According to Chapter 5, who was Devidas and what was his role in Shirdi before the incident with the Fakir?

The source material in Chapter 5 provides specific details about Devidas. It states that he had arrived and settled in Shirdi twelve years before Sai Baba came with the wedding party. He was a very wise individual who was considered a Guru by prominent villagers like Tatyaba. Devidas was actively involved in teaching the community; for instance, he taught Appa Bhill using a slate and made him and others read and memorize the Venkatesh Stotra, conducting lessons regularly. His established position as a respected teacher and spiritual guide provides the context for the scriptural debate he held with the Fakir, which is a key event described in Chapter 5.