162 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. IX.
to say that the custom is now a general one, and that where the Holi festival is
observed, there the practice of consuming bhang during its observance is common.
On other occasions, such as the Diwali festival, marriages, and family festivities,
there is evidence to show that among certain classes the consumption of bhang
is common. Allusion is also frequently made to the habit of using bhang, to
which, for example, the Chaubes of Mathra and Brindaban are notoriously addicted,
but how far the habit is connected with the religious observances at the temples
the evidence does not justify the formation of an opinion. A custom is mention-
ed by a Kumaon witness, Dharma Nand Joshi, who states that a class of people
called Kouls, who worship spirits, meat, fish, etc., have the bhang plant as one
of the objects of their worship.
Punjab.
440. In the Punjab there is evidence as to the general use of hemp by some
of the followers of Siva, and especially of bhang, at the
Holi, Dasehra, Diwali, and other festivals, and on the
occasion of marriages and other family festivities. Among the Sikhs the use of
bhang as a beverage appears to be common, and to be associated with their reli-
gious practices. The witnesses who refer to this use by the Sikhs appear to
regard it as an essential part of their religious rites having the authority of the
Granth or Sikh scripture. Witness Sodhi Iswar Singh, Extra Assistant Com-
missioner, says:—
"As far as I know, bhang is pounded by the Sikhs on the Dasehra day, and
it is ordinarily binding upon every Sikh to drink it as a sacred draught by mixing
water with it.
"Legend—Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, the founder of the Sikh
religion, was on the gaddi of Baba Nanak in the time of Emperor Aurangzeb.
When the guru was at Anandpur, tahsil Una, Hoshiarpur district, engaged in
battle with the Hill Rajas of the Simla, Kangra, and the Hoshiarpur districts, the
Rajas sent an elephant, who was trained in attacking and slaying the forces of the
enemy with a sword in his trunk and in breaking open the gates of forts, to
attack and capture the Lohgarh fort near Anandpur. The guru gave one of his
followers, Bachittar Singh, some bhang and a little of opium to eat, and directed
him to face the said elephant. This brave man obeyed the word of command
of his leader and attacked the elephant, who was intoxicated and had achieved
victories in several battles before, with the result that the animal was overpowered
and the Hill Rajas defeated. The use of bhang, therefore, on the Dasehra day is
necessary as a sacred draught. It is customary among the Sikhs generally to
drink bhang, so that Guru Gobind Singh has himself said the following poems
in praise of bhang: 'Give me, O Saki (butler), a cup of green colour (bhang),
as it is required by me at the time of battle' (vide 'Suraj Parkash,' the
Sikh religious book).
"Bhang is also used on the Chandas day, which is a festival of the god
Sheoji Mahadeva. The Sikhs consider it binding to use it on the Dasehra day.
The quantity then taken is too small to prove injurious."
As Sikhs are absolutely prohibited by their religion from smoking, the use
of ganja and charas in this form is not practised by them.
A unique custom of dispensing bhang at a religious charitable institution is
that mentioned by witness Baba Kirpa Singh. The institution, as a relic