Why did Shivaji Maharaj decide to acquire the forts that were within his own jagir?
Answers
While Jija Bai built up the character of Sivaji by filling her son’s mind with the stores of the renowned heroes and warriors of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Dadaji Kondo Dev trained him in the art of fighting and administration. Like Akbar, Sivaji did not receive formal education, but he developed strong determination, courage, and firm faith towards his religion.
Rama Das, his spiritual preceptor and guide, instilled into him a deep love of Hindu religion and entrusted him with the duty of protesting the Hindu religion. At the age of twelve he had been entrusted with the management of the jagir at Poona. He married Saibai Nimbalkar in or about 1640. The influence of heredity, education, temperament and environment had great impact on him and encouraged him to choose a career of independence. Maval country became the main centre of his activities.
Answer:
As the administrator of Shahaji's jagir, Dadoji Konddeo established complete control over the Maval region. He won over most of the local Maval deshmukhs (chiefs), and subdued others. Shivaji drew his earliest trusted comrades and a large number of his soldiers from this region. Some of the early Mavlans associated with Shivaji were the chieftains Yesaji Kank and Baji Pasalkar, who were of his own age. Tanaji Malusare, a young deshmukh of Konkan, was another of his early associates.