181
Answer No. 255.
20. Total strength
670
(a) Combatants—
Dogra Hindus
453
Gurkhas
60
Mussalmans
102
TOTAL
620
(b) Non-combatants—
Dogra Hindus
26
Mussalmans
6
Sweepers
6
Dogra Chamars
2
TOTAL
40
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Dogra Hindus
5
Hindustanis
2
Mussalman
1
Dogra Dooms
2
TOTAL
10
Ganja and charas are used by 6 Gurkhas and
1 sweeper.
24. Bhang is not eaten or drunk by any one
in this regiment.
25. In this regiment the use of ganja and
charas is on the decrease.
Bhang is not consumed by any one at all.
28. The average cost of each of these drugs is
9 pies per diem. As the drugs are not supplied
by the Commissariat. I have had to obtain this
information from the consumers.
32. Fakirs or medicants use these drugs to pro¬
tect themselves from cold, and to concentrate their
mind towards God, and to subdue their animal
passion. Among the Hindus the followers of the
Shakat religion consider the use of bhang as com¬
pulsory (vide "Bijya Kalp" Shastra).
33. The use of these drugs is regarded with dis¬
favour. There is no opinion in its favour in the
native army. I am informed that long ago, when
the army had to cross a mountain of a consider-
able height, the men used charas to protect them-
selves from severe cold. The use of charas is
generally in disrepute, because the beginners often
lose their intelligence and become obstinate. Ac¬
cording to my personal experience the use of
charas causes asthma and bronchitis. The hemp
plant is worshipped by the followers of Shakat
religion, as it is compulsory for them under the
Bijya Kalp Shastra to worship the plant.
39. No. They are rather injurious. The con¬
sumers of bhang are generally found strong, but
those of charas lean and sick.
41. The moderate use of bhang is beneficial.
It increases the digestive power and protects the
consumer from the bad effect of unwholesome
water.
42. Even the moderate use of charas and
ganja is not harmless. For reasons see answer to
question 39.
43. Certainly they are inoffensive to their
neighbours. But the charas-smokers being im¬
pudent men, often call names, thereby offending
their neighbours.
44. Yes, it is refreshing to some extent. It
gives intoxication but not animal passion.
It allays hunger, but not to all consumers.
It does create appetite. The effect of bhang
lasts for twelve hours and that of charas and ganja
for two or three hours. The after-effects are
laziness and pain in limbs.
Yes, the want of subsequent gratification pro¬
duces longing and uneasiness.
49. Yes, bhang is aphrodisiac, but charas and
ganja are the reverse.
51. The consumers of these drugs are consider¬
ed bad characters. They insult people, and thus
the use of the drugs has connection with crime.
53. The use of these drugs makes the con¬
sumer coward; hence they cannot possibly commit
any crime, violent or otherwise. The use of bhang
does not lead to temporary homicidal frenzy. The
life of charas and ganja-smokers is indeed in
danger on account of immediate stupefaction.
Some men have lost their lives in this way.
54. No.
55. Yes, it is true.
Complete stupefaction can be induced by the
drugs, even without admixture.
Answer No. 256.
20. Total strength
185
(a) Combatants—
Rajputs
7
San
7
Thakurs
9
Brahmins
2
Dogras
15
Sikh
1
Mussalmans
104
TOTAL
145
(b) Non-combatants—
Brahmin
1
Khattris
2
Dogras
8
Mussalmans
18
Dooms
8
Sweepers
2
TOTAL
39
Out of (b) 1 Mussalman smokes charas.
24. None in this battery eats or drinks bhang.
25. In this battery the use of these drugs is