Intro
In 1830-1840, Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner was born in Budapest, Hungary (See the Buffalo Courier Express of Sat, Mar 25, 1899 ·Page 1) in a Jewish household. At the time of his death, many of the newspapers said 1830 as the year of birth, however, his son alleges it to be 1840, as does the Philadelphia Inquirer of Sat, Nov 03, 1888 ·Page 2.
In 1855, Dr. G.W. Leitner began working as an interpreter for the British Government Commiserate in Turkey during the war with Russia and was given the rank of Colonel (the Illustrated London News of Sat, Nov 01, 1884 ·Page 22).
In 1859 (Nov-19), via The Rochdale Observer of Sat, Nov 19, 1859 ·Page 3, G.W. Leitner (Esq.) who was previously in the British military and worked as a F.E.S. interpreter to the Osmani Irregular Cavalry during the late Russian War (aka Crimean war) gave a speech. The re-establishment of a Holy Land for Jews is also discussed. Turkish Mohammadanism joined up with English Protestantism (See also The Rochdale Observer of Sat, Nov 12, 1859 ·Page 1)(See also The Leeds Mercury of Sat, Nov 12, 1859 ·Page 7).
In 1861 (Sep-5), via the Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald of Thu, Sep 05, 1861 ·Page 1, G.W. Leitner is listed as a teacher of modern languages, Esq. and lecturer at King’s College in London. G.W. Leitner is a teacher at Hale’s grammar school, which will open to the public soon )(See the Hertfordshire Mercury of Sat, Jul 13, 1861 ·Page 2). G.W. Leitner is listed as a Professor of Arabic (See The Times of Thu, Sep 26, 1861 ·Page 16) and his course starts on Oct-3.
In 1861 (Dec-21), via the Hertfordshire Mercury of Sat, Dec 21, 1861 ·Page 3, details of the life of G.W. Leitner are given. He joined British service when he was 17-18 years old. G.W. Leitner seems to have been a teacher at a school in Bath and taught languages like German.
In 1862 (Jul-5), G.W. Leitner is referred to as a lawyer (Esq.) and a Professor, he was at Hale’s Grammar School (See the Hertfordshire Mercury of Sat, Jul 05, 1862 ·Page 3). G.W. Leitner is a Professor at King’s College and offers a course which will prepare someone to pass the Indian Civil Service Examination, the lecture is entitled “Arabic and Mahomedan Law” (See Daily News of Wed, Sep 10, 1862 ·Page 1 and the Daily News Mon, Oct 06, 1862 ·Page 1). G.W. Leitner also teaches language at Hertford Grammar School (See Hertfordshire Mercury of Sat, Jan 18, 1862 ·Page 1 and Hertfordshire Mercury of Sat, Jan 25, 1862 ·Page 1).
In 1863 (Aug-12), the Times of Wed, Aug 12, 1863 ·Page 5 tells the world that G.W. Leitner Esq. Ph.D, is giving a lecture at King’s College which will prepare someone to pass the Indian Civil Service Examination, the lecture is entitled “Arabic and Mahomedan Law” (See also The Times of Wed, Aug 19, 1863 ·Page 21)(See also the Daily News of Wed, Sep 30, 1863 ·Page 1)(See also Daily News of Wed, Aug 05, 1863 ·Page 1)(See also The Times of Wed, Sep 16, 1863 ·Page 15)(See also The Times of Sat, Jan 17, 1863 ·Page 21)(See also The Times of Thu, Jan 08, 1863 ·Page 21)(See also The Times of Thu, Jan 15, 1863 ·Page 21).
In 1864 (Apr-19), the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent of Tue, Apr 19, 1864 ·Page 7 tells us that Dr. G.W. Leitner is a Professor of Arabic at King’s College (See Greenock Telegraph of Thu, May 12, 1864 ·Page 2, The Times of Fri, May 27, 1864 ·Page 29, See also the Birmingham Gazette of Mon, Apr 18, 1864 ·Page 6)(See also The Times of Sat, Apr 23, 1864 ·Page 28)(See also the Western Daily Press of Mon, Apr 18, 1864 ·Page 3).
In the 1860’s, he was working as an agent of the British in British-India. In 1864, he was asked to become Principal of Government College at Lahore (now Pakistan) and soon succeeded in raising its status to the University of the Punjab. He founded many schools, literary associations, public libraries and academic journals, while at the same time dedicating himself to the study of the cultures of the Indian subcontinent. During this period he wrote a scholarly and comprehensive book in Urdu, History of Islam, in two volumes, with the help of an Urdu Muslim scholar, Maulvi Karim-ud-Din, who was at that time District Inspector of Schools, Amritsar, Punjab. These two volumes were later published in 1871 and 1876.
