law: Indian Contract Act, 1872 
  54. Effect of default as to the promise
  
  which should be performed, in contract consisting of reciprocal promises
  When a contract consists of reciprocal promises, such that one
  
  of them cannot be performed, or that its performance cannot be claimed till the
  
  other has been performed, and the promisor of the promise last mentioned fails
  
  to perform it, such promisor cannot claim the performance of the reciprocal
  
  promise, and must make compensation to the other party to the contract for any
  
  loss which such other party may sustain by the non-performance of the contract.
   Illustrations 
  (a) A hires B's ship to take in and convey, from Calcutta to
  
  Mauritius, a cargo to be provided by A, B receiving a certain freight for its
  
  conveyance. A does not provide any cargo for the ship. A cannot claim the
  
  performance of B's promise, and must take compensation to B for the loss which
  
  B sustains by the non performance of the contract.
  (b) A contracts with B to execute certain builder's work for a fixed
  
  price, B supplying the scaffolding and timber necessary for the work. B refuses
  
  to furnish any scaffolding or timber, and the work cannot be executed. A need
  
  not execute the work, and B is bound to make compensation to A for only loss
  
  caused to him by non-performance of the contract.
  (c) A contracts with B to deliver to him, at a specified
  
  price, certain merchandise on board a ship which cannot arrive for a month, and
  
  B engages to pay for the merchandise within a week from the date of contract. B
  
  does not pay within the week. A's promise to deliver need not be performed, and
  
  B must take compensation.
  (d) A promises B to sell him one hundred bales of merchandise,
  
  to be delivered next day and B promises A to pay for them within a month. A
  
  does not deliver according to promise. B's promises to pay need not be
  
  performed, and A must make compensation.