574
37. Evidence of MR. G. A. DOLBY, Tea Planter, Modopee, Tezpur.
Ganja is not very extensively used in this
district, and bhang only on occasions.
There are over 500 imported coolies on this
estate. I would put down the proportion of habi-
tual smokers at 20 per cent. Women never use
it. It is generally smoked.
Assamese and Cacharis, whom I would term
indigenous labourers, are not ganja-smokers.
Very few smoke it. Would estimate the pro-
portion at 2 per cent. in the villages, and say 7
per cent. in stations.
On occasions, such as the Sivaratri Puja,
Assamese use bhang mixed with milk, sugar, and
flour made up like sweetmeats, when all present
partake of it, even women and children. A few
well-to-do Assamese drink bhang made up like
sherbet, with milk and sugar, not to intoxicate,
but as a refreshing drink and to do honour to
the guest.
I have made careful enquiries to enable me to
give you accurate information on the following
points: so far as my own coolies are concerned,
I would put the proportion of non-smokers at 80
per cent; of habitual smokers who use it in
moderation at 18 per cent; and 2 per cent. of
those who use it to excess.
Ordinarily, I should say, the drug is used in
moderation and not to excess. We are daily com-
ing in contact with our coolies at work, and have
many opportunities of finding out the cause of
their illness when in hospital and also when they
absent themselves from work. I have noticed the
few who take the drug in excess have a wild look,
their eyes are generally bloodshot, and their
general manner tends to show that they are under
the influence of some intoxicating drug for the
time being. I have found those who use it in
moderation work better under its influence and are
more light-hearted and cheerful; these very men
would work indifferently if prevented from using
it, and I believe would suffer from indigestion and
other bowel-complaints; it must therefore act as a
tonic and a digestive if used in moderation by
habitual smokers.
I have two or three cases of asthma on this estate
which, I believe, is chiefly attributable to the
excessive use of the drug. These men were moder-
ate ganja-smokers, but have of late years used it
to excess; they are unable to do any hard work;
they were able-bodied coolies some years ago;
asthma is not prevalent among non-consumers. I
cannot attribute the general debility of these men
to any other cause.
The wild plant grows luxuriantly in most of the
villages in this district. It is fond of a rich light
soil, and can be seen growing with vegetables in
most of the gardens belonging to the villagers.
The plant generally dies away on the approach of
the rains. Those who have used it say it causes
nausea and headaches. It is seldom used; other-
wise the consumption of ganja would be nil. It
would be as difficult to exterminate this plant as
the "Lantana" plant would be in Ceylon, and
would not be worth while to extirpate it.
It would be difficult to compare liquor with ganja:
they have such opposite effects on the individual
who drinks the first or smokes the other. Either
taken in moderation does little harm. Of the two
evils I would vote for ganja so far as work is
concerned. I have generally found those who
drink liquor suffer temporarily more than those
who smoke ganja. By this I mean coolies seldom
drink in moderation, and naturally feel the bad
effects next morning. Liquor has not the same
injurious effect which ganja has on those who use it
to excess.
I would not advocate the total prohibition of
ganja. So far as my experience goes, I am of
opinion that it should not be interfered with. It
would be a pity for the sake of a few who take it
to excess to deprive the labourer of an indulgence
and to him a luxury. There would be a feeling of
discontent if those who used the drug were de-
prived of it.
It would be difficult for me to suggest any
measure to restrict the sale of the drug; I believe
the present system to be a good one. It would be
practically impossible to limit the sale or use of
the drug, and I doubt if the licensed vendor would
endeavour to prevent it. Those using the drug
could easily purchase the quantity required by
evasion and fraud.
I hope the above will be of some use to you.
38. Evidence of MASDAR ALI, Pleader, Sylhet.
1. I have been a pleader of the District Court
from December 1885. Before this I was Sub-
Inspector of Schools, Midnapore.
I have been
Vice-Chairman of the Sylhet Municipality for
three years, and will complete my term of office
as Chairman of the same Municipality in March
next.
2. People here smoke only ganja which is im-
ported. Yes. Flat ganja is known as chipti.
Round ganja is known as gol. Broken ganja is
known as chur.
7. No.
14. No.
18. Ganja deteriorates by keeping. It quite
loses its effects in time. It keeps good for about
a year.
19. Ganja is here used for smoking only.
20. Ganja is smoked by fishermen, boatmen,
cultivators, palanquin bearers, day-labourers, cer-
tain fakirs and sanyasis.
21. Flat is preferred, because it is cheap; other-
wise chur is preferable.
25. Neither is remarkable.
26. (a) Three-fourths.
(b) One-fourth.
(c) One-eighth.
(d) One-sixteenth.
27. (a) Fishermen, boatmen, palanquin bearers,
cultivators, and day-labourers.
(b) Fakirs, sanyasis and people suffering from
incurable maladies.
(c) People observing Sivaratri or Janmasthami
or other Ekadasis or fastings, or desirous of
pleasures.