53
Dhatura is not used as an ingredient, but is
sometimes admixed in common joke to befool
any of their companions.
30. Bhang and ganja is consumed chiefly by
gosavis, bairagis, fakirs, and other religious men
- d i c a n t c l a s s e s . I t i s c o n s u m e d t o a c o n s i d e r a b l e
extent by banias, Marwaris, and pardeshis. Now
and then a Kunbi or Brahmin may be seen smok
- i n g g a n j a o r d r i n k i n g b h a n g ; b u t t h e p r a c t i c e
is not common.
Among the Brahmins and the higher classes it
is carried on in solitude, as it is considered a
vice. Both these drugs are taken in solitude and
in company. Its consumption is confined chiefly
to the male sex. It is very seldom that a man
below the age of 25 takes to these habits; but
when once the habit is formed, it generally does
not leave them till death. I have not heard of
children consuming any of these drugs.
Charas in unknown in these parts; so that there
is nothing to say about its consumption.
31. The habit of taking either ganja or bhang
is not easily formed. Occasional smokers of
ganja and drinkers of bhang are seen hundreds of
times using it ; but they have no craving for it.
Bairagis, fakirs and other mendicant classes who
pretend to a celibate life, form the habit on pu
r - p o s e , a s t h e y b e l i e v e t h a t t h e s m o k i n g o f g a n j a
keeps them from sexual and other desires; but
when once it is formed, the habit is difficult to
break off. I have never yet seen a moderate
smoker of ganja or drinker of bhang having a
craving for more. It does not appear that the
habit has a tendency to develop into excess.
32. There are no social or religious customs
that I can point out with regard to the con
-sumption of ganja, unless the custom of bairagis
and others of smoking ganja in company be
called a social custom. Bhang, on the other hand,
is consumed on both social or religious occasions.
On fast days it is generally taken, because it
is believed to be a sort of a cooling draught.
Among the Hindus generally on Maha Shiv
- r a t r a h o l i d a y , t h e s e d r i n k e r s o f b h a n g j o i n
together in a temple of the god Shiva and drink
bhang or ghota as it is technically called,
in company in honour of the god, as that plant is
supposed to be the favourite one of the deity in
the Hindu mythology. At the time of the holi
- d a y s b h a n g i s c o n s u m e d b y m o s t p e o p l e , b e c a u s e
it is considered as a sort of a stimulant to help
them to enjoy. It is at the same time not esse
n - t i a l t h a t b h a n g o r g a n j a s h o u l d b e o f f e r e d o n
social or religious occasions. It is left to the
choice of the people. It is more optional than
essential. The use of these drugs on social and
festive occasions is temperate, and never, to my
knowledge, led to the formation of a habit, nor
h a d i t a n y
i n j u r i o u s
e f f e c t .
33.Occasional smoking of ganja or drinking
of bhang is not generally regarded as much worse
than the smoking of tobacco. But when a man
has contracted the habit of being intoxicated with
the narcotic drug, it is generally considered as
disreputable in a social point of view. From a
religious point of view, he is not condemned, nor
his conduct disapproved. The reason why the use
of the narcotic is in disrepute is that it is supposed
to unnerve a man and make him generally unfit
for the ordinary duties of life. It is supposed
also to unhinge the intellect to a certain extent.
I do not know of any custom of worshipping the
hemp plant practised on any occasion by any sect
of people—at least not in this district.
34. It would certainly be a serious inconveni-
ence, specīally to gosavis, bairagis, and other
religious mendicant classes who have been ad
- d i c t e d t o t h e h a b i t t o f o r e g o t h e c o n s u m p t i o n o f
ganja. The preparation of ganja so as to make
it fit for being smoked, and the preparation of
other accessories to smoking ganja, usually keeps
these members of society devoted in their
prayers to God and keeps them off from com
- m i t t i n g c r i m e ; b u t i f t h e y w e r e d e p r i v e d o f t h e
use of ganja, they would not know what to do
with themselves the greater part of the day. It
would be a serious problem with them how to
get through the twenty-four hours. With regard
to the probable number of each class, I have to
refer to my answer to questions Nos. 20 and 26.
35. It will be difficult to prohibit the use of
these drugs ; but at the same time it will pro
- d u c e d i s c o n t e n t i n t h e m i n d s o f t h e c o n s u m e r s
of it, and the fact that religion does not come
in the way of using it would stand forcibly
against prohibition. Where it is grown spon
- t a n e o u s l y i t w i l l b e c o n s u m e d i l l i c i t l y . I a m n o t
in favour of the prohibition of this drug. If
prohibited, there will be discontent, as said above,
amongst consumers, but there is no fear of poli
- t i c a l
d a n g e r .
I f p r o h i b i t e d , t h o s e w h o
n e e d
s o m e
sort of stimulant would take to alcoholic drinks
or any other stimulant that would be found fit
to be substituted.
36. As an exhilarant, this drug was only consi
- d e r e d a s s t i m u l a n t ; b u t s i n c e W e s t e r n i d e a s h a v e
got root into the minds of educated people, the
religious scruples which existed against alcoholic
drinks have been dying away, and alcoholic drinks
are substituted in place of these drugs ; and this can
be proved by the fact that the consumption of
this drug is on the decrease, while that of alcoholic
drinks is on the increase.
37. Charas is not sold or used in this district.
38. Only one kind of ganja (flat) is known in
this district.
39. The smoking of ganja is less injurious
for the reason that the resinous substance is re
- m o v e d b y w a s h i n g , a n d t h e r e f o r e i t s i n t o x i c a t i o n
does not last long. Such, however, is not the
case with the preparation made for drinking or
eating. For in the case of eating or drinking,
the leaves with its resinous substance are finely
ground and drunk or eaten, and therefore the
effects of intoxication are more severe in the
latter case and last longer.
40. By native doctors it is used as specific
for dysentery. It is also used for some chronic
diseases, such as rheumatism. It is also used in
cholera cases. It is not within my knowledge
that in Khandesh it is used for cattle disease.
41. (a ) To a certain extent, when used moder
-ately.
(b) Yes, when used moderately.
(c) Not to my knowledge.
(d) (1) Well-to-do men ; (2) those who have
resigned all worldly care ; and (3) such other men
as require stimulants but cannot take alcoholic
drinks on a religious point of view, use it.
In case (1) it is occasional moderate ; in case
(2) excessive and habitual; and in case (3),
habitual moderate.
42. The moderate use of the drug is harmless
for it is less injurious than opium, and less incitive
towards the commission of crime than alcoholic
drinks.