Bothawui was an asteroid field–ringed gas giant located in the Bothan Space region of the galaxy's Mid Rim. Bothawui was considered to be strategically important during the Clone Wars, leading to it being the site of a battle between Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and General Grievous that halted a Separatist advance. Later in the war, around the time the Galactic Republic suffered a loss on Ryloth, Bothawui hosted another battle, though this engagement ended with many Republic losses.
Several of the individuals who taught the human Wilhuff Tarkin to fly starships originated on this world, despite the great distance between the world and the planet Eriadu where Tarkin lived. Many years later, Imperial resources were redirected from Bothawui by the Imperial Navy to help deal with Tarkin's corvette, Carrion Spike, after it was stolen by dissidents.