50         REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [APP.

Statistics of consumption.

13. As regards the consumption of charas, the following details may be given. The
quantity (in maunds) retailed in each of the past two years
was:—

It will be seen from these figures that the consumption of this form of drug is heaviest in
the Delhi and Jullundur Divisions, while in the Rawalpindi and frontier Divisions it is com-
paratively small. I am not prepared to give any explanation of these facts. Within Divisions
the consumption is distributed on the whole very evenly. For further details I would
refer to Provincial Excise Statement C published with the Annual Excise Administration
Reports.

For bhang the following details (consumption in maunds) may be given:—

In none of the remaining districts did the consumption exceed 100 maunds. With regard to
these figures of the consumption of bhang one very important fact is established. The Mu-
hammadan population of the south-western districts (Mooltan, Muzaffargarh, and Dera Ghazi
Khan), who are prohibited by their religion from the use of spirits, are to a very large extent
addicted to drinking an infusion of bhang as an intoxicant. It will be observed that the con-
sumption in the two districts of Mooltan and Dera Ghazi Khan is between one-fourth and
one-fifth of that of the whole province. In these districts bhang is undoubtedly a substitute
with the Muhammadan population for the spirits which their creed forbids them to take.

Another fact that may be noted is that the districts of Ferozepore, Ludhiana, Lahore, and
Amritsar, which come after Mooltan and Dera Ghazi Khan in this matter of consumption of