‘The Mandalorian’: Examining The History Of The Darksaber

The Darksaber, as seen in The Mandalorian, is an iconic weapon in the Star Wars universe, but it’s not one that fans know much about. Introduced in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, the sinister black bladed light saber has a unique and relativity unknown past.

Created by the first and only Mandalorian Jedi Tarre Vizsla in the days of the old republic, the Darksaber is the only known light saber with a black blade. After the death of Tarre Vizsla during the Mandalorian Jedi wars a group of Mandalorians infiltrated the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and stole the Darksaber.

Exploring the history of The Mandalorian’s Darksaber

It is said in the Mandalorian culture whoever wields the Darksaber can reunite all the clans of Mandalore The Great. Many have tried this dangerous and hard quest, and all have failed.

Many from the clans of the Mandalorians have tried to acquire the Darksaber from one another. However, it must be won in trial by combat. The challenger must kill the current wielder of the weapon to gain the right to hold the mighty sword and to lead the clan.

Some previous owners of the Darksaber include Pre Vizsla, a decedent of the legendary,  Tarre Vizsla who used the weapon to rally a group of Mandalorians called Death Watch in order to overthrow Mandalore’s political leader Duchess Satine.

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Pre Vizsla was then defeated on Mandalore by the ex-Sith Lord Darth Maul who became the new leader of Death Watch. The Darksaber was then owned by the Nightsisters of Dathomir. It was then claimed by Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian and member of the Rebel Alliance. She use the saber to rally her people against Viceroy Gar Saxton, the Imperial-appointed ruler of Mandalore. Sabine then bestowed the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, sister of the late Duchess Satine.

Who owns the Darksaber now?

In The Mandalorian Season 2 Moff Gideon implies that he may be responsible for overthrowing Bo-Katan and robbing Mandalore of its rightful ruler. Gideon also hints he was behind the imperial purge of Mandalore. This event caused the death of most of Bo-Katan’s followers and forced the survivors into hiding.

After the Great Purge of Mandalore the Darksaber then fell into the hands of Moff Gideon for the remainder of the Empire’s rule and a short while after it’s fall. Finally in the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian Din Djarin defeated Moff Gideon in combat on his Venator class star destroyer, and is now the current wielder of the Darksaber.

We all now await the release of Season 3 of The Mandalorian. For now Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Disney Plus.