34. Evidence of NIAMAT KHAN BILAN KHAN, Merchant, Balapur, Akola
District.
1. I was dealing in this trade for a considerable
time, and my father did the same from the com-
mencement of the British administration. I have
seen the several preparations of the hemp plant
being made.
2. I know only that the dry leaves of the plant
are called bhang. I have not heard the other names.
The definitions are appropriate so far as I know.
Round ganja is not prepared in the Berars, but it
is imported from Khandesh, and is called kalidarg a n j a
. B r o k e n g a n j a i s c a l l e d
b h a n g i r a .
3. I don't know of any in the Berars.
4. I don't know. It would be called jungli
(wild).
7. Yes ; for the production of ganja and bhang
only, and at the following places :
—
Salegam Mookind, Mancooliondi, Baroda, Parma,
Salegam Bazar, Dahigam near Nandusa,
Sootala Bujruk and Khurd, Ghatpuri,
Mandka, all in Malkapur taluk. Kham-
gaon, Huvarkheir Akot, Sirla, Sasti, Alegaon,
Manki Dihgam, in Balapur taluk.
I can't give the extent.
8. There has been a slight, very slight, decrease
within these two years owing to a fall in price.
The cultivation, moreover, required much labour.
9. The method of cultivation is similar to that
of cotton.
10. Not so restricted.
11. Not that I know of. The seeds are procured
12. No ; not in Berar.
13. Not restricted. I know it is cultivated in
Amraoti, Akola, and Buldana districts, but don't
know anything about the other districts. The
soil called pandhi close to village sites is the
best. It requires ordinary rainfall of the province,
but it is not damaged by excessive rainfall, though
it would deteriorate a little in effect by more rain.
Probably in Yeotmal district it would not grow.
But I am not sure. I say it would not, because
the people of that district buy ganja here.
14. Yes ; only ganja and bhang all over the
province ; but I can't give the extent.
15. There is no difference in the methods of
preparation from the cultivated and the wild plant,
so far as I know. Bhang is formed by the dried
leaves that fall off by thrashing the dried ganja,
and the remnant left after thrashing is ganja.
It is prepared for smoking as follows :—
It is washed and then squeezed dry and mixed
with tobacco. The ordinary dose is 6 mashas of
ganja to 3 mashas of tobacco, and some even take
6 mashas of tobacco. Ganja is eaten unmixed
with any other drug, but some with sugar. It is
never drunk in any preparation.
16. Bhang is prepared for drinking only. The
preparation is made as follows :—
The leaves are washed clean, and then mixed
with the following spices—blackpepper,
sugar, poppy seeds, almonds, cardamom,
cucumber seeds, and water.
17. Not restricted to any particular class.
1S. Does not deteriorate for a year, but does
after twelve or fifteen months. It would lose its
effect entirely after five or seven years. The only
cause that I can think of is time ; just like jawari,
vol. vii.
which deteriorates by time. There is no way to
prevent deterioration.
19. Ganja is mostly prepared. for smoking, and
in two cases -out of 100 men would be found to
prepare it for eating.
20. In Berar all smoke ganja ; none does
charas.
21. Only the flat ganja is sold in Berar.
22. None.
24. Bhang is drunk, so far as I know, never
eaten.
25. Neither on the increase nor on the decrease.
26.
For ganja.
For bhan g.
(a) 50 per cent.
121/2 per cent.
(b) 25 "
121/2 "
(c) 15 "
371/2 "
(d) 10
"
371/2 "
27. (a) and (c) Brahmins, Musal mans, Mar-
waris, Kunbis, Telis, and other low castes of
Hindus.
(b) and (d) Gosains and fakirs and sadhus.
Can't give classes of moderate and excessive
consumers separately.
28. (a) Garda
—
6 mashas .
1 pice.
Bhan g —
5 tolas
.
.
1 pice.
(b) Ganja
—
From 8 to 10 tolas
4 annas.
Bhang worth .
2 annas.
29. (a) Ganja.
Bhang.
.
only tobacco.
jagri and black
pepper.
(b) Bhang.—Saffron, sugar, black pepper, dried
rose, poppy seeds, almonds, cucumber seeds, and
several other groceries according to taste.
Dhatura is not so used. The admixture of to-
bacco and pepper is for increasing the narcotic
effects ; the others are for luxury. Bhang massala
is not sold in Berar.
30. The consumers of ganja in solitude would
be about 80 per cent. and in company would be 20
per cent., and vice versd with regard to bhang.
Yes ; it is mainly confined to the male sex and not
to any time of life. Children don't consume these
drugs.
31. The habit is not easily formed. It is diffi-
cult if indulged in for a considerable time. But it
could be broken Off if attempted in a few days.
There is no tendency to develop into the excessive.
32. I don't know of any such custom.
33. Not favourably. I don't think there is any
public opinion. It is in disrepute, because it brings
on intoxication. I don't know if the plant is wor-
shipped by any sect.
34. Yes ; they would get ill or suffer in appetite.
This is with regard to all.
35. Not feasible in my opinion. There would be
illicit consumption. The prohibition could be en-
forced by passing a law maintaining a department
for the detection of illicit consumption. Yes ; the
consumers would be discontented, particularly the
fakirs and sadhus. I don't think the discontent
would lead to political danger. Some would. resort
to alcoholic stimulants or other drugs, but not all.
3 B