The discovery and archaeological study of Chandraketugarh, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Kolkata, provide evidence that the region in which the city stands has been inhabited for over two millennia.[28][29] Kolkata's recorded history began in 1690 with the arrival of the English East India Company, which was consolidating its trade business in Bengal. Job Charnock, an administrator who worked for the company, was formerly credited as the founder of the city;[30] In response to a public petition,[31] the Calcutta High Court ruled in 2003 that the city does not have a founder.[32] The area occupied by the present-day city encompassed three villages: Kalikata, Gobindapur and Sutanuti.