The East India Company was incorporated on December 31, 1600 by a charter from Queen Elizabeth that gave it a 15-year lifespan and exclusive trading rights to India, Asia, Africa and America. The charter established the company's constitution and allowed it to conduct democratic elections, but had shortcomings as it provided limited legislative powers and did not allow governance of territories. Despite these limitations, this initial charter marked the beginnings of the vast legislative powers the company would accumulate over time.
2. CHARTER OF 1600THE EAST INDIA COMPANY, WITH ITS OFFICIAL TITLE AS “ THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF MERCHANTS OF LONDON TRADING INTO EAST INDIES” WAS INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND ON THE 31ST DECEMBER 1600, BY A CHARTER OF QUEEN ELIZABETH WHICH SETTLED ITS CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND PRIVILEGES.
3. PROVISIONSTHE COMPANY WAS TO HAVE A LIFE SPAN OF 15 YEARS.CHARTER COULD BE REVOKED ALSO ON TWO YEARS’ NOTICE.EXCLUSIVE TRADING RIGHTS TO COMPANY.INDIA, ASIA, AFRICA AND AMERICA FALL WITHIN THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL LIMITS.
4. PROVISIONS CONTD….WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM COMPANY NO BRITISH SUBJECT COULD CARRY ON THE TRADE.UNAUTHORISED TRADERS WERE LIABLE TO FORFEITURE OF SHIPS AND MERCHANDISE.THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY WERE TO BE CONDUCTED ON DEMOCRATIC LINES.
6. SHORTCOMINGSTHE LEGISLATIVE POWERS THUS CONFERRED ON THE COMPANY WAS VERY LIMITED.SERIOUS CRIMES COULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY DEALT WITH.NO POWER TO THE COMPANY FOR GOVERNING ANY TERRITORY.
7. IMPORTANCEDESPITE ITS LIMITED SCOPE THE EARLY GRANT OF LEGISLATIVE POWER TO THE COMPANY IS OF HISTORIC INTEREST.IT IS OUT OF THIS MODEST BEGINNING IN THE YEAR 1600 THAT THE VAST POWERS OF LEGISLATION GREW IN COURSE OF TIME.