A.R. Desai's 'Dialectical Perspective' offers a Marxist-inspired framework for understanding Indian society, fundamentally differing from functionalist or Indological approaches. Its significant features are rooted in historical materialism and class analysis.

Firstly, Desai emphasized historical materialism, asserting that the economic base and class relations are the primary determinants of social structure and change in India, rather than caste or religion. He viewed society as a dynamic entity shaped by internal contradictions and conflicts arising from its material conditions.

Secondly, his perspective is characterized by class analysis. Desai argued that Indian society, particularly under colonialism and capitalism, is marked by class struggle and exploitation. He meticulously analyzed how different classes (e.g., landlords, peasants, industrial bourgeoisie, working class) emerged and interacted, shaping political and economic outcomes.

Thirdly, Desai offered a critique of colonialism, viewing British rule not as a modernizing or benevolent force, but as a system that systematically exploited India's resources and labor, leading to underdevelopment and the creation of new, exploitative class structures. He highlighted how colonial policies integrated India into the global capitalist system in a subordinate position.

Fourthly, he saw the state as an instrument of class rule, serving the interests of the dominant economic classes rather than being a neutral arbiter. This applied to both the colonial state and, to some extent, the post-independence Indian state.

Finally, Desai's approach involved a rejection of mainstream sociological paradigms like Indology (which focused on textual traditions and cultural uniqueness) and functionalism (which emphasized social harmony and equilibrium). He argued that these perspectives often obscured the underlying conflicts, power dynamics, and exploitative relations inherent in Indian society. Instead, he focused on the processes of social change, conflict, and the political economy of development.

In essence, Desai's dialectical perspective provided a powerful alternative lens, compelling sociologists to examine the structural inequalities, economic forces, and political struggles that have shaped and continue to shape Indian society.