295
(b) Habitual excessive consumers–
Bhang . . . . 1 anna.
Charas
.
.
.
3 to 4 annas.
Ganja
.
.
.
.
3 paisa..
29. Ganja is ordinarily mixed with tobacco.
Sometimes mawalis, i.e., those who use these
drugs to excess, put a little dhatura into charas and
ganja to induce greater intoxication. Dhatura is
also occasionally mixed with any of these drugs for
purposes of revenge or robbery. Bhang is some-
times made with milk instead of water and is
called "dudhi bhang."
"Bhang massala," a paisa worth, which I
bought at a grocer's in the bazar, contained
almonds, nutmeg, khaskhas (poppy seed), ilachi
(caradamoms), saunf (aniseed), and jantu; sugar
is sometimes mixed with this bhang massala, and
in the hot season dried rosebuds are generally
added.
30. Mostly in company. Ganja and charas are
nearly always, if not always, smoked in company,
as the pipe is handed from one to another. In the
Hindu tikarnos (a kind of mixed dharmsala and
temple) a great deal of bhang drinking is carried
on every evening. This is also true of the abodes
of Muhammadan fakirs.
It is mainly confined to the male sex, though a
fair number of the older women drink bhang. It
is not usual for children to consume any of these
drugs.
31. Yes. Yes, but not so difficult for young
men, and though difficult, not impossible for any
one, especially if the smoker or drinker be well fed.
Yes.
32. There are certain customs observed by bhang
drinkers. In a temple (tikarnu) the Bawa, after
having strained the bhang through a cloth, takes
the solid matter left and squeezing it into shape
places it on the ground before him as a representa-
tion of Shiva (the linga). Having filled his lota,
he sprinkles a little of the bhang on the linga,
saying " Lena Shiva Sambu, piyala taiyar hai."
"Take, O Shiva, the cup is ready." He then gives
some to the rest and as a rule each one before
drinking says "Namo Narayan maha purs." "In
the name of Narayan (Vishnu) the great creator."
Such drinking is generally temperate, but some-
times, on holidays, it becomes excessive.
33. Amongst respectable people the use of ganja
and charas is in disrepute, simply so far as I can
gather because of its intoxicating effect. I have
given a few common sayings about these drugs,
from which may, I think, be gathered the general
opinion of the majority in reference to their use. I
am told that there is no custom of worshipping the
hemp plant.
A few common sayings in regard to the use of
hemp drugs. These were taken down as repeated
by ganja smokers and others.
Ganja aur suka pine se hurmat gayi,
L á j s h a r m g a y i c h h u t ,
Anaj bechke lae ganja,
Gayi haiye ki phut?
Gayi haiye ki phut,
Kina yeh bina bichare,
Bina bichare sau kare,
So pachhe pachtae.
I am told that the first verse is a question asked
by a wife from her husband, whose answer is giver
in the second verse. The meaning, roughly, is as
follows :
–
Through smoking ganja and tobacco character
is lost and modesty destroyed. Does not the heart of that man break whop sells corn to buy ganja ?
My heart was broken indeed. I did it without
thought, and all who act without thought will
have to repent.
Suka savai ganja ka bhai.
Manga susra aur khawe jamai.
To b a c c o a n d b h a n g , t h e b r o t h e r s o f g a n j a ,
The father-in-law begs and the son-in-law eats.
This has been explained to me to mean that the
use of these drugs brings a father-in-law to beg-
gary and reduces the son-in-law to such a state
that he is content to sit in the house and eat.
Suka piwe surada,
Guraku piwe lal,
Ganja piwe lakhpati,
Urawe ghar ka mal.
The last two lines mean—Let a wealthy man
smoke ganja and he will squander his property.
35. Hardly. Prohibition would almost certainly
lead to illicit consumption.
In the case of bhang I am assured by natives
that if bhang drinkers could not get it, they would
drink "pust," poppy seeds, prepared with water
like bhang, and in case they could not get " pust,"
they would drink "bojo," a fermented liquor made
with wheat, rice or other grain.
37. Charas intoxicates more quickly than ganja.
40. There is a difference of evidence, but I gather
that bhang is recommended in cases of venereal
disease and that ground into powder it is useful for
external application to piles. For the same disease
a pinch of powdered bhang with an equal
quantity of sugar is eaten by some in the morning. Tinc--
ture of charas and charas pills are said to be good
for cough and asthma.
When cattle refuse their food, bhang is often
given to them to produce appetite. When a
calf dies and the cow refuses to give milk when
another calf is brought, bhang is given and the
cow under the intoxicating influence of the drug
gives milk and never refuses to do so afterwards.
41. (a) Bhang creates appetite, helps digestion,
and, used moderately, may be beneficial.
(b) Bhang may be useful, but I doubt whether
in the long run a bhang drinkers would do more
work than one who abstains. It does alleviate
fatigue I am told.
(c) No.
Charas and ganja are not beneficial even when
used moderately.
42. All I have spoken to agree in saying that
the moderate use of bhang is harmless, but that
such use of ganja and charas is harmful.
43. As a rule they are inoffensive.
14. The smoking of charas and ganja quickly
produces intoxication, bringing a sense of
pleasure to the smoker.
Bhang is cooling and refreshing and does not
by itself, as usually taken well diluted with water,
produce intoxication. Here in Karachi some
of the shop-keepers place two large earthen
vessels outside their shops, one containing bhang,
the other water, and any Hindu passer-by is at
liberty to drink. This is considered a work of
merit. Because of its cooling, refreshing effect,
it is more largely consumed in the hot season than
in the cold.