Written by Petrit

The following article discusses the hypothesis that Nikola Tesla may have had Albanian origin. The information is partly gathered from the book “John J. O’Neill, Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla, Book Three, 2007 – The Infinite Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla).

Telsa was born in 1856 in the village of Smiljan in Croatia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) and died in New York, USA in 1943.”

Historian Fahri Xharras opinion:

“According to this article in the newspaper, the picture (phot) is part of the old collections preserved by Slobodan Nikolic in Kruševac, who admits that he received that picture from a cousin of Nikola Tesla. The picture is from 1880, that is, 4 years before Nikola Tesla emigrated to the USA.”

Sanxhak origin

Nikola Tesla’s family came from Sanxhak, an area that was then part of Bosnia in the Ottoman Empire and was inhabited by Albanians. His father, originally illiterate, later became an Orthodox priest and bore the name Milutin. Tesla’s mother bore the name Gjuka, which is considered Albanian.(https://www.ocnal.com/…/nikola-tesla-albanian-origin.html).

Albanian traditions?

Tesla’s family maintained Albanian traditions, including traditional Albanian costume. Pictures show Tesla in Albanian costume typical of northern Albania or Dardania. He wore these costumes before moving to Prague in 1880 and later to Budapest, Paris and New York. Though some claim that this is not in fact Nikola Tesla in the photo.

Was Tesla from an Orthodox Albanian family from Galicia of Sanxhak?

“And the view that proves the Albanian origin and the village of Nikola Tesla’s parents. This picture shows Orthodox Christian Albanians from Galicia, the former Sandzak, which after 1912 became part of Malzi (Malsi). The postcard is from 1907 and sent from Thessaloniki. Therefore, a picture is worth a million years and a million words.”

https://www.drini.us/shkencetari-shqiptar-nikolla-tesla-nderi-i-kombit-shqiptar/

What does Tesla mean in Serbian?

Usually, Slavic Serb families have names ending in “vic” or “ic”. Tesla is an unusual name for a Serbian family.

Language and culture

In the region where Tesla grew up, the Albanian language and school were banned in the 19th century. Therefore, Tesla spoke Serbian and German, which were taught in public schools. The preservation of Albanian folklore and clothing in his family is seen as a sign of their Albanian origin.

Historical relocation

Due to the Serbian expulsions of Albanians in the mid-19th century, Tesla’s family relocated to Smiljan, a village in present-day Croatia, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This relocation may have contributed to Tesla being perceived as a Serb, even though his roots lay elsewhere.

The tribe of Kusi/Kuci, for example, was divided into three branches, Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox, and into two languages ​​(Albanian and Slavic), but their members kept the memory of a common ancestry. For more see: Bernd J. Fischer, Oliver Jens Schmitt (2022) A Concise History of Albania, Cambridge University Press;

The debate over Nikola Tesla’s ethnic origins is complex, with claims made by various nations, including Montenegrins, Croats, and Greeks.

Montenegrin claims

Some Montenegrins, such as author Miroslav Ćosović, claim that Tesla identified as a Montenegrin. He was portrayed as a Montenegrin scientist in late 19th-century American newspapers. Tesla had close ties to Montenegro and financially supported Montenegrin immigrants in the United States. In 1895, he received the Montenegrin Order of “Danilo’s Cross” from Prince Nikola Petrovic Njegos.

https://www.total-montenegro-news.com/…/1429-tesla…

http://www.njegos.org/emigrants/teslaeng.htm.

Croatian claims

Croatia views Tesla as one of its most significant sons and has promoted his legacy heavily in recent years. Tesla was born in what is now Croatia, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Croatia has opened a Nikola Tesla Museum in his birthplace of Smiljan and plans to further develop his legacy. Croatian sources often emphasize Tesla’s quote that he was equally proud of his Serbian heritage and his Croatian homeland.

https://teslauniverse.com/…/after-years-neglect-nikola…

https://total-croatia-news.com/lif…/nikola-tesla-heritage/

https://total-croatia-news.com/news/politics/tesla-row/.

Greek Claims

Some Greek sources claim that Tesla was of Greek descent. It is mentioned that Tesla was born in Herzegovina and came from one of the oldest Greek families. His original family name is said to have been “Draganic” and his father was supposedly a Greek cleric

https://www.nemeapress.gr/…/nikola-tesla-nai-kai-omos…/

In summary, Nikola Tesla’s identity and legacy is a complex issue claimed by various nations, each making their own historical and cultural arguments.