203
68. There are no houses and shops, as far as I
learn, in this district licensed for the sale of these
drugs on the premises of which they are consum-
ed.
69. No ; wishes of the people are not consulted
(not even for the vend of liquor) before a shop
is opened. No, I don't think.
70. I think the duty is fully paid. I think
not.
106. Evidence of RAO BAHADUR HUCHRAO ACHUT HARIHAR, Deshast Brahmin,
Pleader, District Court, Belgaum.
1. The answers to the questions below are framed
from several investigations made by me with
regard to the hemp drugs, my chief sources of in-
formation being the ganja contractor and the per-
sons who habitually use the hemp drugs, and
others.
I have had no sufficient and detailed informa-
tion before I received these questions. I had
some general information, by the light of which I
made careful inquiries on the receipt of these
questions.
2. The narcotic articles referred to in the ques
- t i o n s a r e l o c a l l y k n o w n b y t h e f o l l o w i n g n a m e s :
Ganja, bhang or subji, and charas.
The plant which produces these above things is
locally known as the "ganja plant." Ganja plant
does not grow in this district, but it is said that
it grows in the Satara, Ahmednagar and some
other districts. Ganja is not manufactured here.
Only the flat ganja is imported here from some
other districts, where it is grown and manufac-
tured. Bhang is seldom used, Round ganja and
charas are not at all used, nor are they sold here.
But a very few people possess a very small quan-
tity of charas obtained directly from the place
where it is manufactured.
Ganja plant produces three things, viz., ganja,
charas and bhang. Ganja consists of dried flower-
ing tops of female ganja plant. It is made flat
by being trodden under foot and also pressing it
under a heavy weight. Bhang consists of dried
and broken leaves of the ganja plant. Charas
consists of the sticky substance or resinous matter
which sticks to the palm of the hand while re-
moving the leaves of the ganja plant, and which
substance is shaped into small pills.
3 to 6. I have no information.
7. No ; but there is a species of hemp plant
known as "ambada" in the Marathi language and
" poondi" in Canarese, which is used for cordage
or fibre ; but it is quite different from the hemp
plant which is referred to in the questions.
13. It is not cultivated in this district, but in
the Satara, Ahmednagar and other districts. Its
cultivation is not common to all districts. They
say it does not require a heavy and constant rain-
fall, so its cultivation in some parts of this district
is not impossible. But I cannot exactly say why
its cultivation is totally neglected in this district.
14. No.
18. Ganja and bhang (don't know about charas)
deteriorate by keeping long. Yes, it loses in
quality in time. With ordinary care it will be
kept good for about a year. The special measures
to keep it from deterioration consist in exposing it
to air and not allowing it to have any contact
with dampness or water.
(1) Statistical return for the year 1892-93
vol. vii.
showing the revenue of the whole district of Bel
- gaum :—
TALUKAS.
Rs.
1 Cantonment of Belgaum
.
.
. 355
1 Town of Belgaum
.
.
.
. 800
1 Taluka Chikodi
.
.
.
. 895
1 „ Athani .
,
.
.
. 210
1 „ Gokak .
.
.
.
. 315
1 „ Parasgad
.
,
. 160
1 „ Sampgaum
.
.
.
. 790
1 „ Khanapur
.
.
.
. 390
3,905
(2) The revenue of the year 1893-94, Rs. 3,687.
19. Ganja is only used here for smoking. Cha-
ras is very rarely or not at all used.
20. Almost all the gosawis and bairagis and
(some) professional songsters use ganja for smok-
ing. Some lower classes of Hindus and Muham
-
madans also use it in temples, in their respective
houses and in other places in company of their
friends.
Proportion of smokers cannot be ascertained.
21. Flat ganja only is used here for smoking.
" Chur " is used by the poorer classes.
22. Charas is not at all used here.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking in this
district.
24. Bhang is prepared into " ghota" and used
for drinking by some people in almost all the
classes. Bhang is eaten in the form of " majum"
tablets, which are prepared by the admixture of
bhang, sugar and ghee. Proportion of the people
cannot be ascertained.
25. The use of ganja and bhang is reported to
have increased, because—
1stly—Population is increasing with rapid
strides.
2ndly—These are comparatively cheap intoxi-
cants.
3rdly—Contagious influence of the surround-
ings in the lower classes.
4thly—Want of education among the back-
ward classes.
26. Cannot be ascertained.
28. Moderate consumers use one tola of ganja,
whereas habitual excessive consumers use five tolas
per diem. The price of a tola here is six pies.
29. Tobacco is ordinarily mixed with ganja by
consumers and dhatura also is sometimes mixed
by some people, the object being that the ad-
mixture produces more intoxication. Bhang mas-
sala is not sold here, but the massala consists of
sugar, poppy seeds, owa, ginger, and cocoanut
juice.
30. Extent of consumption in solitude or in
company cannot be ascertained. It is consumed
by the male sex above twelve years of age at any
2 F 2