Is the 'Maharaj' mentioned in the introduction the same person as Gajanan Maharaj?

No, the provided text does not support this conclusion. The figure called 'Maharaj' in the introduction is explicitly identified as the person who would later be known as Sai Baba. Chapter 0 explains that 'Maharaj' was a title used before Mhalasapati welcomed him as 'Sai Baba.' The narrative follows this one individual from his meeting with Chandbhai to his arrival in Shirdi and his naming. The text provides no information about Gajanan Maharaj, nor does it suggest any connection between him and the 'Maharaj' it describes.