Vol 5 No 2 | Jul-Sep 2025
I Have Seen It
Story by Cordelia Francis | Art by Lokesh Khodke
About the book
Garcia de Orta’s ‘Colóquios dos Simples e Drogas da India’ (1563) was a ground-breaking treatise on Indian medicinal plants and spices, written in Portuguese and structured as a dialogue between Orta and a fictional character, Dr. Ruano. This format allowed Orta to explore complex medical ideas in an engaging and accessible way, presenting multiple viewpoints and addressing European scepticism.
Unlike traditional texts that relied on classical authorities, Orta emphasises empirical observation and personal experience, offering detailed, practical descriptions of the plants he encountered in India. His language reflects a fusion of cultures, incorporating Sanskrit, Arabic, Konkani, and Marathi terms, showcasing the multicultural environment of Portuguese Goa. Orta frequently challenges outdated European medical theories, often with wit and irreverence, and argues for the validity and superiority of Indian remedies. His work also served colonial interests by cataloguing valuable trade goods, thus functioning as both a scientific and economic guide.
About Garcia de Orta:
View of Jardim Garcia de Orta (Panjim Garden):
Funny and interesting anecdotes from the book
1. The case of the mango: One of the most famous passages in the Colóquios is Orta’s enthusiastic discussion of mangoes. He describes their taste and medicinal benefits. Orta acknowledges that mangoes can sometimes cause health issues (like fevers or rashes), but he dismisses these concerns, asserting that the joy of eating them far outweighs any minor discomfort.
2. Challenging European authorities: Orta frequently challenges classical Greek and Roman medical authorities like Dioscorides and Galen. One amusing moment comes when he points out that some European scholars describe cinnamon as coming from birds’ nests—an old myth. He dismisses this outright, having seen the actual cinnamon trees in India.
3. A conversation about betel leaves: Orta describes how Indians chew betel leaves mixed with areca nut and lime, a common practice even today. Dr. Ruano finds this strange, questioning whether it is healthy. Orta not only defends the practice but describes how it freshens breath and strengthens gums. He even mentions that European women in Goa have started using it, showing how local customs influenced colonial settlers.
To read the English translation of the Colóquios, click this link:
https://archive.org/details/colloquiesonsimp00orta/page/n7/mode/2up
Antónia and slavery in 16th century Goa
Beyond her appearances in the Colóquios, there is limited information available about Antónia’s life. No comprehensive biographies or dedicated studies about her are known to exist. Antónia’s enslavement was likely due to one or a combination of various factors that led to the slave trade. She might have been a war captive, a victim of the Portuguese slave trade, or a girl from a marginalised community who was forced into servitude due to economic hardship.
Her presence in Garcia de Orta’s household suggests that she was both a domestic servant and an informant on local medicinal knowledge, highlighting the complex intersections of slavery, colonialism, and scientific inquiry in early modern Goa. A linguistic and cultural bridge, she served as an intermediary between Orta and local Indian knowledge systems. Given her Konkani background, she likely helped him communicate with native Indian informants.
