Dadoji Kondadeo (also spelled as Dadoji Konddev) was an administrator of the Pune jagir and the nearby Kondana fort. He was appointed by Shahaji, a noble and general of the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur.

Biography

Early life

Kondadeo was born in a Brahmin family near Sindkhed Raja, Buldhana District and spent time at Malthan, in the present-day Shirur taluka of Pune District. He gradually rose high in Adilshahi service and became the chief civil administrator on behalf of Adilshah at Kondana fort before managing Shahaji's jagir.

Dadoji and the Pune jagir

After Shahaji joined the service of Adilshahi in 1637, his family's Pune jagir (fief) was restored to him by the sultan. Since Shahaji was to be deployed in Bangalore by Adilshah, Shahaji appointed Kondadeo as administrator of the Pune jagir. As the administrator, Konddeo established complete control over the Maval region, winning over or subduing most of the local Maval Deshpandes (chiefs). He also rebuilt the settlement of Pune, including the construction of the Lal Mahal palace, and encouraged the return of prominent families who had left during its destruction by another Adilshahi general, Murar Jaggdeo, in 1631. Shahaji also selected Pune for the residence of his wife, Jijabai and young son, Shivaji, the future founder of the Maratha empire. According to some sources, it was here that young Shivaji's development was entrusted to Konddeo at the request of his mother, Jijabai.

Modern Controversies

Legacy