How did the villagers of Shirdi initially perceive Sai Baba, and what specific event changed their opinion of him?

Initially, the villagers of Shirdi considered Maharaj, or Sai Baba, to be an ordinary or even a mad Fakir. As detailed in Chapter 0, his appearance contributed to this view; he wore torn clothes, sat in random places, and sometimes assumed a fierce form, which made him seem mad to the general public. However, their perception dramatically changed after a significant miracle. When local grocers refused to give him oil for the lamps he was fond of lighting, Maharaj used water instead. As Chapter 0 recounts, the lamps lit with water and burned all night. This astonishing event made the people realize his true worth, and they surrendered to him, apologizing for their prior insults and harassment.