Which one among the following is not a function of Mir Bakhshi, the head of the military department as well as of the nobility under Mughal rule?

The Mir Bakhshi was the head of the military department and the nobility under Mughal rule. His primary functions included making recommendations for the appointment and promotion of Mansabdars to the Emperor [5]. He was also responsible for the recruitment of soldiers, maintaining descriptive rolls (chehra), and branding horses (dagh) [4]. Additionally, the Mir Bakhshi acted as the head of the intelligence network, presenting reports from news writers (Waqia-navis) and information agencies to the Emperor [1]. However, the responsibility for all incomes, expenditures, and control over lands like Khalisa and Jagir rested with the Diwan (or Wazir), who headed the finance department [5]. The Mir Bakhshi's role was strictly military and administrative regarding the nobility, not financial. Security of highways was generally the duty of Faujdars or local officials, making option 3 the most definitive mismatch for his core central functions.

Sources

1. [3] https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144521189.pdf
2. [5] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map > The Mughal administrative framework > p. 53
3. [4] https://www.lkouniv.ac.in/site/writereaddata/siteContent/202004132159500580shama_mih_Central_Administration_of_Akbar.pdf
4. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakhshi_(Mughal_Empire)