The Mandalorians have a long and violent history in Star Wars.
In the eponymously named show and a post-original trilogy era, the Mandalorians have been forced into hiding across the galaxy. What we see in this world is a small clan of Mandalorians lingering in the catacombs of Nevarro. It’s a far cry from what one of the most feared groups of warriors once was. But how did we get here and what does the history of the Mandalorians look like?
To answer that, we have to head all the way back to the Clone Wars and the Republic era. During that time, the Mandalorians dominated the Outer Rim, headed on their homeworld of Mandalore as they colonized surrounding regions.
However, Mandalore has often been characterized by a leadership struggle, resulting in numerous Civil Wars endangering their structure. One such war occurred in 42 BBY and brought Duchess Satine Kryze and the New Mandalorian faction to power. Along with this came an emphasis on peace and neutrality over the planet’s previous militaristic regime.
Clearly, that change in the guard was bound to be met with conflict. Despite the peaceful leadership, extremist factions of the old ways began to fight to restore their home, leading to another Civil War in 19 BBY. This time, bringing back the Old Mandalorians and with it, rule by the Galactic Republic, and then, the Empire. Gar Saxon and the Imperial Super Commandos took over Mandalore as the planet was one of many victims of Imperial rule.
It’s important to recall that Mandalorians are not all united, but rather, divided into multiple different factions. This division would come to the surface under Saxon’s leadership, as rival clans fought to free the planet from the Empire, resulting in another Civil War.
Saxon was ultimately defeated and Sabine of Clan Wren secured the Darksaber, a symbol of power among the Mandalorians. The quest then began to find a rightful ruler. After originally refusing the offer, Bo-Katan Kryze accepted the Darksaber and a a new resistance took shape.
However, just when tides began to turn, the Empire executed the “Great Purge,” a directed attack against Mandalorians across the galaxy. Little is known about what exactly occurred, but years later, the Mandalorian population was dissipated, working in the shadows like that we see in The Mandalorian.
Why does all this matter?
With the history in mind, we need to discuss the implications. Moff Gideon’s possession of the Darksaber has introduced questions of what may have happened to the Mandalorians since we last saw them. Bo-Katan Kryze, Sabine Wren and others are all rumored to make a return in The Mandalorian, potentially helping us explore a bit more of this uncharted time. So we’re poised to find out more about this history very soon!
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