197
often. I noticed more and more that there was
something wrong about his physical condition
that affected his mind. At times he was exceed-
ingly restive. His eyes had a strange brightness
and spittle ran from his mouth. I advised him
to visit the hospital. I went with him in order
to know about his case. Dr. McConaghy, the
Civil Surgeon, examined him but could not deter-
mine what his trouble was. He gave him some
medicine and asked me to bring him the next day.
The next morning he again examined him and
was still uncertain as to his difficulty. He gave
the man medicine and requested him to come
again the next day. That day I heard that the
man used ganja. When we met the doctor the
next day, I told him that the man smoked ganja.
He replied with emphasis—" That is what ails
him. I had not thought of that." I said—
" The man promises to give up the habit entirely."
The doctor said, " Unless you keep him under
your eye constantly he will never stop, and in
time he will land in the lunatic asylum." Over a
year and a half has passed since this occurred. The
man has continued to use the drug. He is often
violent, has quarrels and fights with his
neigh¬bours. He is considered a nuisance in the commu-
nity. Since I first knew him he has steadily
failed both physically and mentally. He seems
to be fulfilling Dr. McConaghy's prophecy.
About eight months ago he gave up his employ-
ment in the Municipality where he had worked
for many years. He now is without employ-
ment. He is unfit for work of any kind.
From all that I have seen of the effects of ganja,
I am satisfied that it is injurious to both the body
and the mind of the user.
104. Evidence of DESAIBHAI KALIDAS, Brahmin (Khedaval), Government
Pleader and Public Prosecutor, Kaira.
1. Being a constant visitor at Dakole for the
Darshana (worship) of Sri Ranchhodraiji
M a h a ¬
raj since the last thirty years, and being in charge
of an Annakshetra there for the sick and helpless
sadhus, bairagis, etc., and for all sorts of helpless
people in their sickness for the last nineteen years,
I had some opportunities of knowing the habits of
sadhus, bairagis, religious mendicants, etc. ; and
after the receipt of the following questions in the
last month I personally went to Dakore—a place
where thousands of such pilgrims are ever to be
found, to collect and verify the information given
below. It consequently mainly refers to sadhus,
etc., and other sorts of people who lead an ascetic
life wherever possible, information as to the
habits of common people is also given. Chapters
V and VI are the only ones dealt with.
19. Charas is used only for smoking. Ganja is
used for smoking as well as for being chewed and
eaten after washing it in water. Ganja when
chewed and eaten is stronger in effect than when
smoked. Consequently, when fire is not procur-
able, or when more intoxication is desired, ganja
is chewed. There are very few people who use
ganja like this. The generality uses it in smok--
ing ; ganja, instead of being smoked alone, is also
smoked with layers of tobacco above and below.
Charas is hardly obtainable in Gujarat ; conse-
quently it would not be far from truth to say that
there are none in Gujarat addicted to charas smok-
ing.
20. Those who smoke ganja are to be found in
great numbers at centres of pilgrimages ; and most
of them are sadhus and bairagis and such other
religious mendicants, who having left the world
devote their life in pilgrimages and worship and
meditation of God. Besides these, those who lead
a vagabondish life and maintain themselves on the
alms they get from Sadavrats are greatly addicted
to ganja smoking. The three higher classes,
Brahmans, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, look down
upon these practices ; and those who use ganja or
charas are hated by the public. Among the agri-
cultural classes of Gujarat there are not many
who are given to ganja smoking. They form only
a small number.
In Dakore almost all the sadhus, bairagis, jan-
gams, nagdas, dwarkawashis, teets, nanakshais,
smoke ganja, and consequently a considerable
portion of the male population of Dakore is also
addicted to the same habit by the company and
example of the above people, and in the secrecy
of their resorts.
In Gujarat this habit is not to be seen far and
wide. What little of it exists is to be found at
the centres of pilgrimages, such as Dakore,
Sidhapur,Chandod, Kadi, etc., and in towns and vil-
lages where there are places and akhadas of
sadhus and bairagis, etc. ; and it is from them
that the habit radiates. The people of those vil-
lages and towns where here are more of such
places, or where many such sadhus, etc., come and
go, are greatly affected by this habit, and in pro-
portion to their number they impart their con
¬ t a g i o n t o t h e s u r r o u n d i n g v i l l a g e s a l s o .
This habit is the result of company. But the
use of ganja is on the decrease in Gujarat owing
to the spread of education, and the slow, but
steady, growth of a healthy public opinion.
Native-made tobacco cigarettes are greatly in
demand now-a-days, and that is the fashion of the
time among the common people. Among the
latter alcohol is also to some extent substituted
among the lower grades of society.
N.B .—In answering the questions wherever
" sadhus, etc.," or " sadhus, bairagis, etc.," or simi-
lar words are used, the following are meant to be
included:—sadhus, bairagis, jangams, nagdas,
dwarkawashis, ateets, nanakshai, and such other
people who are generally designated by the people
as sadhus, or bairagis or abdhoots.
Sanyasis, those referred to and explained in
answer to question 24, are not included in the
above class.
21. Three kinds of ganja are known in Gujarat
as ascertained by me from the sadhus, etc., of
Dakore—(1) gardo, (2) baluchar, and (3) lilavo.
Baluchar is that in which the leaves are flattened
and are with twigs. Lilavo is produced on the plant
in the form of buds or flower tops. Their merit
for the purpose of intoxication is in the order in
which they are stated. In Gujarat only the lilavo
kind of ganja is sold, and that is what is generally
used in the province. Gardo and baluchar are
hardly obtainable in Gujarat; and none of them
is produced in the province. Charas is also not
produced in the province. Charas, gardo, and
baluchar are not drunk like bhang after being
crushed and powdered. This would bring on
soreness and inflammation of the throat. Conse¬