Dadoji Konddeo
Encyclopedia
Dadoji Kondev (also known as Dadaji Konddeo and Dadoji Kondadev ,) was a 16th century revenue expert from India
, particularly known for his loyalty towards Shahaji. He was also a "Subhedar" (Military and Administrative head)of Kondana Fort (now known as Sinhagad
), and thus the Pune
region.
Deshastha Brahmin
of the Kulkarni family from the Daund
area in Maharashtra
. He hailed from Malthan, in the present day Shirur Tahsil in the Pune
District.
, a nobleman and a commander
in the Nizamshahi military of Ahmednagar. Shahaji proved himself as a brilliant commander. He was given independent land near the Pune
region.
Soon Shahaji Raje Bhosale became a prominent war-lord of the region. Due to the constant warfare between the three major powers, Mughals
(from north, based in Delhi and Agra), Adilshah (in south, based in Bijapur, current Karnataka State), and Nizam
, from east, Shahaji had to be constantly engage in diplomatic and political manouvres. He intended to have an independent kingdom, but couldn't defeat the combined might of the Mughal forces
and Adilshah. Eventually, after the death of his father-in-law, Jadhavrao, he joined Adilshah and was sent to Bangalore
as a commander of Adilshah's army. Shahaji Raje transferred his family, wife Jijaoo and son Shivaji, from fort Shivneri, near Junner, to Pune and appointed Dadoji as an ordinary officer of Shivaji.
and his son Baji Jedhe mentions about Dadoji Konddev as "He developed city Shivapur as per order by Shahajiraje in 1636 and Lal Mahal
in Pune in next year.
Dadoji Konddev was an absolutely pious, completely honest and highly efficient estate manager of Pune Jahagiri, owened by Rajmata Jijau.RAJMATA Jijau was a daughter of Sinkhedkar royal family. She was a faithful ‘ Patiwrata’wife of Shahaji Raje Bhosle and a loving and dutiful mother of Shivaji raje.
Dadoji Kond dev was born at Janefal town,near Sindkhed-Raja ,in Buldana District. Many historians say that Dadoji was born in a Samvedi lad Brahman family. Janefal is the VERY FIRST town owned by Sindkhadkar Jadhov family. Other towns like Deuljaon-Raja, Kingaon-Raja, Sindkhad-Raja, have been acquired by them by a pact with Moguls of Delhi; hence these towns have “Raja” adjective added to them. After Jadov family left Janefal and started living in Sindkhad-Raja, Dadoji woked as their estate manager in Janefal and got a reputation as an honest, efficient estate manager. Subsequently, because of the prevalent political situation, Rajmata Jidau had to reside in Pune Jahagiri, Sindkhedkar Jadaov selected and appointed Dadoji Kondav as an estate manager of this Jahagiri. Dadoji managed this estate with utmost honesty and efficiency. Because of stability and prosperity, brought out by Dadoji’s management, in this estate, Shivaji Maharaj could lay the foundation of an independent maratha kingdom. Dadoji might or might not be considered as Shivaji Maharaj’s guru (teacher), but he was certainly a very important and absolutely pious person of Shivaji period.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, particularly known for his loyalty towards Shahaji. He was also a "Subhedar" (Military and Administrative head)of Kondana Fort (now known as Sinhagad
Sinhagad
Sinhagad, Sinhgarh, or Sinhgad , is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of the city of Pune, India. Previously called Kondhana , the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the battle of Sinhagad in 1670...
), and thus the Pune
Pune District
Pune District is situated in Maharashtra state of India. Pune city is the district headquarters. In the last census on 2001, the total population of the district was 7,232,555, making it the fourth most populous district in India . Urban population comprises 58.08% of the total population...
region.
Early days
Dadoji Kondev gochivade was from a MarathiMarathi people
The Marathi people or Maharashtrians are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages...
Deshastha Brahmin
Deshastha Brahmin
Deshastha Brahmins are the original and the oldest Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and some districts of northern Karnataka. The word Deshastha comes from the Sanskrit words Desha and Stha which mean inland or country and resident respectively...
of the Kulkarni family from the Daund
Daund
Daund is a city and a municipal council in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, India. In ancient times a sage, 'Dhaumya Rishi' used to stay here, hence people started calling this place after him: 'Dhaum'. Gradually 'Dhaum' became 'Dhoand', then 'Dhaundh', and before it getting corrupted to...
area in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. He hailed from Malthan, in the present day Shirur Tahsil in the Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
District.
