A.R. Desai was a prominent Indian sociologist who adopted a Marxist approach to analyze Indian society. His work is characterized by a critical perspective on the state, capitalism, and social change in India. One of the salient features of his Marxist sociology is his emphasis on the materialist conception of history, applying it to understand the evolution of Indian society, particularly the impact of colonialism and the rise of nationalism. He argued that the colonial state, far from being a benevolent modernizer, was an instrument of exploitation, transforming India's pre-capitalist economy into a colonial capitalist one. Desai critically examined the role of the state in post-independence India, viewing it as serving the interests of the dominant classes (bourgeoisie and rich peasantry) rather than the masses. He also highlighted the interplay of class and caste, asserting that while caste was a pre-existing social stratification, it was reconfigured and often reinforced by capitalist relations and state policies. His analysis of Indian nationalism was also Marxist, seeing it as a movement led by the nascent Indian bourgeoisie, which, while fighting for independence, ultimately aimed to establish its own class rule. Desai's work consistently focused on issues of social inequality, exploitation, and the potential for revolutionary change, making him a significant figure in critical Indian sociology.