Honor ( ijjat, ezzat, paxto ) refers to good character, doing what is appropriate and moral for one's gender, age, kin relations, caste, and religion. Honor often centers on the family, male authority, and community linkages. Both men and women construct notions of female honor. However, they are not always in agreement. A woman's honor may be subsumed into family obligations of reciprocity and hospitality or it may be particular to her gender.

Moore (1998a) describes a Muslim community in northeastern Rajasthan where the exercise of honor is fairly typical of rural …