the park dates to 1867 to 1868, founded as fytche square in honour of the then chief commissioner of british burma, albert fytche. the site was previously a vacant, swampy site originally known as tank square, which was cleared and laid out as a public recreation ground. a white marble statue of queen victoria was placed in the center of the park in 1896, gifted by a wealthy armenian firm in rangoon. after 1935, the park was renamed bandula square, reflecting rising nationalist sentiment.