The marble structures of the marvellous memorial park developed to commemorate King Edward VII used to add to the allure of this city of monuments.  But now that structure is just a blur in the memory of the locals, and in its place stands perhaps a monument to our lack of sense of history -- a godown!

The foundation stone for the park was laid in 1913 by Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy of India, on November 2, 1913.

A marble structure bearing the  bust of King Edward VII built in Indo-Islamic style was the centre of attraction for children who used to play in the park. The structure had beautiful fountains and taps on all sides, providing drinking water.

It was also a hangout for young lovers. While for the old, it was a favourite spot to feast on reminiscences, for the tourist it provided a cool refuge from the withering heat of the sun.  The memorial park came to be known in later years as 'Rani Bageecha' (Queen's Park). It was the only place in the heart of the city where children could spend their evenings at play. It was like Lalbagh or Cubbon park in Bangalore. Its  pond had coloured fish, another attraction for the children. The most attractive part of the park was a circular structure covered on all sides with creepers.

But the park was destroyed, like much that was beautiful in Bijapur had been. The government proposed to have a deer park in the place but then changed its mind and wanted to build a Ranga Mandir there. But the chief architect did not approve the site “as it had the queen's park”, and he would take up the project only if the whole park was bulldozed. Now a godown, and not a Ranga Mandir, stands at the spot. Small wonder, the memorial built to Edward VII wears a deserted look.