The Deccan region of peninsular India remains one of India's best kept secrets in spite of its numerous, impressive historical monument the rock-cut Buddhist shrines at Karla and Ajanta; the elegant carvings on the Hindu temples at Badami and Aihole; the magnificent ruins of the imperial city of Hampi-Vijayanagara; the imposing forts and tombs at Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur and Golconda; the elegant, European influenced palaces in Hyderabad. These and other monuments survive in a comparatively complete condition, but have until now been underappreciated.