Izzat (honour)
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Izzat (Hindi: इज़्ज़त; Urdu: عزت; Bengali: ইজ্জত) is the concept of honour prevalent in the culture of North India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.[1] It applies universally across religions (Hindu, Muslim and Sikh), communities and genders.[2][3][4] Maintaining the reputation of oneself and one's family is part of the concept of izzat, as is the obligatory taking of revenge when one's izzat has been violated.[5]
The concept of izzat has been viewed as curtailing the freedom of women, yet characterised on a general level as a concept that cuts across social hierarchy and enforces "equality in giving, but also equality in vengeance."[5][6] The idea of reciprocity, in both friendship and enmity, is deeply embedded in izzat. It is required that a person come to the assistance of those who have helped that person earlier.[5] To not do so is to dishonour one's debt and lose izzat.[5]