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19. I do not know much about charas. Ganja
is not only used for smoking, it is used also in
medicines. A decoction of ganja, or sometimes an
extract of ganja, is given to patients to induce
sleep. It is used also in various preparations for
nervine diseases. One of the preparations is made
by mixing it with ghi, and it is then used as a
tonic.
20. Sadhus and men of the lower class and poor
men use ganja. The use is prevalent all over
India.
24. Brahmins, Ksbatryas and Vaishyas, both
rich and poor, use bhang. People of the working
classes also use bhang. Bhang is generally drunk ;
but it is eaten when it is inconvenient to prepare
the drink. In the hot weather in hot climates
all classes drink bhang. Scholars and priests,
who are not allowed to use liquor as a stimulant,
freely drink bhang. Dealers in precious stones,
pearls and jewels drink bhang, as they consider
the drink helps them in their examination of these
articles.
25. With the advance of the natives of India
in English education and ways of thought, and
the influence of contact with Europeans, there has
been generated amongst natives of the educated
and lower class a taste for spirituous drinks. The
inconveniences and trouble in preparing bhang,
as contrasted with the ease with which liquor may
be obtained and drunk, has stimulated the wide
use of the latter, and decreased the consumption
of bhang. I think the evil effects of spirit drink-
ing are beginning to be felt, and that in the distant
future bhang may be more extensively used than
it is now. To vegetarians spirituous stimulants
are altogether unsuitable.
27. In the Bombay presidency the jewellers
and dealers in precious stones and pearls, who are
mostly shrawak bauias, and originally from Surat,
are habitual moderate consumers of bhang. Babus
from Bengal and scholars and religious preachers,
mostly high-caste Brahmins, are also habitual
moderate consumers of bhang. Habitual exces-
sive consumers of bhang will be found among
the Brahmins, who perform religious rites in the
temples and houses of the people. Occasional
moderate bhang drinking is indulged in by men
of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, with-
out exception.
28. A moderate allowance of bhang is one-
quarter tola, costing a quarter of an anna. This
will serve for twice. An allowance of one tola of
bhang or thereabout, costing about half an anna,
is reckoned excessive.
29. In the ordinary preparation, which is
generally used by habitual drinkers, black pepper
and sugar are mixed, and the drink is made by
mixing well rubbed bhaug powder in water.
When bhang is prepared by rich persons, and
also when it is prepared on special occasions, sugar
and pepper are invariably added, with almonds,
pistachio nuts, chirongia-sopila, cinnamon, carda-
moms, mace, nutmeg, saffron, musk, and conserve
of roses. The ingredients added will depend on
the means of the drinker and the occasion for
which the drink is prepared. Dhatura, which is a
strong narcotic, is not ordinarily mixed with
bhang.
30. The habitual consumer of bhang and ganja
uses these drugs when in company and also when
alone. As regards bhang, it is generally drunk
in the company of friends, and its use is not re-
stricted to any sex or age. Women and children
are allowed to use bhang according to their suit-
abilities. Ganja is not used by women and child-
ren. Bhang is not very commonly used by child-
ren ; but it may be given to them as a medicine
in proper doses to their great benefit.
31. The habit is not easily formed ; but much
depends on the temperament of the man and his
associates. The habit is not difficult to break off,
except when of long standing. The moderate
bhang and ganja consumer generally increases his
allowance of the drug in time. It is always pos-
sible for the bhang-drinker to check the habit at
any time, unless it has taken very deep root.
32.
Bhang is used on Shivaratri, a day consecrat-
ed to the god Shiva, who is reported to be fond
of bhang. It is also used on occasions when
offerings are made to Baldeo, elder brother of the
god Krishna, who, it is said, has an excessive
partiality for the drug. The devotees of Baldeo
divide the offerings made to the god among them-
selves with great reverence, piety ; and pleasure.
Though the use of bhang in this manner cannot
be said to be essential, as there are no strict
scriptural injunctions for the same, yet, as these
customs have acquired a time-honoured reference
and religious belief, it would be most difficult to
persuade men to the belief that the use is quite
optional. In India, when foreign invasions by
men of alien religions have resulted in the de-
struction of many of the Hindu sacred works, cus-
tom, strengthened by religious precept, has ob-
tained such a strong hold on the minds of the
people, that even the positive commands of the
religious books are sometimes waived in favour of
custom. I therefore think the use of bhang on
such occasions is essential. Its use in this way
is generally temperate, and not likely to lead to a
habit with the consumer, and is never injurious to
him. Offerings of bhang are made to the god
Shiva, with a belief that it brings blessings to the
offerer, and sometimes cures him of bodily diseases
that he may be suffering from.
In connection with ganja, such religious observ-
ances as have been mentioned are not known to
me. Its use, however, is thought to be essential
to bairagis, to keep them from worldly thoughts,
and to assist them in their contemplation of God.
33. Generally the consumption of bhang in mo-
deration has no stigma attached to it, nor is the
bhang drinker held in high respect. Its use is
neither socially nor religiously prohibited in moder-
ation, and public opinion is not averse to the prac-
tice in this way. The use of ganja is held in dis-
repute. The cause of this sentiment is that, ge-
nerally, no great reliance can be placed on the
man who makes himself senseless, and consequent-
ly forgets promises that he has made. So far as I
know, the hemp plant is worshipped nowhere.
34. It would certainly be a very serious priva-
tion to all classes of consumers to forego the con-
sumption of the drug they use. In India bhang
is essentially necessary, both socially and medi-
cally. People have, to their great advantage, used
the drug till now, and a certain religious venera-
tion on account of its being offered to the deities
has caused them to regard it as a necessity which
they can ill afford to forego. To merchants and
jewellers, who are moderate consumers of the best
sort of bhang, it would bring great mental trouble
and vexation to forego the use of the drug which
they have used for many generations, and which
would prevent them from doing their business
with ease and confidence. As bhang quickens the
imagination somewhat, religious preachers, who