The text refers to a 'Maharaj'. Was this a specific king or ruler who visited Shirdi?

The term 'Maharaj' as used in the source material does not refer to a king or political ruler. According to Chapter 0, 'Maharaj' was the title used for the holy man before he was given the name 'Sai Baba'. For example, the text describes how Chandbhai met 'Maharaj' sitting under a tree and how this 'Maharaj' helped him find his lost horse. This same person later accompanied Chandbhai's family to Shirdi, where he was greeted as 'Sai Baba'. The term is used as a respectful address for the saint, not to denote royalty.