Comoros Colonial Records

Portuguese, British, and Dutch Influence
The first known Europeans to visit the Comoros Islands were the Portuguese in 1505. In the 17th century, the island of Ndzwani became a major supply point for ships heading east. Until the French colonization, European influence in the Comoros Islands was predominantly Portuguese, British, and Dutch. From 25 September 1942-13 October 1946, during World War II, the islands were under British occupation.

French Colonization (1841-1978)
France purchased the island of Maore "Mayotte" in 1841, and it was ratified a colony in 1843. In 1886, an agreement was signed between the French government and the Sultan of Bambao, making the islands of Ngazidja, Ndzwani, and Mwali protectorates. In 1908, Mayotte was declared a single colony and the other islands as dependencies. They were annexed as a province of Madagascar in 1912. Following British occupation during World War II, the Comoros Islands were administered separately from Madagascar, and became an overseas territory of France. In 1975 three of the islands became independent from France.