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13. Evidence of MR. GEO. J. BARKER, Abkari Inspector, Karachi.
1. As an Abkari Inspector visiting and inspect
- i n g t h e g a n j a s h o p s d u r i n g t h e l a s t e l e v e n y e a r s
or more.
2. Yes. Bhang, sahi or subji, ganja, and
charas.
3. The wild hemp (i.e., bhang) plant is said by
the ganja contractor to grow at a place called
Gondrani in Lus Beyla, bordering on the Karachi
District.
4. Known as kohi bhang.
7. The hemp plant is grown for use as bhang
in the province, chiefly at Buback and Thatte
(Karachi District), Khaiber in Hyderabad District
and in the Shikarpur District.
8. These particulars supplied in statistical
returns to Commissioner in Sind.
10. Cultivators—no particular class.
13. Ganja is not grown in Sind.
14. Bhang only is prepared for sale to the
licensed contractor. Area under cultivation sup--
plied in statistical returns to Commissioner in
Sind.
16. Bhang is prepared by people in their houses
from the hemp plant wherever grown.
17. Bhang is prepared in Sind. With the
exception of the bhang prepared (by Sindi
Muhammadans) for public use in Shaki-khanas as
described (under question 68) it is usually pre-
-pared by people in their own houses.
18. They all deteriorate by keeping. The bhang
and ganja lose their aroma and strength, and the
charas its resinous properties. They keep good
with ordinary care for about a year. Notwith--
standing precautions taken, quantities of bhang,
charas and ganja have to be destroyed by the
contractor every year. (Ascertained from con-
-tractor and inspection of stocks in Depôt.)
19. Only for smoking.
20. Ganja smoked by Purdesees, Cutchees,
Mawaris, low caste Maharattas, Fakirs of both
Hindu and Mahammadan castes, and Gosains
(all over Sind).
Charas by Pathans, Punjabees, Seedees,
Beloochees, and other Sindhi Muhammadans,
Sindhi fakirs (ascertained at retail shops and by
observation of customers).
21. The flat ganja is only used in Sind, it being
preferred.
22. Foreign. Imported from Umritsar, where
it is said to be brought from Ladak and Yarkand
(in Bokhara).
23. No; it burns off too soon if so used.
24. Bhang is only drunk (not eaten) by Sindhi
Hindus of all kinds, i.e., (Banias, Amils, etc.)
Sindhi Muhammadans of all kinds, Fakirs,
Gosains, etc.
Looking at the classes who consume bhang in
Karachi, I think more than half the people use
bhang.
25. Slightly on increase according to accounts
of retail shops. Due partly to increase of popu-
lation and to the suppression of the illicit impor-
tation of ganja from Cutch, Lus Beyla and other
places, and charas by rail from Punjab.
26. No returns are kept of consumers. Most
consumers, especially of bhang, are habitual
moderate. The habitual excessive and occasional
moderate consumers are a small minority.
27. (a) Habitual moderate. Sindhi Hindus
(Banias, Amils, etc.) Sindhi Muhammadans of
the better class, Pathans, Beloochees, Cutchees,
Marwaris, Punjabees and some Sidees and low
caste Maharattas.
(b) Habitual excessive consumers, Sindi
M u h a m - m a d a n s o f t h e l o w e r c l a s s e s , f a k i r s ( H i n d u a n d
Muhammadan), Gosains and some Seedees.
(Ascertained by observation and knowledge of
the habits of the different classes.)
28. Habitual moderate—-
Bhang, 1 pie to 3 pies.
Ganja, 1 pice.
Charas, 1 pice.
Habitual excessive
—
Bhang, 2 pice (including massala).
Ganja, 2 pice to 3 or 4.
Charas, 2 pice to 3 or 4.
29. (a) Bhang seed, poppy seed and pepper.
(b) By well-to-do classes.—Dry roses, aniseed,
sugarcandy are added sometimes.
Bhang massala is not sold here.
30. Bhang consumed much in company, but
sometimes alone. Ganja consumed much in com-
- p a n y , b u t s o m e t i m e s a l o n e . C h a r a s m o s t l y i n
company, especially by habitual excessive consumers.
Consumption mainly confined to male sex. Although
sometimes females consume bhang, not usual for
children to consume any of these drugs.
31. The habit of consuming all these drugs is
easily formed. In the case of excessive consumers
of ganja and charas, it is somewhat difficult to
break off the habit. Except there be strong will
power, there is a tendency for the moderate habit
of ganja and charas to devolop into excessive.
(Ascertained from close enquiries among numerous
consumers).
32. There is no religious custom in regard to
consumption of these drugs. At the annual fair
held at Manora and daily at some of the Hindu
temples (tikanas), earthen pots, containing a weak
preparation of bhang, are kept for general use. It
is done as an act of charity. The practice is an
old one and not likely to lead to the formation of
the habit.
33. The consumption of bhang is generally con-
sidered as being innocuous. There is no opinion,
religious, regarding the practice. Habitual exces--
sive consumers of ganja and charas are termed
Mowalees or sluggards on account of the lazy
habits attained by some of these men. There is
no custom as far as I can ascertain of the wor-
- s h i p p i n g o f t h e p l a n t , b u t i t i s h e l d i n v e n e r a t i o n
by Hindu Gosains and Sadhus.
34. It would be a serious privation for con-
sumers to forego the consumption of the drug they
use. The reasons are :—
Especially in the case of bhang, about half the
p o p u l a t i o n , I s h o u l d s a y , u s e i t i n m o d e r a t i o n ; t o t h o s e e s p e c i a l l y w h o w o r k o u t o f d o o r s , e x p o s e d
to the heat in a Province like Sind, the use of
bhang is a kind of necessity to enable them to
bear the heat of the day.