In 1865 (May-10), via the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser of Wed, May 10, 1865 ·Page 3, it is reported that Dr. Leitner, who is currently working as the Principal at Lahore College is planning to take an intelligence gathering trip to Central Asia, which seems to be to Khokund, Turkistan.
In 1869, his only son was born, Henry Leitner, in Lahore, British-India.
In 1875, he was at the Universal Exposition of Vienna. It was said that he knew 25 languages (See Buffalo Courier Express of Sat, Mar 25, 1899 ·Page 1).
In 1883 (March), Dr. Leitner was back in England stayed for 18 months, until Sep-1884 (See the Standard of Sat, Jun 21, 1884 ·Page 5).
In 1884 (Mar-2), the Los Angeles Herald of Sun, Mar 02, 1884 ·Page 1 reported that Dr. Leitner has learned the secrets of making shawls in Kashmir. Dr. Leitner alleges to have learned the secret of the weavers in 1872 (See also Passaic Daily News of Mon, Feb 25, 1884 ·Page 4)(See also Daily Somerset County Gazette of Sat, Jan 19, 1884 ·Page 1).
In 1884 (Mar-26), via The Gazette of Montreal of Wed, Mar 26, 1884 ·Page 2, Dr. Leitner described the Magaddi Vagrants of India who are a group of Shias.
In 1884 (Apr-9), via the Western Daily Press of Wed, Apr 09, 1884 ·Page 8, it is announced that Dr. Leitner the Principal of the Lahore Government College has completed the purchase of the Royal Dramatic College at Maybury for the purposes of an “Oriental University”, museum and free guest house (See also The Times of Tue, Apr 08, 1884 ·Page 8).
In 1884 (May-15), via the Standard of Thu, May 15, 1884 ·Page 6, it is reported that Dr. Leitner had given a lecture before the “Society of Arts on Indigenous Education in the Punjab”. Dr. Leitner said that the British education wasn’t working properly in British-India.
In 1884 (May-31), via the Star of Guernsey on Sat, May 31, 1884 ·Page 4, it is reported on the idea of self government in India. A meeting was held at Westminster Town Hall with Sir Richard Temple presiding. Dr. Leitner argued that via western education, Indian’s could self govern, while under the protection of the British.
In 1884 (June-21), the Standard of Sat, Jun 21, 1884 ·Page 5 reported that Dr. Leitner was commissioned in 1868 (16 years prior) to create a space wherein Indian subjects could be thoroughly brainwashed to be loyal servants of the Queen. This was supported and commissioned via Sir Henry Maine. Lepel Griffin was heavily involved too. On Sep-1-1884, Dr. Leitner is scheduled to go to India again. He had been in England for 18 months.
In 1884 (Oct-27), via the Times of Mon, Oct 27, 1884 ·Page 6, a farewell dinner was arranged for Dr. Leitner at the Langham Hotel as he began to leave for India. Sir Lepel Griffin was there too.
In 1884 (Nov-1), the Illustrated London News of Sat, Nov 01, 1884 ·Page 22 wrote extensively about the work of Dr. Leitner. The newspaper alleges that Dr. G.W. Leitner (Principal of the Government College at Lahore and Registrar of the Punjab University) has opened an “Oriental Institute” in the Woking. This was created for students from India who come to England for education. It is 10 acres of total space. 1/2 mile from the Woking train station. It is alleged that Dr. G.W. Leitner opened this at his own cost. This is also a place wherein Indians can pay homage to the Queen of England. This “Institute” is designed to help English military men understand their Indian subjects better. It is alleged that Dr. G.W. Leitner spent 20 years in the Punjab. Max Muller is mentioned. Lepel Griffin is mentioned as a supporter. It is alleged that Dr. G.W. Leitner founded the Punjab University. Dr. G.W. Leitner is an Austrian. In 1855, Dr. G.W. Leitner began working as an interpreter for the British Government Commiserate in Turkey during the war with Russia and was given the rank of Colonel. The newspaper alleges that Dr. G.W. Leitner is about to return to India (See also the Hertfordshire Mercury of Sat, Nov 01, 1884 ·Page 4).
In 1885 (Mar-21), via The Courier and Argus of Sat, Mar 21, 1885 ·Page 6, it is reported that Dr. Leitner has rare Greco-Buddhistic art in his possession.
