Akshay Ramanlal Desai was a prominent Marxist sociologist who offered a critical perspective on the study of Indian society, particularly focusing on the interplay of colonialism, nationalism, and class structures. Unlike many of his contemporaries who adopted a functionalist or Indological approach, Desai employed a historical-materialist framework to analyze social change and development in India.

Desai's seminal work, 'Social Background of Indian Nationalism' (1948), is a classic example of his approach. In this work, he argued that Indian nationalism was not a monolithic, spontaneous movement but rather a complex phenomenon shaped by the material conditions created by British colonialism. He contended that the British introduced new economic and administrative structures that led to the emergence of new social classes – the bourgeoisie, the industrial working class, the peasantry, and the modern intelligentsia. These classes, with their distinct interests, played varying roles in the nationalist movement.

He critically examined the role of the Indian bourgeoisie, arguing that while they participated in the nationalist struggle, their ultimate goal was to secure their own economic and political interests within a capitalist framework. Desai also highlighted the exploitative nature of British rule, which systematically underdeveloped India's economy and integrated it into the global capitalist system as a raw material supplier and market for British goods. This process, he argued, led to the pauperization of the peasantry and the rise of a landless proletariat.

Furthermore, Desai was critical of the state's role in post-independence India, viewing it as an instrument of the dominant classes. He emphasized that despite political independence, the underlying class contradictions and economic inequalities persisted, often exacerbated by state policies that favored capitalist development. He also analyzed the agrarian structure, industrial relations, and the role of religion and caste through a class lens, arguing that these social institutions were often manipulated to maintain existing power hierarchies.

In essence, A. R. Desai's perspective is characterized by its emphasis on:

1. Historical Materialism: Analyzing Indian society through the lens of historical development and economic structures.
2. Class Analysis: Identifying and examining the role of different social classes in shaping social and political processes.
3. Critique of Colonialism: Exposing the exploitative and transformative impact of British rule on Indian society.
4. Critique of the State: Viewing the state as an instrument of class power, both during colonial and post-colonial periods.
5. Interconnectedness of Social Phenomena: Understanding how economic, political, and social institutions are intertwined and influence each other.

His work remains highly influential for its rigorous application of Marxist theory to the study of Indian society, providing a powerful counter-narrative to mainstream sociological interpretations.