East India Company
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for East India Company. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
in its original form "The Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading to the East Indies"; so the company is described in its charter, dated Dec. 31, 1600. Afterward, on July 22, 1702, "The United Company of Merchants trading to the East Indies." In 1749 the company plunged into the native wars of the Carnatic, and commenced a career of conquest which placed nearly the whole of India either directly or indirectly under the British rule. The victory of Clive, at Plassy (June une 23, 1757), over Suraj-u Dowla laid the foundations of the Anglo-Indian empire. The rise of such power excited in the home government a desire to reduce it under their control; and when as early as 1769 the company wished the loan of two ships of the line and some frigates, the ministry in granting their request intimated their intention of vesting in the admiral power to treat independently on all maritime affairs. In 1773 the home government claimed that the territorial acquisitions of the company should be transferred after six years' grace to the crown, and change made in the constitution of the company, a Supreme Court of Judicature being also appointed in India. Pitt's act (1784) established a board of control over the directors, which completely destroyed the independence of the latter body. The company's charter was renewed with a few changes in 1793; subsequently at intervals of 20 years. In 1813 they lost the monopoly of the Indian trade, retaining that of China. This last was taken away in 1833. The next renewal, that of 1853, was the last that took place. The Indian mutinies of 1857 and 1858, having discredited the company's administration, its political government was brought to an end on Aug. 13, 1858. On Nov. 1, 1858, a proclamation made at Calcutta announced that Queen Victoria herself assumed the government of India. Finally the East India Stock Redemption Act, passed on May 13, 1873, 1874, at the but not operative till June 1, 1874 latter date, dissolved the company itself.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a name given to various companies chartered by their respective governments to acquire territory and carry on mercantile operations in the East Indies. Most of these companies date from about the time of the discovery of America, or more particularly the discovery in 1498 of the route to India around the Cape of Good Hope . Among the more noted companies were the Portuguese, operating from 1587 to 1640; the Dutch, from 1595 to 1795; the Danish, from 1618 to 1845; and the French, from 1664 to 1769. Nothing said to the contrary, the East India company may be taken to refer to an English company chartered by Queen Elizabeth in 1600. It consisted of 125 stockholders. Its legal name was The Governor and Company of Merchants of London Trading with the East Indies. The operations of this company were extensive and resulted in great financial gain to the merchants of London. Various acts of Parliament permitted the company to assume almost imperial power in the East. Immense territory was acquired. Large armies, both of native and British troops, were kept under pay. Extensive warehouses and wharves were constructed, and a merchant fleet, far surpassing in number the Spanish Armada, was maintained. As the business of the company grew, and the amount of territory increased, the British government found it necessary from time to time to assume control of the company's affairs. Finally it was dissolved, its affairs were wound up, and the commerce of the East Indies thrown open, not only to all British vessels, but to the merchants of all nations. Historically, the company is of great importance, because its projects led to the acquisition of India by the British government, and did more, perhaps, than any other known artificial factor to determine the career of England as the leading commercial nation. See India ; Hastings ; Bombay