Early career under Shahaji
Dadoji Kondev was in the service of Shahaji Raje BhonsléShahaji
Shahaji Raje Bhosle was an early exponent of guerilla warfare. He was the eldest son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul . He brought the house of Bhosle into prominence. The princely states of Tanjore, Kolhapur and Satara are Bhosle legacies...
, a nobleman and a commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
in the Nizamshahi military of Ahmednagar. Shahaji proved himself as a brilliant commander. He was given independent land near the Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
region.
Soon Shahaji Raje Bhosale became a prominent war-lord of the region. Due to the constant warfare between the three major powers, Mughals
Mughal (tribe)
The term Mughal is simply a Turkic word and many groups in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh use the term Mughal to describe themselves...
(from north, based in Delhi and Agra), Adilshah (in south, based in Bijapur, current Karnataka State), and Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
, from east, Shahaji had to be constantly engage in diplomatic and political manouvres. He intended to have an independent kingdom, but couldn't defeat the combined might of the Mughal forces
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and Adilshah. Eventually, after the death of his father-in-law, Jadhavrao, he joined Adilshah and was sent to Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
as a commander of Adilshah's army. Shahaji Raje transferred his family, wife Jijaoo and son Shivaji, from fort Shivneri, near Junner, to Pune and appointed Dadoji as an ordinary officer of Shivaji.
In Jedhe Shakawali
Jedhe Shakawali written by Kanhoji JedheKanhoji Jedhe
Kanhoji Jedhe was a 17-century Marathi warrior, and a trusted follower of Shahaji, and of Shahaji's son Shivaji who founded the Maratha Empire in 1674. Kanhoji came from a village named Kari, in present day Bhor taluka, near Pune. He was respected among the Deshmukhs, noblemen in the area. Kanhoji...
and his son Baji Jedhe mentions about Dadoji Konddev as "He developed city Shivapur as per order by Shahajiraje in 1636 and Lal Mahal
Lal Mahal
The Lal Mahal of Pune is one of the most famous monuments located in Pune, India. In the year 1630 AD, Shivaji's Father Shahaji Bhonsle, established the Lal Mahal for his wife Jijabai and son. Shivaji stayed here for several years until he captured his first fort...
in Pune in next year.
Dadoji Konddev was an absolutely pious, completely honest and highly efficient estate manager of Pune Jahagiri, owened by Rajmata Jijau.RAJMATA Jijau was a daughter of Sinkhedkar royal family. She was a faithful ‘ Patiwrata’wife of Shahaji Raje Bhosle and a loving and dutiful mother of Shivaji raje.
Dadoji Kond dev was born at Janefal town,near Sindkhed-Raja ,in Buldana District. Many historians say that Dadoji was born in a Samvedi lad Brahman family. Janefal is the VERY FIRST town owned by Sindkhadkar Jadhov family. Other towns like Deuljaon-Raja, Kingaon-Raja, Sindkhad-Raja, have been acquired by them by a pact with Moguls of Delhi; hence these towns have “Raja” adjective added to them. After Jadov family left Janefal and started living in Sindkhad-Raja, Dadoji woked as their estate manager in Janefal and got a reputation as an honest, efficient estate manager. Subsequently, because of the prevalent political situation, Rajmata Jidau had to reside in Pune Jahagiri, Sindkhedkar Jadaov selected and appointed Dadoji Kondav as an estate manager of this Jahagiri. Dadoji managed this estate with utmost honesty and efficiency. Because of stability and prosperity, brought out by Dadoji’s management, in this estate, Shivaji Maharaj could lay the foundation of an independent maratha kingdom. Dadoji might or might not be considered as Shivaji Maharaj’s guru (teacher), but he was certainly a very important and absolutely pious person of Shivaji period.
External links
- A Note on the 'Twelve Mavals' of Poona District - Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 12, No. 3 (1978), pp. 393–417