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composed of sugar, ghee, and bhang. It is
prepared thus :—The required quantity of
bhang is steeped in water for some time,
then it is mixed with equal quantity of ghee
in a tinned vessel, and the vessel is put on
fire. The mixture is allowed to boil, taking
care that after it is being put on fire it is
constantly stirred up. Boiling is continued
till all the water is evaporated, and the
mixture is then removed from the fire, and
while hot, it is strained through a piece of
cloth. By this process you get an oily
solution of bhang, called bhang-noo-ghee,
with its colouring matter. The refuse is
thrown away. The oily solution is sub-
j e c t e d t o w a s h i n g t o r e m o v e i t s c o l o u r i n g
matter. The washings are thrown away.
Then sufficient quantity of sugar is taken,
to which a little water is added, and the
vessel containing sugar and water is put on
fire; just as the sugar dissolves, froth col-
lects on its upper surface. Milk and water
are added with the object of removing the
dirt of the sugar. Addition of milk and
water brings the dirt in the form of a thick
scum on the surface of the saccharine solu-
tion. This scum is removed. This addi-
tion of milk and water is repeated until the
saccharine solution becomes thick, clear and
of syrupy consistence. This is now mixed
with the prepared ghee of hemp, and
brisk stirring is continued for a few minu-
tes. This is then poured in a flat dish
and allowed to solidify in the form of a
cake, which is divided into lozenges to
which gold or silver leaves are applied.
This is the ordinary mahajoon of bazar.
When specially prepared it is mixed with
stimulant and savoury substances.
(4) The liquid preparation of the bhang is made
as under. At first it is roasted on gentle
fire until the leaves assume a reddish-brown
c o l o u r . I t i s t h e n p u t i n a c u p a n d s t e e p e d
in water for about ten to fifteen minutes.
The water is strained out and fresh water
again added for washing it. This washing
process is repeated till the washings come
out clear and colourless. When thus freed
of its colouring matter, some black or white
pepper seeds are added to it and pounded on
a stone slab with a cylindrical stone pestle,
with the addition of little water so as to
reduce it to a pulpy mass. This pulpy
mass is mixed with required quantity of
water varying from a pint to a pint and a
half or more for one person, and strained
through a piece of dhoti cloth. This strain-
ing process is repeated three times over,
and the liquid thus prepared is ready for
d r i n k . T h e r e f u s e i s t h r o w n a w a y . T h i s
process is generally practised by habitual
consumers. Persons who take it for occa-
sional luxury generally add all the substan-
ces shown in answer to question No. 29.
The liquid thus prepared goes by the name
of " may a"—literally means worldly regard.
(5) There is another liquid preparation, which is
solely prepared in milk as under:— Required
quantity of roasted bhang, which varies from
2 to 3 tolas, is tied up in a piece of clean
muslin cloth with a twine ; this is then tied
to a piece of stick in its centre. This stick
is put horizontally over the edge of the
vessel containing milk in such a way that
the bottom of the bag containing bhang just
touches the level of the milk. The vessel is
put on fire. The milk, while boiling, rises and
falls, thus extracting the active principle of
bhang in the bag. The milk is boiled for
about an hour or more according to the
intoxication required. Now sugar is added.
Then the vessel containing milk is removed
from the stove and allowed to cool. This
liquid preparation is more intoxicating in
its effects than the one given above.
30. Ganja is generally, though not invariably,
smoked in company ; bhang is indulged in soli-
tude as well as in company. Ganja is smoked by
males as well as females of the lower order ; chil-
dren under 14 never smoke ganja. It is not
confined to any time of life. Bhang is indulged
in by all classes of people. Both males and
females indulge in it, but the latter form the
minority. Children as a rule do not indulge in
bhang, but occasionally they are initiated by their
parents and relatives.
31. Habit of consuming ganja as well as
bhang depends on company, and the habit is not
so easily contracted like opium or alcohol. If one
indulges in it for about a month or two, he gets
longing for it and thus the habit is contracted.
It is not so difficult to break off this habit. Mo-
derate consumer may attain an excessive habit,
but all this depends on company. Ganja-smok-
ing is generally prevalent in working class and
lower order as well as yogis, fakirs and atits;
while bhang is used by all classes of people, upper,
lower and middle. It is more used in hot season
because it is cooling. Ganja is hot. For charas
I have no experience.
32. Generally it is customary for the votaries
of Mahadev to indulge in bhang on "Shivaratri,"
which falls on Mahavad 14th. It is a belief that
Mahadev was very fond of this drink, and hence
the custom has become prevalent. It is also in-
dulged in during " Holi " holidays. I know of
no religious obligation enjoined, and it is not consi-
dered essential. Generally its use is temperate, but
in some cases it is excessive. It does not lead to
the formation of habit. It is not in any other
way injurious.
36. I think that to a certain extent alcohol is
substituted for bhang. Indulging in this drug
for narcotic purposes is considered to be opposed
to the views generally entertained by modern
civilization and education, and hence they having
regard to modern ideas have recourse to alcohol.
They also think that alcoholic intoxication is im-
mediate and more pleasant in its effects. Estab-
lishment of liquor shops in many more places
than before is also another cause for its substitu-
tion. Farms in hemp drugs are not sold for last
two or three years in certain villages, because the
farmers say that there are no customers for these
drugs. In some places increase in revenue from
farming alcoholic liquors is sufficient to lead one
to an inference that alcohol to a certain extent is
substituted for hemp drugs. The use of bhang
in higher classes has been, to a very great extent,
given up for reasons already explained, and they
take to the use of liquor, indulgence in which is
to a certain extent increased by the facilities which
the forward class of natives who call themselves
Soodharavalas obtain by their social intercourse
with people of various creeds and castes who are not
prohibited from indulging in these drugs reli-
giously, and this class has spread the contagion
to their less intelligent brothers. Even they have
the audacity to accuse medical men, particularly
native practitioners, as the cause of the mischief.
Hemp drugs are the only drugs which are used