518
continue to use the
drugs. Furthermore, the
smokers will betake themselves to crime to raise
money to satisfy their intoxicating propensity.
Considering the matter from all points of view, I
would leave it as a necessary evil beyond control.
58. I am not exactly
aware of the system of
excise arrangement with reference to this subject.
So far I may say, I have travelled much in the
interior, and have never heard in any place that
the excise arrangement is in any way inadequate
to meet the requirements against abuse. Certain-
ly I would not allow excise arrangements to be
curtailed.
35. I have an estate in
Saugor Island, where I
generally reside five to six months continually. I
look upon the people as my children, and they in
return entertain kind regards for me. Some men-
dicants have taught most of
my people to smoke
ganja. I have tried my utmost to suppress it,
but I am sorry to say I have failed. This led me
to think that it would be useless to make an
attempt to prohibit the use of the drugs. As an
economic question, I may point out that this is a
cheap intoxicating drug acceptable to the poor
class of people, and it is a grave question whether
its restriction may not lead the people to resort to
expensive intoxicating substances.
It should be borne in
mind that India is a poor
country, and the major portion of the people can-
not afford to expend much. It is all very well to
advise people what they ought to do; but to make
them conform to such advice is a different matter.
A horse may be taken to the water; but to make
him drink against his wish is impossible.
246. Evidence of BABU MAHENDRA NATH ROY, of Santa, Jessore.
1. The information
that I have gathered from
the numerous ganja-smoking persons in this part
of the country authorize to answer the questions
framed by the Commission.
2. As regards Dr.
Prain's report, is quite correct,
and in our part of the country people corroborate
his assertions.
3. Ganja is
indigenous in every part of Hindus-
tan, but where taken care of and being cultivated,
ganja is produced.
4. There are no
different names of ganja in this
part of the country that I know of.
5. Ganja grows in
the mountainous regions as
well as in the swampy plains and on the sandy
and alluvial soil, and remains throughout the
year.
6. The growth of
the wild hemp is ordinarily
dense or scattered.
7. There is no
cultivation of hemp in our part
of. the country, neither do the people produce
hemp, bhang and charas, or take out fibre or seed.
8. As there is no
cultivation of ganja, so there
is no increase or decrease
of the area.
9. I do not know the method of cultivation.
18. Yes; it
deteriorates after long keeping.
It remains well for a year. It is generally worm-
eaten. It can keep well if it be kept in a dry
place.
19. Ganja and
charas are generally used for
smoking, and there may be other preparations,
but they are not prevalent in this part of the
country.
20. It is generally
the lower classes of the com-
munity that use ganja and charas.
21. The round class
is generally preferred by
the public.
22. Foreign charas
is generally used, and is im-
ported from Nepal and Punjab.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking.
24. All classes of the
community drink bhang,
not generally in Bengal, but in the North-West-
ern Provinces, where its general use is prevalent.
It is also mixed with sweetmeats, and is called
majun, and is used by the people of the North-
Western Provinces.
25. The use of charas,
bhang, and ganja is on
the decrease on account of the importation of
foreign wine and of its heavy tax.
27. It is the lowest
class who generally begets
the habit of smoking, such as the palki-bearers,
carpenters, and common labourers who, after the
day's labour, take it for refreshment.
29. Bhang massalas
are known to be cucumber
seed, rosebuds, aniseed and round black pepper,
with the admixture of milk, rosewater, attar and
sometimes dhatura seeds to make it more effective.
30. Ganja and
charas are generally smoked in
company, and bhang is almost used in solitude
and sometimes in company during festivals, such
as Bijoya Dasami day.
31. The habit of these
drugs is always acquired
from company. It is not at all difficult to break
off. The tendency of these drugs develops into
excess.
32. Bhang and ganja
are generally used by
the Hindus, from time immemorial, for it is re-
garded sacred since their god Siva used them,
and it is essentially necessary to some of the re-
ligious sects. The moderate use of these drugs is
not injurious.
33. Bhang is
generally worshipped by Hindus
in general, and it is not looked down by the public
as with alcohol drinkers, and it is not generally in
disrepute.
34. Yes, it is with
the mendicants, fakirs,
nagas and sanyasis to forego the use of bhang
and ganja.
35. It is not
feasible to prohibit the consump-
tion of these drugs, since it will create serious dis-
contentment throughout the country, and no sub-
stitute will have recourse to alcoholic stimulants
or other drugs.
36. Yes; alcohol has, in
certain extent, sub-
stituted for these drugs, specially to the higher
English-knowing middle classes, simply to imitate
English habits.
37. Ganja is more strong than charas.
40. It is used for
medicinal purposes by
kabirajes, allopaths, and homeopaths, adapted to
diseases of drunkards of a neurotic character and
to the urinary diseases. The characteristic of the
intoxication it produces seems to be exaggeration
of all perceptions and conceptions (aphrodisiac)
and tendency to catalepsy. It is one of the great
remedies to gonorrhœa, and also to cattle-diseases.
41. Yes, it is stomachic.
It is preventive of
exposure and fatigue.