Hampi is one of India’s foremost archaeological treasures and, in turn, also one of Asia’s most compelling ancient settlements. Once the centre of the Vijayanagara Empire, it is commonly accepted that Hampi was established in the 1330s although there is evidence that there were settlements as early as the 4th century AD. Over the following two centuries Hampi flourished under Vijayanagar rule and gained immense wealth through trade in both spices and cotton. In turn, this fortune was reinvested in the city with monumental buildings constructed and important temples raised, making it one of the most important and populous cities in the world at that time. Sacked, destroyed and abandoned by 1565 proof of the city's former greatness is still very much in evidence and despite much of it now largely in ruins Hampi remains an exceptionally impressive site.