Izzat (honour)

Izzat (Hindi: इज़्ज़त; Urdu: عزت; Bengali: ইজ্জত) is a concept of honour that is prevalent in North India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.^[1] It applies universally across religions, communities, and genders.^[2][3][4] Broadly speaking, izzat primarily refers to the reputation of oneself and one's family in the eyes of society. Maintaining this societal reputation by all necessary means is considered obligatory upon every man and woman, as is revenge or punishment upon those who have or are perceived as having directly or indirectly violated it.^[5]

The concept of izzat has been viewed as curtailing the freedom and rights 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, for example, that a person goes to any lengths to come to the assistance of those who had previously helped them in their time of need,^[5] and to fail to do so is to dishonour one's debt and thereby lose izzat.^[5]

Etymology

Izzat, derived from Arabic, has proto-semitic origins, with cognates found in Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, Akkadian and Ugaritic. The cognate עוז appears in the Book of Exodus (15:2), "The Lord is my strength ('oz) and my song", with honour tied to divine worship and ethics. Further cognates additionally appear in the early Christian period.

The word is widely used in Islamic literature, such as Qur'an 63:8, "But all honour (`izzah) belongs to Allah, His Messenger and the believers". As a result, variants of the word are commonly found as a male given name in Arabic and Turkish. Following the Muslim conquest of Persia, Arabic was absorbed into courtly and literary use. Through the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire, Persian spread to the Indian subcontinent, with izzat entering into use in Urdu, Hindi, Bengali and Punjabi.

In North India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, izzat is deeply embedded in daily language and social codes. In the comparatively mercantile south, with less influence of the Mughal Empire, the word is less common, with social codes tied to mercantile trust and religious patronage, rather than feudal prestige.

Izzat entered the English lexicon through British imperial exposure in India, in a similar manner to now common words such as pajamas, veranda, bungalow and loot. Themes of Izzat can be found in the words of writers such as Rudyard Kipling in exploring the social dynamics of honour, dignity and social standing.^[7]

Violations, enmity, and revenge

Violations or perceived violations of izzat are key to the development of both personal and family enmities (dushmani, दुश्मनी/دشمنی, দুশমনি) as the wronged party seeks revenge (badla, बदला/بدلہ, বদলা), which could result in cycles of counter-revenge, sometimes spanning generations.^{[8][9][10][11]} The concept of reciprocity applies to badla as well. The nature and intensity of the revenge, "and what is taken - life, resources, or position - is governed by izzat (honour), which is the principle of reciprocity or equivalence in all things."^[12] Because social relations in the region emphasize social debts and "unrestricted reciprocity" among kin, enmity can spread to individuals who were not involved in the original infractions of izzat and "rarely remains localized."^[12][13]

In Indian politics

Izzat has played a significant role in the political dynamics of India and continues to do so to the current day. Various state rulers in the pre-1947 princely states of British-ruled India resisted British involvement in their kingdoms, despite nominally acknowledging British sovereignty, because such "intervention constituted an attack on their izzat."^[14]

In post-independence India, the "politics of izzat" has been cited as a key reason for the rise of elected politicians from hitherto-backward communities, who have done little to economically benefit their communities but have created greater izzat for them by creating powerful political blocs.^[15] Politicians in power often frame populist policies in terms of izzat, such as with the 2009 Izzat Scheme launched by Indian Railways Minister, Mamata Banerjee, which provides a subsidy for poorer citizens to travel by train.^[16]

Military culture

The armed forces of India incorporate the concept of izzat as a powerful motivator. Several units of the military use the term in their mottos, such as the Indian Regiment of Artillery's "Sarvatra Izzat O Iqbal" (Everywhere with Honour and Glory).^[17]

See also

• Honour killing
• Namus
• Pashtunwali