religious) against it.
This is probably due to (1) the sanction of re¬
ligious Shastras; and (2) the rather comparative
harmlessness of the drug. The same remarks do
not apply to the smoking of ganja. There is a
decided public opinion against its use among the
educated classes, and the ganja-smoker is looked
down upon in society. This opinion is based
upon (1) the fact of its being primarily an in¬
toxicant of the lower classes who, when willing,
can ill afford to pay for wines, etc., and are thus
obliged to be confined to this cheap drug; and
(2) the fact of its suspicious demoralizing effect.
The fakirs, as a rule, smoke ganja, and this habit
of theirs is not, however, regarded as in any way
degrading or otherwise injurious by even the edu¬
cated classes. The lower classes have no opinion
either in favor of or against its use.
The hemp plant is never worshipped either in
Bengal or in Orissa on any occasion by any sect
of the people.
34. It will positively be a serious privation to
the habitual consumers of both ganja and patti.
The habit cannot easily be broken off, and un¬
easiness is necessarily felt by consumers who have
acquired the habit. That it is so, is proved by
the fact that many persons deprived of ganja are
said to have resorted to the smoking of the more
deleterious dhatura, kuchila and kalika seeds in
lieu of ganja. Those who have acquired the
habit of daily drinking potions of patti fall vic¬
tims to some diseases endangering their life when
they are deprived of it. I cannot give any idea
of the probable number of such people.
35. Considering all sides of the question, I do
not think it would be feasible to prohibit the use
of either ganja or patti. Even if the prohibition
were enforced by rigorous law, it would be im¬
practicable to prevent smuggling of the same
from the Native States. It, however, any at¬
tempt be made to prohibit the cultivation of the
hemp plant in these Native States, the people will
surely resent this interference on the part of the
British Government, and thus might lead to a
political danger. Moreover, as the drugs appear
to have obtained something like a religious sanc¬
tion, the total prohibition will probably cause an
irritation in the mind of the masses, which might
lead to unpleasant results. Another potent factor
standing against any effective prohibition lies in
the fact of the easiness with which the plant can
be safely grown in any bit of laud within the
secluded enclosure of the zenanas. The cost of
strict supervision and detection in these cases, if
adopted, would be enormous and almost prohibitive.
The consumers would also, no doubt, be seriously
discontented, when their only luxury of an in¬
toxicant which they indulge in amidst their pover¬
ty is removed from their reach.
As regards Orissa, alcoholic stimulants are never
drunk by any genuine Uriyas of high caste. The
alcoholic liquor is mainly confined here to the low
class Muhammadans and the lowest classes of
Hindus (Hinduized aboriginal classes), such as
Pans, Kandras, etc. The Uriyas being mostly
Voishnabas, strictly follow religious injunctions
in this respect, and are thus debarred from an in¬
dulgence in liquors. Hence it may safely be in-
ferred that the prohibition of ganja and patti will
not likely be followed by recourse to alcoholic
stimulants. But I think the habitual consumers
(when thus circumstanced) will be driven readily
to resort to other drugs, which are plentifully
indigenous in this province. Even the compara¬
tive high price of ganja is reported to have led
many habitual consumers to the use of some of
these more deleterious drugs (dhatura, kuchila,
kaniar, etc.).
36. In Orissa—no.
NOTE.—I have no experience of the use of
charas. All my answers, therefore, deal only with
gauja and siddhi or patti.
37. I do not know - vide note.
38. Round ganja (Rajshahi) is preferred by the
consumers, as it is said to be the strongest of the
three preparations. On account of the round
form into which ganja is rolled, it retains the
resinous matter longer than either the flat ganja
or the chur. There appears to be no appreciable
difference as to the kind of effect produced by
them.
39. I cannot say,
40. I do not know whether the smoking of
ganja is ever prescribed as a medicine by the
native doctors. As regards siddhi, it is generally
used among the people in various bowel complaints.
Bhâba Prakâs, a Hindu medical treatise, adopted
by eminent native doctors, embodies the results
of the Tantras (scientific treatises) and of the
Charaka, Sustruta, and Bhagbata. It describes
the effects of siddhi in following terms:—
(Sanskrit sloka, romanized):—
"Bhangá kafaharí tiktá gráhiní páchaní la-
ghuh.
"Tikshnoshná pittalá mohamada-bágbanhi
bardhiní."
The sloka may be thus rendered:—
Bhanga or siddhi is expectorant, bitter astrin¬
gent, digestive, refreshing, stimulant, bile-form¬
ing, intoxicant, produces loquaciousness of in¬
ebriates, and appetizing.
I do not know whether any of the prepara¬
tions is used in the treatment of cattle disease.
41. Ganja and bhang are beneficial—
(a) As digestive.
(b) Are believed to give staying-power
under exertion and exposure and to
allevia te fatigue.
(c) As regards ganja, I cannot say. As
regards patti, its moderate habitual
use is considered a febrifuge and anti-
malarious.
(d) In advanced years of life, patti in
moderate doses is calculated to pro¬
mote good digestion and keep health.
Generally speaking, the higher classes prefer
patti and the lower classes ganja. The propor¬
tion cannot be given. Moderate habitual use is
referred to in replies (b), (c), and (d), and moder¬
ate occasional use in reply to (a).
42. The moderate use of both ganja and patti is
harmless. The consumers appear to be as useful
members of society as those not addicted to them.
Z