194 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. X.
488. There are few, if any, classes of the community some members of which
Classes who use the drugs as
stimulants.
do not use hemp drugs in some form. There are reli-
gious objections to the use of intoxicants by Muham-
madans, and these deter such of this class as are orthodox from indulging in these
drugs. Many of the Hindus who are both orthodox and respectable consider it
contrary to their religion to indulge in these or any other intoxicants, though
many of the same class also believe that they may, at least occasionally at feasts,
take bhang. Orthodox Sikhs do not smoke, and therefore regard ganja and
charas as prohibited, though they do not see the same religious objection to drink-
ing bhang. These are illustrations of classes which generally abstain. Members
even of these classes are, however, found among the consumers of these drugs. It
may be said probably with safety that there is no class of the community that does
not to some extent partake of these drugs. At the same time consumption is in
the main confined to particular classes. Ganja or charas is chiefly used by
(I) "religious" persons, such as fakirs and wandering mendicants, sadhus and
pandahs, the followers of Trinath, and other sects; (2) the lower classes of both
Hindus and Muhammadans, such as artizans and cultivators, fishermen and boat-
men, palki-bearers and day labourers, sepoys and night watchmen, wrestlers and
athletes, Chamars and Domes, and others of the lower orders; (3) domestic
servants of all kinds, especially those who, as syces, durwans, or dhobis, have
especially trying work to do; (4) aborigines of different races, such as Sonthals,
Gonds, and many more; (5) tradesmen, Kayasths, and others of the lower
middle classes. These are among the classes specially mentioned by witnesses
as smoking hemp drugs. Among the upper classes this habit is generally
regarded as exceptional and indicating a special tendency to dissipation, but
not so among these lower classes. Bhang is also used to some extent by
these classes, but is more generally used by the more respectable middle and
upper classes. Among those who are specially mentioned as habitually using
it are Marwaris, Banias, and jewellers, sharp, intelligent, and successful trades-
men. Bhang is also occasionally used more or less generally by practically all
classes on certain feast days and at times of social rejoicing. Like all intoxicants
everywhere, the drugs are used in moderation, but more frequently to excess, by
licentious and dissipated persons of all classes. Except, however, in the case
of religious mendicants, the use by all the classes named above is generally
moderate. Excess is exceptional.
489. From what has been said above it will be expected that there would be
many witnesses whose opinion regarding the use of
these drugs as stimulants would not be favourable.
The very great majority of witnesses in all provinces declare that this use of the
drugs is regarded with disapproval by the people generally. This disapproval rests
on several grounds. It depends partly on the classes using the drugs. Many
witnesses point out that ganja is the cheapest intoxicant, and that it is principally
used by the lower classes, while bhang is more used by the upper classes. They
state that it is on this account that ganja smoking is regarded with much
more general disfavour than bhang drinking. As one witness points out,
the feeling is somewhat akin to that which some Englishmen who do not gen-
erally disapprove of stimulants have regarding a "vulgar taste for gin." On the
other hand, the use of ganja by religious persons is not thus generally disapproved.
Popular opinion regarding this
use.