Question: when did english merchants form the east india company
Answer: East India Company ( EIC ) Company flag ( 1801 ) Coat of arms ( 1698 ) Former type Public Industry International trade Fate Dissolved Founded 31 December 1600 Founders John Watts , George White Defunct 1 June 1874 ( 1874 - 06 - 01 ) Headquarters London , England ( Great Britain )