Occupational Identity And Contributions
Traditionally known for toddy tapping, the Ezhavas were also known for the Ezhava system of plant classification. This knowledge was first mapped by Hendrik Adriaan van Reede tot Drakenstein, the then Dutch Governor of Cochin. The result of the data collection was the publication of Hortus Malabaricus a 12 volume collection of plant descriptions and diagrams.
He was assisted in this task of classification by Itty Achuden, a Vaidyar of the Collada family. The family maintained its records in a palm leaf form, and this was passed on. However, these sources vanished soon after the Hortus was published. Nothing more of Itty Achuden is known.
An english version of the Hortus Malabaricus was translated by K. S. Manilal. The book is published by the University of Kerala and is available.
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