A Mandalorian is a member group of armored warrior clans in the Star Wars universe. Originally, the Mandalorian clans were led by the warlord Mandalore, and were ranked amongst the best fighters in the galaxy, thriving for battle. They were known for their use of cutting-edge weaponry, and held to a strict code of honor.

They were frequently allied with the Sith, notably Exar Kun. After their defeat during the Mandalorian War at the hands of the Jedi Revan and Malak, the Mandalorians went into a long decline.

Some one one hundred years before the Battle of Ruusan, the leader of the Mandalorians was assassinated by the bounty hunter Durge. The Mandalorians struck back and inflicted terrible vengenance upon the bounty hunter, but he managed to escape.

Over the next few centuries the Mandalorians slowly transformed into a less-clan based, more mercenary-oriented culture. It was around this time that a schism occurred in their ranks. A violent splinter group, known as the Death Watch, revolted against the leadership of Jaster Mereel, who lead the loyalist faction.

Eventually the civil war between these groups spilled on to the pastoral world of Concord Dawn. Here the Death Watch leader Vizsla attempted to murder Jaster. However, thanks to the assistance of a young orphan named Jango Fett, Jaster and his followers escaped the trap.

Eventually, Viszla caught up to Jaster on a distant world and, thanks to the treachery of fellow Mandalorian Montross, Jaster was killed in battle.

Jaster's protege, Jango, took over the reins of leadership, despite Montross' disparaging comment that it would mean a "child leading them".

Jango's tenure as Mandalorian leader ended at the Battle of Galidran, where a Jedi taskforce under the leadership of Master Dooku led to the death of every Mandalorian, except for Jango.