Baji Prabhu Deshpande Baji Prabhu Deshpande ( c . 1615 - 1660 ) was a Minister / Count ( also known as " Sardar " ) and commander for Shivaji , historical founder of the Maratha empire . The well celebrated legend of Baji Prabhu is intricately linked with an important rear guard battle enabling Shivaji ' s escape from Panhala fort ; he was the hero who sacrificed his life for his king and country . Early life . Baji Prabhu was 15 years elder to Shivaji Maharaj , this means he was born around 1615 . He was born in a Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu family . His original surname was Pradhan . He was honoured by Kulkarni Hakka as per available information from modi Scripts . He was born in Shind Village of Bhor Taluka in Pune District . Battle of Pavan Khind . After defeating Afzal Khan and the rout of the Bijapuri army at Pratapgad , Shivaji continued to push deep into Bijapuri territory . Within a few days , the Marathas captured Panhala ( near the city of Kolhapur ) . Meanwhile another Maratha force , led by Netaji Palkar , pushed straight on towards Bijapur . Bijapur repulsed this attack , forcing Shivaji and few of his " sardars " to retreat to Panhala Gad ( fort ) . The Bijapuri force was led by Siddhi Johar , an Abyssinian general . Discovering Shivaji ' s location , Johar laid siege to Panhala . Netaji Palkar made repeated attempts to break the Bijapuri siege from outside , but these failed . Finally a very audacious and high risk plan was hatched and put into action : Shivaji , Baji Prabhu Deshpande with a select band of troops would attempt to break through the siege at the night , and make for Vishalgadh . In order to deceive the Bijapuri forces , who would give a chase once they found that Shivaji had broken the siege , Shiva Nhavi , who had an uncanny physical resemblance to Shivaji , volunteered to dress like the king and let himself be captured . On a stormy full moon ' s night ( night of Guru Pournima , Ashadh Paurnima ) a band of 600 select men , led by Baji Prabhu and Shivaji , broke through the siege . They were hotly pursued by the Bijapuri force . As planned , Shiva Nhavi allowed himself to be captured and taken back to the Bijapuri camp , fully comprehending that he would be put to death once the charade was discovered . This sacrifice , however gave the fleeing Maratha force some breathing space . As soon as the Bijapuri force realized their mistake , the chase was on again , led by Siddhi Masood , the son - in - law of Siddhi Johar . Near the pass of Ghodkhind ( Horse ' s Pass ) , the Marathas made a final stand . Shivaji and half of the Maratha force pushed for Vishalgadh , while Bajiprabhu and the remaining " Bandal Sena " of about 300 men blocked the pass and fought with 4000 number of mughal soldiers in pavankhind . The ratio of battle was more than 1 : 100 and war becomes one of the biggest war of maratha empire . Tradition and legend describe feats of valour displayed by the Marathas during this rear guard action . Through the entire battle , Baji Prabhu , even though grievously injured , continued fighting , inspiring his men to fight on until Shivaji ' s safe journey to Vishalgadh was signaled by the firing of three cannon volleys . It should be mentioned that when Shivaji approached Vishalgad with 300 men , the fort was already under siege by another Mughal sardar named Surve . Shivaji with his 300 men had to defeat Surve to reach the fort . Accolades . The Ghodkhind pass was subsequently named " Pavan Khind " ( " Holy Pass " ) ( ) by Shivaji , in honor of the sacrifice of Baji Prabhu and his troops . Shivaji Maharaj honoured Baji Prabhu ' s family with " maanache pahile paan " ( " Honor of the Court " ) ( Marathi : मानाचे पहिले पान ) . A street is named after him in Thane and Ambarnath , India , and a film based his story was made in 1929 . A square is named after Baji Prabhu Deshpande in Dombivali city ( District Thane - Maharashtra ) .