Bernier’s description of imperial land ownership influenced Western theorists like French philosopher Montesquieu and German Karl Marx. This statement is explained below:

a. In the Mughal empire, the land was owned by the state which eventually led to the decline in agricultural production.

b. This was harmful to both the state and the people.

c. This description of Bernier influenced Western theorists.

Montesquieu

a. He developed the Original despotism theory based on Bernier’s idea.

b. The rulers in Asia exercised complete authority over their subjects.

c. The subjects were in subjugation and poverty.

d. All the land belonged to the king and there was no concept of private property.

e. Everybody except the king and the nobles did not manage to survive.

Karl Marx.

a. He developed the Asiatic mode of production based on Bernier’s idea in the 19th century.

b. He said that in India and other Asian countries, the surplus was appropriated by the state.

c. This led to the emergence of a society with a large number of egalitarian and autonomous village communities.

d. He said it was a stagnant system.