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Dadaji, established complete mastery over the Mavals. The local chiefs (deshpandes) were mostly won over. Those who defied his authority were defeated* and crushed. Thus peace and prosperity were established in that region and it became a source of wealth and strength to the owner of Puna, instead of being an unprofitable and even dangerous possession. (Sabh. 7; Chit. 26.) From this region Shivaji drew his best soldiers, his earliest comrades, and his most devoted followers. Yesaji Kank and Baji Pasalkar were Mavle chieftains of his own age; they gathered round him very early and were enrolled as his first captains. So, also, was Tanaji Malusare, a young deshmukh of Konkan. (Chit. 32.)

In their company young Shivaji wandered over the hills and forests of the Sahyadri range, and along the mazes of the river valleys, thus hardening himself to a life of privation and strenuous exertion, as well