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
Dadoji Kondadeo was born in the Daund area of present-day Maharashtra and spent time at Malthan, in the present-day Shirur Tahsil of Pune District. He gradually rose high in Adilshahi service and became the chief civil administrator on behalf of Adilshah at the Kondana fort before managing Shahaji’s jagir.
Dadoji and the Poona jagir
Shahaji appointed Kondadeo as administrator of the Poona jagir 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, 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.
As the caretaker of Shivaji
Shahaji moved Shivaji from Shivneri to Pune. According to some source, it was here that his development was entrusted to Konddeo at the request of his mother, Jijabai.
Modern Controversies
- In 2008, Government of Maharashtra renamed the Dadoji Konddeo award as the Best Sports Coach award after Maratha groups protested against highlighting the Brahmin tutor’s influence.
- In 2010, Nationalist Congress Party-controlled Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) decision to remove the statue of Konddeo at Lal Mahal palace was claimed to be consistent with the party’s policy to encourage demands of hardline Maratha groups. It is claimed that such a stance had helped the NCP maintain its dominance among the Maratha youth in Pune and rural Maharashtra. The status was removed because of the protests of the Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha group claiming that the statue of Konddeo as the teacher of Shivaji was introduced by Brahmin historians.
Legacy
- Dadaji Kondadev Stadium, a stadium in Thane region of Mumbai in Maharashtra is named after Dadoji Konddev.
- Dadoji Konddeo award, an award given to prominent personalities who teaches, guides young generation in various fields (but renamed it as the “Best Sports Coach award” after Maratha groups protests in 2008).
- Dadoji Konddeo Marg, a road way in Mumbai Maharashtra was named after Dadoji Konddev.