Plants, Power and Knowledge: An Exploration of the Imperial Networks and the Circuits of Botanical Knowledge and Medical Systems on the Western Coast of India Against the backdrop of European Expansionism (original) (raw)

The paper explores the complex interplay between botanical knowledge and medical systems on the Western coast of India during the period of European expansion. Focusing on the Indo-Portuguese-Dutch engagements, it examines key texts such as Garcia Da Orta's dialogues and Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede's works alongside Indian Ayurvedic texts. By analyzing these interactions, the study reveals how indigenous knowledge was collected and integrated into European networks, highlighting the significance of botanical transfers in the context of empire-building.