answers.input_text: short
answers.span_text: 31 December 1600
questions: when did britain set up east indian trading company
name: East India Company
contexts: East India Company ( EIC ) Company flag ( 1801 ) Coat of arms ( 1698 ) Former type Public Industry International trade Fate Dissolved , after being mostly nationalised in 1858 Founded 31 December 1600 Founders John Watts , George White Defunct 1 June 1874 ( 1874 - 06 - 01 ) Headquarters London , England ( Great Britain )