330

24. (a) People only eat bhang when they can't
get the things to prepare it as a drink.

(b) Brahmins about 10 or 15 per cent., Kayasths
about 10 per cent., banias about 10 per cent.,
thakurs about 10 per cent., Nais and Kahars
about 70 or 80 per cent., other low castes 20 or
25 per cent., low classes of Musalmans about
5 per cent.

25. People are using charas in this district more,
because the land is now damper owing to the pres-
ence of the canal. They use bhang less because of
the same reason. It is not used in the rains.

26.   (a) 25 or 30 per cent.

(b)  7 or 8 per cent.

(c)  15 or 16 per cent.

(d)   5 or 10 per cent.

27.   (a) Kahars.

(b)   Fakirs, Ghat Brahmins.

(c)  and (d) All castes.

Kahars are refreshed and are intoxicated by use
of these drugs so as not to feel fatigue.

Brahmins take charas and ganja so as to render
themselves impotent, and bhang to refresh them-
selves and excite their imagination.

28.   Bhang: (a) One pice worth, or 6 mashas.

(b) One anna worth, or 1 chittack.

Charas: (a) Two pice worth, or 3 mashas.

(b) Two or three annas worth, 1½ or 2 tolas.

29.   (a) Aniseed, black pepper, cardamoms.

(b) For persons of a moist nature—almonds,
ginger.

For persons of a dry hot nature—kasni, kakri
seeds.

Dhatura very rarely used. It is for purposes of
intoxication.

30.   (a) Generally used in company.

(b) Only women of loose character use these
drugs.

(c) Children never touch ganja or charas, but
sometimes are allowed to drink bhang.

31.  Easily formed, and, when formed, very hard
to break off. There is not a tendency for the habit
to increase as a rule, except in case of charas.

32.   There is a custom in the Holi of offering
bhang and majun. It is not religious or essential,
and the habit is not formed by it, and it is not
injurious.

33.   Ganja and charas are very bad, because they
injure health, eyes, etc. Bhang is not so bad,
because its benefits are equal to its evil qualities.
Never worshipped.

34.  If the consumption were stopped by degrees
there would be no harm done; but if it were
broken off at once the consumers would feel it very
much.

35.  Fakirs would suffer very much. It would
be very hard to break it off at once. There would
be a danger of it being used illicitly, and they
would feel discontented, but there would be no
political danger.

Alcohol would not be used, because the people
who use these drugs don't take alcohol.

37. None at all, except ganja has slightly more
effect.

40.   Bhang is used as an astringent, and also as
an outward application. It is given to cattle with
salt to promote digestion.

41.   (a) None.

(b) Not beneficial, but deadens people's senses.

(c) Bhang is given to low caste people in cases
of agues and is good.

(d) Bhang is beneficial for dysentery and kindred
disease.

Ganja and charas are not beneficial at all.

42.   Ganja and charas are bad, even when used
moderately.

Bhang, if used moderately, is very slightly
harmful, because it injures the digestion.

43.  Not at all.

44.   Ganja and charas.—Intoxication comes on
at once, hunger is allayed, and there is no refresh-
ment. The effects last two or two and a half
hours.

Bhang.—Hunger is caused, and the effect is
refreshing, followed by intoxication, but not be-
coming senseless. Effects last two or two and a
half hours.

Longing and uneasiness are caused by want of
subsequent gratification.

45. The body is dried up and so is the blood;
the lungs are injured by ganja and charas, and so
are the brains and eyes. Bhang only injures the
stomach, because it causes more food to be taken
than is good. Charas and ganja injure appetite
and digestion. Charas and ganja cause bronchitis
and asthma. Charas and ganja cause laziness and
impair the moral sense, but do not induce habits of
debauchery, as they produce impotence. Bhang
has no such effect. Ganja and charas produce
insanity, but I have not seen a case. Bhang has
not this effect.

47. Not hereditary. Children of charas and
ganja smokers may be affected. Children of bhang
drinkers not affected.

49. It is so used. Prostitutes also use it. The
use is very injurious, and produces impotence.

51. Bad characters use these drugs, but their
use has no connection with crime.

53.   No, because the senses are deadened in in-
toxication.

54.  No, because they would lose their spirits.

55.   Never.

59. Yes; but if charas and ganja were abolished
it would be better.

62. Control ought to be exercised; but I can't
suggest how.

65. Charas and ganja should be taxed more
heavily.

245. Evidence of KUNWAR KHARAQ SINGH, Thakur, Landholder, Sugar Manufac-
                          turer and Usurer, Mauza Nahil, Tchsil Powayan.

3.   The hemp grows spontaneously in Kheri, in
the north of this district, and in Bijnor.

4.   Ganja (flat) pathari or pathar, murra or
chur.

5.   Grows chiefly in sandy soil. On the hills it
grows wild.

6.   In places dense. In places scattered.

7.   No.