Timeline of EIC By JJ F 1498 The first direct sea trade 1498 Period: 1498 to 1498 The first direct sea trade route from Europe to Asia was established in 1498 1600 the year 1611 company first factory 1600 on the last day of 1600 the royal charter sole the trade Period: 1600 to 1600 On the very last day of 1600, Queen Anne 1 granted a royal charter to some London merchants to have sole ownership of trade with the East Indies. Period: 1611 to 1611 the year 1611, the British East India Company established its first factory post 1670 company receiving freedom to entity act free in 1670 act of granted by king charles 2 Period: 1670 to 1670 company receiving freedom to act as a free entity in 1670. The act granted by King Charles II gave the EIC the power to colonize territories,