In 1885 (Jun-12), via The Sydney Morning Herald of Fri, Jun 12, 1885 ·Page 9, it is reported that Dr. Leitner is in Rawalpindi (modern day Pakistan) and was holding an event called the “Rawalpindi Assemblage”, Dr. Leitner is also working as the President of the well known “Anjuman-i-Punjab Association of Native Societies. Dr. Leitner presented the Viceroy with various Urdu and Persian versions of a national anthem.
In 1885 (Jun-13), via The Surrey Advertiser, County Times of Sat, Jun 13, 1885 ·Page 5, it is reported that some money had been collected to build a new church in Woking, the Church Missionary Society was also involved. Dr. Leitner was also involved.
In 1885 (Jun-20), the Observer of Sat, Jun 20, 1885 ·Page 34 reported on an Indian museum that Dr. Leitner is involved in. There seems to have been a fire at the museum (see The Graphic: An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper of Sat, Jun 20, 1885 ·Page 6).
In 1885 (Aug-22), the Times of Sat, Aug 22, 1885 ·Page 8 reported that Dr. Leitner was had done research on Dardistan roughly 20 years ago (1865).
In 1886 (May-9), some French person was in Lahore, British India and bumped into Dr. Leitner and wrote about it (See The Times-Democrat of Sun, May 09, 1886 ·Page 12).
In 1886 (Sep-29), via The Standard of Wed, Sep 29, 1886 ·Page 7, a newspaper called “The Asiatic Quarterly Review for Oct-1886 gives its content. A book by “Jihad” by Dr. Leitner is given (See also The Pall Mall Gazette of Tue, Sep 28, 1886 ·Page 14).
In 1886 (Oct-6), via The Times of Wed, Oct 06, 1886 ·Page 4, it is reported that Dr. Leitner donated some of his photo’s.
In 1886 (Oct-11), via The Times of Mon, Oct 11, 1886 ·Page 12, it is reported that via The Asiatic Quarterly Review for Oct-1886, Dr. Leitner has an article therein. An article by W.W. Hunter is also therein on “The Hindu child widow” (See also The Times of Fri, Oct 08, 1886 ·Page 12).
In 1886 (Oct-27), the Herald (Glasgow ed.) of Wed, Oct 27, 1886 ·Page 10 reported on an article by Dr. Leitner in The Asiatic Quarterly entitled, “The Mohammadan Jihad”. W.W. Hunter also had an article.
In 1886 (Dec-24), via The Welshman of Fri, Dec 24, 1886 ·Page 7, Russian travelers in India are discussed, one of which met a servant of Dr. Leitner. The great game between Russia and the British is mentioned.
In 1887 (Jul-30), it is reported that Dr. Leitner has recently returned to England from British India. The foundations were laid for the upcoming Shah Jehan Mosque, which will be built in Woking (See the Surrey Times and County Express of Sat, Jul 30, 1887 ·Page 8)(See also The Times of Mon, Jul 25, 1887 ·Page 6).
In 1887 (Sep-17), via The Surrey Advertiser, County Times of Sat, Sep 17, 1887 ·Page 3, it is reported that the “Oriental Institute” is almost completely built.
In 1888 (Nov-2), via the Philadelphia Inquirer of Sat, Nov 03, 1888 ·Page 2, it is reported that “The Oriental Institute” is about to open. This was a college made by Dr. Leitner to brainwash Indians into being loyal subjects of the British Empire. The institute started in 1884.
In 1889 (Aug-16), via The Pall Mall Gazette of Fri, Aug 16, 1889 ·Page 5, in the parish of Woking, close by the Oriental Institute, there has just been erected a Mohammedan mosque (See also The Beloit Daily Free Press of Fri, Aug 16, 1889 ·Page 3)(See also Mosby’s Missouri Message
of Thu, Oct 10, 1889 ·Page 4)(See also The Birmingham Post of Fri, Aug 16, 1889 ·Page 8)(See also The Daily Journal of Sat, Aug 17, 1889 ·Page 3)(100’s of newspapers reported on this).
In 1889 (Nov-9), the Illustrated London News of Sat, Nov 09, 1889 ·Page 10 showed a picture/drawing of the Woking Mosque. Dr. Leitner is mentioned extensively as well as his work in toleration and teaching of eastern culture. This mosque can be seen from the railway line and while trains approach, in fact, if travelling by train from London via the South-Western railway, while passing Maybury and just before the Woking junction. In fact, a series of buildings are visible and all were built by Dr. Leitner. They are, “The Oriental Nobility Institute” (which was previously called the “Royal Dramatic College”), the “Leitner Museum of Comparative Ethnography, Literature and Sculpture”, an “Oriental Model House” with the obligatory Eastern well.
