The Darksaber is rapidly becoming one of the most important artifacts in the Star Wars universe due to its inclusion in the story of Din Djarin in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. While this weapon is recently gaining popularity, it has actually been around in Star Wars for quite awhile now. The history of the blade is dark and dangerous at times, but can offer many clues as to where the story of Din Djarin may lead.
The Darksaber was introduced in 2010, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 2, Episode 12, "The Mandalore Plot.
Back then, the Darksaber simply seemed to be a cool variation to a lightsaber; now, though, it has evolved into so much more. The Darksaber was originally made by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian Jedi and founder of House Vizsla. While he wielded the blade it became a symbol of his leadership and power, and he was able to rule Mandalore during this time. When he died, the blade remain locked away in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant until it was liberated by members of House Vizsla during the collapse of the Old Republic. Tarre Vizsla created the Darksaber, and it's presumed he set down the rules that have been followed by Mandalorians to this day.
The Age Of The Republic
After Tarre Vizsla, the next notable person to wield the power of the Darksaber is his descendant Pre Vizsla. Pre Vizsla used his power and influence to lead a group of Mandalorians known as Death Watch, a terrorist organization that used violence and fear to overthrown the rightful government of Mandalore. Pre Vizsla believed that Mandalorians had become weak and needed to return to their warrior roots. It makes perfect sense that Pre Vizsla would be the first character that fans met who used the Darksaber. The saber is all about power through combat and the right to lead. Death Watch wanted the power and had the strength to take it, but they lacked the right to lead.
When Pre Vizsla lost the Darksaber, it was to one of the most powerful characters in Star Wars, Darth Maul. Maul aligned himself with the members of Death Watch, and they helped each other. Death Watch helped Maul take control of the criminal underworld, and his shadow collective helped overthrow the government of Mandalore. Pre Vizsla made one fatal error though, he betrayed and imprisoned Darth Maul. When Maul escaped captivity, he took his revenge on his former ally. He challenged Pre Vizsla for the right to lead Death Watch and consequently possession of the Darksaber. Vizsla fought well against Maul, but in the end he was no match for him. Darth Maul took control of Death Watch and the Darksaber, then executed Pre Vizsla.
The Age Of The Empire
Maul faces many opponents while he's in possession of the Darksaber, including Emperor Palpatine, General Grievous, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. None of these opponents permanently take the saber away from Maul, but eventually he leaves it in the possession of the Nightsisters on his home planet of Dathomir. It's here that the crew of The Ghost find the saber in Star Wars: Rebels. The Darksaber makes its first appearance on the show in Season 3, Episode 11, "Visions and Voices." This episode sees Maul and Ezra Bridger travel to Dathomir. Not trusting Maul, Kanan Jarrus and Sabine Wren follow them. There are many fights on the planet, and Maul escapes from them, but before the episode ends, Sabine finds the Darksaber and takes it with her. This is the first time since Pre Vizsla that the Darksaber has been in the possession of a Mandalorian.
Sabine wanted nothing to do with the responsibility of the Darksaber. But she was convinced by Fenn Rau, a fellow Mandalorian, Kanan and Hera Syndulla that she should learn how to wield the weapon. Sabine was incredibly reluctant to learn, fearing the responsibility that came with the Darksaber. This is because Sabine feels like she betrayed her people by helping the Empire build a weapon that could destroy them. When she first began training with the Darksaber, it was heavy and almost fought against her control. Once she had mastered her emotions and faced her fears, she was proven worthy and could then wield it with ease.
The Age Of The New Republic
Sabine used the Darksaber to liberate Mandalore and its people from Imperial control. She destroyed the weapon she helped to create, and brought down the Empire's Mandalorian puppet Tiber Saxon. After working with her family and Bo-Katan Kryze to accomplish all this, she convinces Bo-Katan to take the saber from her and lead Mandalore. Up until this point, all the wielders of the Darksaber had proven themselves worthy of the blade. Pre Vizsla fought and won against many opponents, Maul defeated Pre Vizsla for the honor, and Sabine had fought Gar Saxon and took the Darksaber back from him, making her worthy of leading. Bo-Katan simply accepted blade, with no trial by combat to earn it.
Because of this, many Mandalorians believe her to be cursed. When the Empire came to purge the Mandalorians, the planet fell under its leadership, and the Darksaber was taken from Bo-Katan by Moff Gideon. Bo-Katan is hunting Moff Gideon, eager to take the Darksaber back from him and earn her right to lead. But Din Djarin ends up being the one to defeat Moff Gideon and becomes the new rightful ruler of Mandalore. When Din returns to the Children of the Watch, he is immediately challenged to a duel by Paz Vizsla, claiming the Darksaber is his birthright as a member of House Vizsla. Din Djarin defeats him, but is then exiled from his tribe for removing his helmet.
The Darksaber's history is full of violence, betrayal, and murder, but without it as a symbol, Mandalore and its people may never be restored to their original strength. Many fans are anticipating that the saga of the Darksaber will be further explored in The Mandalorian Season 3.