Mind-Benders of Hindu History
A Bombay shopkeeper whose book was read around the world
Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897–1981) ran a small shop in Bombay selling hand-rolled cigarettes (beedis). A record of his talks, published in English in 1973 as I Am That, was translated into many languages and read internationally.
How we know
Nisargadatta Maharaj: b. 17 April 1897, d. 8 September 1981, Bombay; ran a beedi shop; I Am That first published in English 1973 (Maurice Frydman's translation of Marathi recordings). Verified via Wikipedia.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.