ABSTRACT
In the second and third chapters the reasons why the state in India, during the pre-British and British periods, remained independent of class control are discussed. It was the result of a unique development of productive forces determined by geography, that in turn conditioned the development of the relations of production. The hegemony of the state, vis-à-vis the social classes, was at the root of the weakness of Indian polity. Unlike the West, the Indian bourgeoisie could not depend on the state to advance its own interests. In fact the state and major social classes – revenue and money interests – were antagonists. This was the reason why the rising Indian bourgeoisie, in spite of its immense economic power, was defeated by the British bourgeoisie which was backed by its own state.
