Mary Winchester (Zoluti)

Mary Winchester
Born	1865 Assam British India
Died	1955 (aged 90) London
Nationality	British
Other names	Zolûti (among Mizo people)
Citizenship	Great Britain
Alma mater	Royal Moray College
Known for	British occupation of Mizoram
Spouse(s)	Harry Innes Howie
Parent(s)	James Winchester

Mary Winchester, or Zolûti to Mizos, (1865-1955) was a Scottish girl who was captured and held hostage by the Mizo tribes of Mizoram, India, in 1871, and rescued by the British expedition in 1872. This historic event marked the beginning of British rule in Mizoram that lasted till the Indian Independence in 1947. Indirectly, it also paved the way for Christian missionaries to introduce Christianity among the Mizos.

Mary Winchester lived with her father at Cachar, Assam, India. She was an illegitimate child of James Winchester and his Meitei worker. Her father was a manager of the British tea plantation, and had been there for 12 years. When she turned six years of age in 1871, her father decided it was time for formal education in Britain. Her farewell party was arranged on 23 January at Alexandrapur plantation at the place owned by her father's close friend George Seller. While they were strolling in the garden, the workers were suddenly in commotion, and Seller was frantically galloping around on his horse. When she and a nurse headed towards the bungalow, her father met them on the way and ran her to a stable. But then the Mizo tribal warriors caught up and cut her father on the head and shot him down from behind. The warrior snatched her away from the dying clutch of her father, who murmured, "Dear, only God knows your fate." The invaders left him to die and carried the girl away. A number of people were killed in the clash, some were taken as hostages, including Mary Winchester. Probably all, except the girl whom they took special care, others were killed on their journey to Mizoram.

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