In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to :
- (a) Clothing
- (b) Coins ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Ornaments
- (d) Weapons
Why the answer is (b)
• The fanam was a small gold (later silver) coin of South India, current from the Chola period through the Vijayanagara empire and the Travancore and Mysore kingdoms — option (b).
• Ten fanams generally made one varaha or pagoda, the standard Vijayanagara gold coin; foreign travellers like Nuniz describe prices in fanams.
• The word survives in the Malayalam 'panam' (money).
• It was not an item of clothing, ornament or weaponry.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Clothing
- Fanam was a coin, not clothing.
- (c) Ornaments
- Fanam was currency, not an ornament.
- (d) Weapons
- Fanam was a coin, not a weapon.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.