Dadoji Konddeo

Dadoji Konddeo was a 17th-century administrator or havildar for the Pune region and the nearby Kondana fort appointed by Shahaji raje Bhosale, a nobleman and general of the Bijapur based Adilshahi sultanate. He is known in history for overseeing the training of Young Shivaji, the future founder of the Maratha empire.

Shahaji appointed Dadoji as administrator of the Pune jaagir restored to him (Shahaji) after he joined the service of Adilshahi in 1637.Shahaji himself was based in Bangalore as the commander of Adilshah during this period.As the administrator, Dadoji established complete control over the Maval region, winning over or subduing most of the local Maval Deshpandes (chiefs). Dadaji also rebuilt the settlement of Pune and got back the prominent families who had left the town during the destruction by another Adilshahi general Murar Jaggdeo in 1631. Shahaji also selected Pune for the residence of his wife, Jijabai and son, Shivaji, the future founder of the Maratha empire. Dadoji also oversaw the construction of a palace in Pune, called Lal Mahal, for Jijabai and Shivaji. Dadoji is well known for overseeing young Shivaji's training.Per Jadunath Sarkar, young Shivaji and Dadoji did not always see eye to eye. Dadoji wanted Shivaji to aspire to be a loyal chieftain of the Adilshahi Sultan but Shivaji with daring efforts to capture forts in the Sahyadri mountains had other goals in mind.Dadoji, an old man at that time wrote to Shahaji about his son without any response from the father

Dadoji Kondev was in the service of Shahaji Raje Bhonslé, a nobleman and a commander in the Nizamshahi military of Ahmednagar. Shahaji proved himself as a brilliant commander was given a Jagir in area that roughly corresponds to present day Pune district.

During his career, Shahaji Raje Bhosale became a prominent warlord of the region and at different times served three powers. His last employer was the Adilshahi of Bijapur. As part of his service he was sent to Bangalore to defend Adilshah’s possesions in that region. At that time Shahaji appointed Dadoji as the Administrator or Subahdar of his Pune Jagir (Fiefdom) and also to take care of his wife Jijabai and infant son, Shivaji.

After Shahaji sent him to look after Jijabai and baby Shivaji, Dadoji Konddeo ran the administration of the small jaagir of Shahaji, while Shahji himself was in Bangalore as the commander of Adilshah. He established complete control over the Maval region, winning over or subduing most of the local Maval deshpandes (chiefs).He is also credited with overseeing Shivaji’s training.Jedhe Shakawali written by Kanhoji Jedhe 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 Konddeo was Shivaji's tutor and guardian. He was a 16th century martial arts expert from India who was an extremely loyal servant of his master Shahaji. Konddeo was also a Subehdar of Kondada fort. Dadaji Kondeo came from a Marathi Brahmin family and in his early life; he functioned as a nobleman and a commander in the Nizamshahi military of Ahmednagar. When Shahaji set up his own military base near the Pune region, he appointed Dadoji Konddeo as the instructor, who was particularly skilled in warfare and swordsmanship. Since Shahaji was constantly engaged in diplomatic maneuvers due to the constant warfare between the three forces, he sent Dadoji Konddeo along with council of ministers to look after his wife Jijabai and son Shivaji and to look after the jagir as well from1637 till his death 1649 at the age of 72. Thus Dadoji Konddeo looked after the administration of the small jagir of Shahaji, while Shahaji himself was in Bangalore as the commander of Adilshah. 

 Dadoji Konddeo is credited with the overall supervision of Shivaji's later education. By the time Konddeo was given the charge of Shivaji, the boy had already completed eight years of age. He was already tutored in Sanskrit Language and war tactics by his own father. Dadoji Konddeo took care of Maharaj's education from 1636 to 1646. From a young age the tutor was aware of the boy's fierce streak of independence. Shivaji had great respect for him. Repeatedly he told Dadoji Konddeo that he wanted to learn wisdom from him, but when Konddeo's way of thinking brought Shivaji back on the beaten track, the young man sidetracked the wisdom which was being drummed into him. Of the two, Shivaji was the more practical.

Dadaji Konddeo was concerned about Shivaji's decision to establish an independent kingdom. He advised him to follow the footsteps of his ancestors, who rose to the positions of power and wealth as vassals of the Deccan Sultanates. Shivaji's association with the hill brigands and his plans of capturing forts worried Dadaji a lot. He complained to Shahaji, but this didn't change Shivaji's plans. Dadaji Konddeo died in 1647, leaving Shivaji in control of the region at the age of 17.