The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC in old Dutch spelling, literally means “United East Indian Company”) was established in 1602 when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia. It was the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock. Facing the Parade Ground is this large wooden gate with the initials ‘VOC’ carved onto it representing the monogram of the once mighty Dutch East India Company. The inscription also indicates that it was built in the year 1740. The current owners are Matheson Bosanquet Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. headquartered in Bangalore and Mr. Abishek Poddar.