221
the plant. At Broach and Nadiad hemp is grown
for use as bhang only, but not to such an extent
as in Surat.
8. There has been a continual decrease in the
area under cultivation every year owing to the
worry and trouble the cultivator is put. In the
first instance, before putting the seed into the
ground he must apply to the mamlatdar for a
pass; secondly, while the plant is growing he is
generally watched by abkari officers and the con-
tractor; and thirdly, when the crop is ready he
must remove it under a pass and give it to the con
¬ t r a c t o r f o r w h a t h e c h o o s e s t o p a y ,i
. e
. , h e i s a t
the mercy of the contractor, who generally has
the contract for the whole province as at present.
9. The cultivation of hemp is generally com-
menced from the middle of the rainy season till
the cold season or till December in Gujarat and in
July or August in Sind. The soil necessary for
hemp cultivation is loamy or sandy. The ground
is first levelled and cleared of shrubs, etc. It is
then flooded and ploughed up, the seed is then
put in by means of phatke (tubular vertical in-
strument). Too much water is injurious to the
growth of the hemp. If there is no sufficient
moisture the field is watered once or twice. The
low, sandy, clayish banks of rivers are overrun
once or twice with water, like the Indus or the
Tapti, known as katcho in Sind and bhata in
Gujarat, is best suited for the growth of hemp.
10. In Sind and other places and in Surat the
cultivation of hemp is confined not to one class.
The cultivators are of the same class as other
cultivators ; any cultivator having land suitable for
the growth of hemp may cultivate it.
11. In Sind, in the territories of His High-
ness Mir Ali Murad Khan, ganja is raised from
the same seed as bhang. The plant intended for
ganja becomes generally stunted on account of
harder and rocky nature of soil underneath it.
The leaves get shrivelled. This is the distinguish-
ing feature of the plant which is left for ganja,
which is a female plant. The flowers and tops of
the branches assume the same form. The flowery
tops of the wild hemp plant known in Sind as Kohi
or Kohistani possesses even without their being
made into flat or round ganja, the properties of
ganja and much searched after by fakirs and
sadhus visiting those regions.
12. No. I have no reason to suppose that wild
hemp is specially cultivated anywhere for the
production of ganja.
13. No ; on the contrary in Gujarat, i.e ., at
Surat, Broach and Nariad, the cultivation of the
hemp plant is restricted for bhang. It might be
so restricted in Sind for aught I know. The
cultivation of hemp for ganja alone is also pos-
sible in Gujarat. The conditions of climate, soil,
rainfall, etc., are the same as for the cultivation
of hemp ; for bhang, a little richer soil, mixed
with rotten leaves manure, is perhaps necessary.
14. Yes; only bhang is prepared from the
hemp plant in the province of Gujarat, i.e ., in
the Surat, Broach and Kaira districts. In North-
ern India, Sind and the Deccan ganja is produc-
ed from the hemp plant. So far as I know,
charas is made at Yarkand and North Afghani-
stan. The extent of the cultivation of hemp plant
for bhang only in Surat is about 30 bighas, yield-
ing about 300 maunds of bhang.
15. From the cultivated hemp plant the follow-
ing two articles are made in the province of
Sind :
—
Bhang, which is of two kinds, (1) bhang
khuti, and (2) bhang ghumdini. Bhang
khuti is the compound of leaves with seeds
mixed together. This is commonly used
for making majum (bhang sweetmeat) and
bhang ghi to be eaten. Bhang ghumdini
is the topmost branch of the plant with
leaves and seeds sticking to it, and used
for drinking after it is well pounded and
mixed with water. This is also done in
Gujarat.
Ganja is known here to be of three kinds—
(1) flat or chapat, (2) round or ghundi,
or bandi kali, and (3) chur or broken.
This is used for smoking.
I have read in books and heard how charas is
made in Yarkand, etc. It is also used for
smoking.
16. Bhang is prepared by the people in their
houses. It is also sold in liquid or dry state in
the bazar. It can be prepared from the plant
wherever it grows. Yes ; ganja can also be so
prepared, but not charas, the preparation of which
is peculiar, and I will describe it, if required, orally.
17. The preparations of the hemp drug are
made almost by all classes, Hindus and Muham-
madans throughout India. Some Parsis also
prepare and drink bhang in Surat.
18. Yes; all three drugs deteriorate by keeping
them over a year after the crop is cut or gather-
ed. It loses its effect by time. With ordinary
care it keeps for a year or two. The atmospheri-
cal changes and exposure deteriorate the effects of
the drug. If after the crop is cut and dried, it
is kept in hermetically sealed tin cases, it is likely
to retain its effects for a longer period.
19. Ganja and charas are used for smoking.
At Faizabad in Northern India, ganja is even
eaten. It is generally passed round in company,
and every one present takes a pinch or two and
puts it in his mouth.
20. Charas and ganja are smoked by the Hindus
and Muhammadans, i.e ., bairagis, sadhus, fakirs and
others throughout India wherever they are avail-
able. Ganja is mostly smoked in Gujarat, where
charas is not available.
21. Round, or what is commonly known as
bandi kali or baluchar, is preferred for smoking.
Flat or chapat ganja is said not to be so intoxi-
cating as round or baluchar ganja.
22. Charas is not used in the province of Guja-
rat. Sometimes small quantities are found with
sadhus and bairagis or fakirs coming from North-
ern India, Benares, etc., but it is kept by them
more for show than for actual use.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking.
24. In Sind bhang is drunk almost by all
classes, Hindus or Muhammadans, males or
females, and even by children. When mixed with
massala and properly prepared, it is one of the most
cooling and refreshing drinks, specially during the
hot weather. I have personally drunk it when I
was in Sind with great advantage to my health.
I will state my experience of it in my oral examin-
ation. In Gujarat it is generally drunk by some
of the Hindus and Muhammadans, and specially by
the jewellers. It is a usual drink for the fakirs
and sadhus. About 30 per cent, of the Hindu
male population and 10 per cent. Muhammadan
male population and 1 per cent. Parsi male popu-
lation drink bhang in Surat. Bhang is not eaten
except in majum and ghi.