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1647] and age, Dadaji Kond-dev died, early in 1647,* and Shivaji became his own master at the age of twenty.

The death of Dadaji Kond-dev found Shiva ready for his task. He had already been trained in martial exercises and civil administration; he had familiarised himself with the troops of his father's western jagir and the people he would have to govern. Initiative and power of command had been freely developed in him without check or interference from his guardian. Administrative orders had for some time before this been issued in his name, as his father's representative, while Dadaji Kond-dev had stood by watching his pupil. Shivaji had also taken part, with his mother or his tutor, in some judicial investigations and public decisions of legal disputes (mahzar.)†

The band of officers already gathered round him were men of tried ability and devotion to him. Shyamraj Nilkanth Ranjhekar (the correct form of the name is Rozekar, according to some modern Maratha scholars) was the Chancellor (peshwa); Balkrishna Dikshit was Accountant-General (majmuadar);