94
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
Boja.
"9. This is one of the intoxicating preparations in which bhang powder has to be used.
It is prepared as follows:—Ordinary jowari flour is soaked in water for a night, which is
boiled the next morning, and the kosht-kolanjan (the roots of Costus Arabicus), kuchla (Nux
vomica), and bhang powder are then mixed in it. Some mix the powder of the roots of aconite
with a view to increase the strength of the drink. The mixture thus prepared is then spread
on a mat and allowed to dry in the shade. This stuff is called 'kanya.' A second prepara-
tion, called mávyáche peith, is next prepared. Best sort of jowári is soaked in water for 11
days until the grain germinates. The jowari is then dried in the sun and ground into fine
flour. The two stuffs, viz., kanya and mávyáche peith, when proportionately mixed up, produce
a fluid substance like nuchhu, the common staple food of all classes of people in this part of
the country. This fluid substance is then stored up in a big earthen vessel called ránjan and
allowed to ferment therein. A small quantity of this preparation is mixed with water, which
is strained and drunk. No sugar or jaggery is used in preparing this drink. It produces a
strong intoxication to such an extent that the customers seldom leave the premises of shops,
but lie down there quietly until the intoxication subsides. The drink has a very sour smell,
and is used only during the hot season. It is sold in common earthen pots called 'moghas.'
I am further informed that the contractors, with a view to make good profits out of their
farm, buy deteriorated or rotten jowári for preparing the stuff called 'kanya.' Boja farm has
not been sold in the district, nor do I hear of any people of any class resorting to this drink.
"10. Majun, commonly called 'majum,' is another preparation of bhang and is pre-
pared in small cakes. Its preparation is as follows:—Ghi is allowed to boil in water for three
days and is then mixed with bhang powder and boiled. When boiling it a second time, some
quantity of ghi is added to the preparation, and while it is lukewarm, spices, such as carda-
moms, saffron, dried ginger, sugar or jaggery, &c., are put in. The stuff thus prepared is
then poured in a tray, and when cooled is cut into small cakes. It is used by both Hindus and
Mahomedans, who are generally addicted to the vice. It is given occasionally to the sick as a
sleeping draught, especially in small villages where medical aid is not available. Some use it
as a nervine tonic.
Fakki.
"11. This preparation is in the form of a powder and is prepared as follows:—
Bhang powder is carefully washed in the first instance. A very small quantity of ghi is put
in it and is slightly parched on a frying pan. The stuff is then reduced to fine powder, which
is mixed with poppy-seeds and sugar. It is used chiefly by Mahomedans and other people
who are given up to the vice.
"12. Bhang powder is also given, especially to plough cattle, as a tonic or preventive
against inclement weather in the Mallad part of the country (i.e., districts situated close to the
Sayhadri ranges). In a like manner it is also given in various forms to horses.
The use of the seed.
"13. Oil is extracted from the ganja seeds just as that from the safflower and other oil
seeds. Generally the oil is used for burning lamps, but when fresh it is also used, however
very rarely, for culinary purposes.
"14. Chutney is also made from the seeds. For this purpose the seeds are slightly
parched and mixed with chilly, salt, and other spices. The several ingredients are then well
pounded and used as chutney with bread. It has a good taste. The seeds form one of the
ingredients in native tonic medicines prepared by native doctors."
No. A/426, dated the 1st September 1893.
From—J. M. CAMPBELL, Esq., C.I.E., Collector of Land Revenue, Customs, and
Opium, Bombay,
To—The HON'BLE T. D. MACKENZIE, Commissioner of Customs, Salt, Opium, and
Abkari.
With reference to your letter No. 8741, dated the 21st July last, I have the honour to
report that the preparations of hemp known as ganja, bhang, and charas are consumed in the
town and island of Bombay.
2. The hemp plant from which these drugs are obtained is not cultivated in the island of
Bombay. Ganja is procured from the Deccan, chiefly from Ahmednagar, Nasik, and Satara;
bhang from Surat and Palanpur in North Gujarat; and charas from Amritsar and Hoshiar-
pur in Northern India.
3. As the hemp plant is not grown in Bombay, I trust I am right in thinking that any
account of the cultivation or process of manufacture, would be out of place in the present
report.