In medieval India, the term "Fanam" referred to:

Notes that variations of the word 'paṇa' survive in southern languages as 'paṇam' (Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam) and that these words mean money.

A student could use this pattern of 'paṇa → paṇam' to hypothesize that a regional phonetic variant like 'fanam' might likewise denote a monetary term and then check medieval South Indian texts/inscriptions for 'fanam'.

Explains that coins were called kārṣhāpaṇas or paṇas and that rulers issued coinage—establishing 'paṇa' as a standard lexical item for coins.

One can extend the lexical rule 'paṇa = coin' to investigate whether 'fanam' is a dialectal or later form of the same root appearing in medieval coin lists or numismatic catalogues.

States that in the Mauryan period silver coins were known as 'pana', showing early use of the same root for money across historical periods.

Use continuity of the term 'pana' across eras to justify searching medieval records and regional languages for evolved forms like 'fanam' used for coins.

Discusses punch-marked and later coins issued by mahājanapadas and neighbouring regions, implying multiple local names and variants for coin types existed.

Given many regional coin names, a student could reasonably look for 'fanam' among documented regional coin-terms in medieval southern India or in travel accounts describing local money.

Notes that coins bore names/symbols and that numismatists use such terms to identify currencies and issuers, implying terminology for coins evolves and is recorded.

A student could follow numismatic practice—consult catalogues or inscriptions for coin-terms—to see if 'fanam' appears as a named denomination in medieval coin records.

Gives an example (nishka) of a specific named object that is explicitly a gold/silver ornament used in exchange, showing that single-word technical names were used for ornaments.

A student could look for other single-word names (like 'fanam') in inscriptions, barter lists or chronicles to see if they function similarly as names for ornaments rather than money.

Describes widespread use of gold and silver ornaments in the (early medieval) Harsha period and distinguishes ornament types (rings, bracelets, necklaces), implying period texts commonly name ornaments.

One could check medieval literary or travel accounts from the same broad era for the term 'fanam' to see if it appears in lists of ornaments or dress.

Shows craft production specialized in bead and ornament making, indicating a vocabulary and trade for ornaments existed across sites and periods.

Compare craft/trade inventories or archaeological find‑lists for named object types to determine whether 'fanam' appears as a craft product (ornament) or as something else (e.g., coin).

Notes Harappans exported 'ornaments' and names particular ornament types (carnelian beads, shell bangles), illustrating that distinct object names were used in trade records.

A student could examine trade documents or export lists from later periods to see if 'fanam' is listed among exported ornament types.

Visual/archaeological evidence of people wearing multiple named ornaments (bangles, necklaces) suggests the existence of specific terms for various adornments over time.

Use iconographic and inscriptional parallels to search for 'fanam' as a label or caption for depicted ornaments in medieval art or temple records.

Shows Indo-Persian and regional sources use specific, consistent terms (e.g., raiyat, kisan) to denote social categories, indicating historical texts regularly assign precise words to particular meanings.

A student could check medieval Indo-Persian or regional glossaries and revenue/trade records to see whether 'Fanam' appears as a technical term and in what semantic field (currency, weapon, trade good).

Notes the prominent role of bazaars/markets in medieval Indian cities, implying specialized vocabularies (for coins, weights, wares, weapons) would circulate in such marketplaces.

One could examine market records, travel accounts, or merchant manuals from medieval towns to see if 'Fanam' is listed among coin names or commodity/weapon names.

Documents the historical introduction and naming of new military technology (guns, artillery) from the mid-14th century onward, showing weapon-terms often enter vocabularies with technological change.

A student could trace when words for new weapon types appear in sources; if 'Fanam' does not appear in military/armament contexts while other new-weapon terms do, that argues against it being a weapon-name.

Describes Portuguese introduction of military innovations and likely new terminology in the 16th century, illustrating that foreign contact can introduce or shift names for weapons and military gear.

Compare pre- and post-contact military vocabularies in coastal/regional sources to detect whether 'Fanam' emerges as a loanword for an armament after such contacts (or is absent).

Explains that the label 'medieval' is imprecise and borrowed from European historiography, warning that semantic ranges of words can differ across regions and periods.

Use this caution to look for regional/temporal definitions of 'Fanam' (e.g., coin vs. object) rather than assuming its meaning from later or European usages.