Q. In medieval India, the term "Fanam" referred to : (UPSC Prelims 2022)
Answer: Coins
Notes: The correct answer is [B] Coins. In medieval India, particularly in the southern regions, "Fanam" was a widely used currency.

• Historical Context: The Fanam (derived from the Sanskrit word 'Panam') was a small currency unit minted by various dynasties, including the Vijayanagara Empire, the Nayakas, and later the Marathas and European colonial powers like the Dutch and British.
• Composition: These coins were typically made of gold or silver. The gold fanams were famous for being extremely small and lightweight, often weighing only a few grains.
• Regional Usage: It was the standard currency in the Malabar region (modern-day Kerala) and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Travelers like Abdur Razzaq and Paes frequently mentioned these coins in their accounts of the Vijayanagara markets.
• Denominations: In the complex monetary system of the time, the Fanam served as a fractional unit of the larger gold coin known as the Varaha or Pagoda (usually 1 Varaha = 10 Fanams).

While the other options represent important aspects of medieval Indian life—such as Patola (Clothing), Karna-phul (Ornaments), and Urumi (Weapons)—the term Fanam specifically denotes the circulating medium of exchange.