Dadoji Kondev was a 16th century revenue expert from India, particularly known for his loyalty towards

Shahji. He was also a "Subhedar" (Administrative head) of Kondana Fort (now known as Sinhagad), and thus the Pune region. Dadoji Kondev Gochivade was from a Marathi 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. Dadoji Kondev was in the service of Shahaji Raje Bhonsl, 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 warlord 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.

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 Konddev was an absolutely pious, completely honest and efficient estate manager of Pune Jahagiri, owned by Rajmata Jijau. RAJMATA Jijau was a daughter of Sinkhedkar Royal family. She was a faithful 'Patiwrata' wife of Shahaji Raje Bhosale and loving and dutiful mother of Shivaji Raje. Dadoji Konddev was born in Janefal town, near Sinkhed-Raja, in Buldhana District. Many historians say that Dadoji was born in a Samvedi lad Brahmin family. Janefal is the VERY FIRST town owned by Sindkhedkar Jadhov family. Other towns like Deulgoan-Raja, Kingaon-Raja, Sindkhed-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 Sindkhed-raja, Dadoji worked as their estate manager in Janefal and got reputation as an honest, efficient estate manager. Subsequently, because of the prevalent political situation, Rajmata Jijau had to reside in Pune jahagiri, Sindkhedkar Jadov selected and appointed Dadoji Konddev 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. Jedhe Shakawali written by Kanhoji Jedhe and his son Baji Jedhe mentions about Dadoji Konddev as: Dadoji Konddev was an absolutely pious, completely honest and efficient estate manager of Pune Jahagiri, owned by Rajmata Jijau. RAJMATA Jijau was a daughter of Sinkhedkar Royal family. She

was a faithful 'Patiwrata' wife of Shahaji Raje Bhosale and loving and dutiful mother of Shivaji Raje. Dadoji Konddev was born in Janefal town, near Sinkhed-Raja, in Buldhana District. Many historians say that Dadoji was born in a Samvedi lad Brahmin family. Janefal is the VERY FIRST town owned by Sindkhedkar Jadhov family. Other towns like Deulgoan-Raja, Kingaon-Raja, Sindkhed-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 Sindkhed-raja, Dadoji worked as their estate manager in Janefal and got reputation as an honest, efficient estate manager. Subsequently, because of the prevalent political situation, Rajmata Jijau had to reside in Pune jahagiri, Sindkhedkar Jadov selected and appointed Dadoji Konddev 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.