168
53. No, except that the consumer sometimes
talks nonsense.
54. Yes.
55. Yes, because persons not accustomed to the
use easily become victims to them, while habitual
consumers cannot be stupified without some admix¬
ture such as dhatura, etc.
Answer No. 239.
20. The total number of men in the battery
is 164.
(a) Combatants
124
(b) Non-combatants
40
All the above are authorised camp-followers.
No one in the battery uses any drug prepared
from bhang.
24. No one in the battery uses bhang.
25. As no one uses these drugs in the battery,
no increase or decrease can be stated, but in a gene¬
ral way it may be said that the use of these drugs
is on the increase, because now-a-days vagabonds
go into the company of such beggars who use
these drugs, and thus become habitual consumers.
It is evident that now-a-days it is very difficult to
obtain employment, hence the people become idlers,
who oblige their friends to use the drugs.
28. The daily cost of the drugs for a poor man
is 3 annas and for a rich man 8 annas to 1
rupee. The above expenses include the cost of diet
also.
32. There is no religious custom in this part
of the country in regard to the use of these drugs.
Most of the sadhus use them. There is a social
custom as stated in reply to question 25.
33. Evidently there is no benefit in using these
drugs, and no opinion can be formed by the native
army. As these drugs produce intoxication, hence
the consumers often become degraded: for instance
one drinks bhang or any other intoxicant; he
talks nonsense and appears to be a madman.
These intoxicants make the consumer coward. The
Hindus consider bhang the plant of Shiva, but it is
difficult to decide whether the people worship it
or not.
39. Bhang-smoking is more injurious than its
drinking, because it weakens the chest.
Other
preparations of bhang are not harmful, because
most of the sweetmeats in which the bhang is
mixed contain such ingredients, which lessen its
effect.
41. It does no good.
42. Even if it be used moderately (sic), still it
is injurious. Some people who often fall ill, or
whose health is impaired, use bhang to increase their
appetite and it thus serves as an accessory to food.
43. Not at all.
44. The people who use these drugs moderately
do not feel any instantaneous effect, but after half
an hour they feel some intoxication. It is not
refreshing but exhilarates those who are in the
habit of using it. It gives no intoxication (Masti),
but makes the man coward. It does not allay
hunger. It increases appetite. It is often seen
that a man eats double the quantity his usual meal.
If moderately used, its effects would last for three
hours, and if used in excess the effect lasts longer;
when the intoxication is over the man becomes too
weak. The want of subsequent gratification causes
uneasiness to the habitual consumer.
49. It gives no benefit, but rather weakens the
men.
51. Yes, most bad characters use these drugs,
their use has no connection with crime. Of course,
the consumer uses abusive language.
53. No.
54. No one uses them for this purpose because
they do not produce boldness.
55. Yes. But the habitual consumers never
become completely stupefied.
Answer No. 240.
20. Two hundred and three men—
Doms
100
Meghs
89
Hindu Dogras
3
Mazhis
2
Mussalman Dogras
3
Sweepers
2
Bhistis
4
(a) Combatants
196
(b) Non-combatants
7
(c) Authorised camp followers
All
Only 1 man of the Dom tribe uses charas.
24. As already stated, only 1 man of the Dom
tribe uses charas. He was dismissed from infan¬
try on this account.
25. In former times the beggars (mendicants)
only used to consume these intoxicating drugs, but
now-a-days many Hindus and Muhammadans have
become addicted to their use. It is therefore
evident that the use of these drugs is on the
increase.
28. Charas—3 pies per diem. Bhang is not
consumed by any one (in this regiment).
32. On the Shivratri festival almost all the
Hindus drink bhang, which, as described in shastras,
is considered to be a favourite drink of the God
Shiva.
33. What is most peculiar in these drugs is that
whoever takes them falls so fast asleep in an hour
or two that he becomes quite forgetful of every
thing. Hence the use of such drugs in native
forces is very objectionable.
Bhang-worshipping has neither been seen nor
heard.
39. If bhang cooked with meat be taken it would
produce a little intoxication, and would be less
injurious to the consumer than if taken otherwise.
41. The moderate use of bhang during summer,
i.e., in the months of Jaith and Har, has a cooling
and beneficial effect to some extent.
42. The medicinal use of these drugs is not
harmful.
43. The ganja-smokers sometimes fall senseless
with chillum in their hands, with the result that
their clothes or houses catch fire, and thus their
neighbours are put into danger. The complete
stupefaction brings about death.