In 1890 (Sep-27), the Illustrated London News of Sat, Sep 27, 1890 ·Page 18 reported on the Hunza people of the Pamir. It is reported that the ruler of Kandshut has came under the protection of the British Government. The Russians and British seem to be playing their “Great Game”. Dr. G.W. Leitner sent in a photo too that was posted in the newspaper. Dr. G.W. Leitner was allegedly there in 1872 and 1886. The ethnic research was allegedly published in 1889 on April 9th and in “The Times”.
In 1891 (Apr), the Liverpool Daily Post of Mon, Apr 20, 1891 ·Page 7, reported about the First Moslem Marriage in England. The pseudo-Muslims in Liverpool represent the center of Islam in England. The mosque at Woking is also mentioned and described as simply lodging for college students. Mr. W.H. Quilliam, a well known lawyer is the leader and there seem to be 50 members. All white converts. Maulvi Mohammed Barkatullah was there too. The minister of Education for Armenia was there too, a man named Mohammed Ubeid Ullah. The Ottoman consul general was there too, a man named Mr. D. Mavrogordato. The marriage ceremony was read by Mr. Rafiuddin Ahmad.
In 1893 (Apr-20), The Pall Mall Gazette of Thu, Apr 20, 1893 ·Page 6 reported that the Id-ul-Fitr festivals was conducted at the Woking Mosque, Hafiz Mehmed Effendi, Imam of the Ottoman Embassy led the prayers.
In 1893 (Nov-24), a Muslim named Mohamed Abdul Ghani (President Anjumn-i-Islam, London and Syed Shirfuddu Ahmad (President of the Akhwun-us-Sofa) wrote a letter to the Editor of the Pall Mall Gazette and told them how Dr. Leitner was rude and arrogant. A Muslim had died and these Muslims wished to use the Woking Mosque for funeral services. However, Dr. Leitner flatly refused to allow the use of the Woking Mosque. These same Muslims said that this wasn’t the first time that he had been treated as such (See the Pall Mall Gazette, 27 November 1893, p. 3 and Via Gilham, “Loyal Enemies”, 2014).
In 1893 (Nov-30), in response to letters of exposure for being arrogant and rude, G.W. Leitner (aka Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner). Leitner tried to argue that the Mosque was available for use if people ask for permission and then he might think about it (See the Pall Mall Gazette of Thu, Nov 30, 1893 ·Page 11). Leitner also said that the allegations of 10k British pounds from a “ruling-princess” (aka Nawab Shah Jahan Begum of Bhopal) were inaccurate. Leitner swore on oath that he had bore half of the cost of the Woking Mosque. Leitner alleged that there was only one additional donor who paid the other half (who is this?). Leitner emphatically declared that there was no cemetery, nor was there rooms for funeral rites. Thus, the allegations were unfounded. Leitner alleges that he recommended that these Muslims use the “Woking Cemetery Company” and an area for Muslims had been made.
“”to Mahommedans generally in this country, in order to enable them to practise their own religion as established, not to convert Englishmen to Islam, or to introduce new doctrines into that faith, or to promote any political or religious propaganda, or to celebrate the generally unhappy marriages between Mahommedans and Englishwomen […]. The mosque is a proof of British toleration, especially to our Mohammedan fellow-subjects, and, as such, must be used in that grateful and reverential spirit which is characteristic of Orthodox Mahommedans of good birth……………..””.
In 1898, he fell ill, and in January 1899, on medical advice, he travelled to Bonn to bathe in a spa at Godesberg. He contracted pneumonia during a cold spell in February, and on 22 March 1899, he died in Bonn at the age of 58. His body was returned to England and was buried on 6 April, 1899 in the Cyprian Avenue of the Brookwood Cemetery (See the Buffalo Courier Express of Sat, Mar 25, 1899 ·Page 1).
In 1912 (Nov), Khawaja Kamaluddin said that when he opened the locked-up House of God in November 1912 he found the floor chock-full of straw and other rubbish, the accumulations of the many years during which its doors had remained closed. Then he perceived an old copy of the Quran placed on a carved wooden receptacle — Rihal — lying in a corner, and opening the Holy Book at random he found the following words that met his eyes in the first line of the page: “Most surely the first house appointed for men is the one at Bekka, blessed and a guidance for the nations” (Holy Quran, 3:95). The word Bekka, the alternative name of Mecca in ancient times, literally means a place where people gather together in multitudes. It seemed to him a prophetic name, and so it has prove (See The Islamic Review, July 1930, pages 242–244).
