Dada Kond Dev was the biggest asset Shahaji possessed. Shahaji could afford to live away from his state to serve the empires continuously leaving the Poona state and his family in the care of the trusted Dada Kond Dev. Dada Kond Dev popularly called ‘Dadoji’ was a serious person, a good planner and able manager. The natural leader of the men, he was. His honesty was a legend and his loyalty to Shahaji was sinceremost.
Poona was once a prosperous town situated in the lower area of Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats. Then, it became battle ground of power mad empires and now it was in shambles. There only were burnt down houses, heaps of rubble and stones. The inhabitants of Poona had fled to other safer towns.
Dadoji decided to rebuild the Poona township. May be, the idea was already approved by Shahaji when they were together at Bangalore. As per Jijabai’s wish, the first of all, the construction of the temple, of Lord Ganesha was taken up.
With Dadoji’s drive, inspiration, planning and managerial skills the town began to rise again like phoenix out of ashes. Within a few years Poona again became a town of crowds, busy bazaars, big buildings, palaces and gardens.
Dodoji took special interest in laying out a grand garden named ‘Shahabag’ as a tribute to his master Shahaji. And thereby hangs a tale.
One day, at lunch time Dadoji expressed his wish to eat some fruits as well. The servants went into Shahabag and plucked some fruits and served them to Dadoji. For taking a bite he picked up a fruit and looked at it. Then, he remembered something and asked the servant, “Where from did you bring these fruits?”
“From Shahabag, of course,” the servant replied matter of factly.
Dadoji exploded, “Why? Why did you bring it from Shahabag? It is stealing. Do you want me to eat stolen fruits?”
The servant was trembling. He could not understand what wrong he had exactly done. He stammered, “Forgive me, Dadoji. I didn’t know…I thought that Shahabag fruits are ours…”
“Fool! Shahabag belongs to Shahaji. I am merely his agent. I have no right over the fruits of that garden. Now get me a sword!”
“A…A sword?” The servant turned pale.
“Yes, a sword. Don’t worry I am not going to behead you.” Dadoji revealed, “I will cut of my hand that picked up the stolen fruit to eat.”
The servant was horrified. He ran to Jijabai and told her the entire story. Jijabai rushed to the scene and pleaded, “Dadoji! Please don’t say that the fruits of Shahabag don’t belong to you. Infact, whatever is here is the fruit of your love and labour. If you think otherwise it will hurt us. That will mean you are disowning us. Please don’t do that.”
But Dadoji would not relent. He was adamant at cutting of his offending hand. Then, some friends intervened and suggested that he cut off the right sleeve of his shirt as a symbolic gesture. To everyone’s relief Dadoji agreed to the suggestion. It is said that since then Dadoji wore shirts with one sleeve cut off all his life.
Thus, his honesty became a legend. Even the Moguls when unable to man any of their forts in Sahyadri region would leave it to the care of Dadoji. He infact, was caretaker of several Mogul forts and Bijapur forts on the side.
