Sundari was the domed capital city of the planet Mandalore. The city was situated in the deserts of Mandalore and was enclosed by a bio-dome that allowed the city to exist on the harsh planet, which had been rendered a desert after years of Mandalorian wars. During the reign of the pacifist New Mandalorian government, led by Duchess Satine Kryze, the city was the site of multiple attacks by the splinter faction known as Death Watch. They eventually took over the city during the Clone Wars in an effort to restore Mandalore to its warrior past. Shortly thereafter, it was the site of a civil war between different Death Watch factions, who were fighting as a result of the rogue Sith Lord Maul's takeover of Death Watch.
After being the center of the Galactic Empire's occupation of Mandalore, Sundari was destroyed in the Night of a Thousand Tears.
The domed city of Sundari
Situated in a desert, Sundari was a massive bio-cube city, and the capital city of the New Mandalorians. Sundari enclosed one of Mandalore's largest active mines of beskar within its outer walls, providing the city with valuable resources and a major strategic asset. The entrance to these mines were located below the Civic Center in the capital city, Sundari. Below the Mines of Mandalore were the Living Waters. According to the Mandalorian Creed, a Mandalorian who took off their helmet could seek atonement by bathing in the Living Waters.
Within the dome, Sundari was a multilevel city with individual towering structures made of permacrete and transparisteel. It was a shimmering example of the unique translucent architectural style prevalent on Mandalore. Transparent and translucent panels and windows were extremely common features, often arranged in geometric patterns. Many bridges and floors were also transparent, making it possible to see up and down through the buildings and other structures as much as through any window.
Duchess Satine Kryze ruled Mandalore from Sundari during the beginning of the war
In 21 BBY, during the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was sent to Sundari. He investigated rumors about the New Mandalorians' leader, Duchess Satine Kryze, leading Mandalore in joining the Confederacy of Independent Systems following an attack on a Republic cruiser. The Duchess informed Kenobi that a movement called the Death Watch was behind the attack and in collaboration with the Separatists. Death Watch then staged a bombing on the Peace Park's Memorial Shrine. Kenobi found the bomber, but the bomber chose to jump to his death.
A parade was held to honor the arrival of Naboo's Senator, Padmé Amidala. During this time, several Moogan smugglers brought in Ardees Beverage tea. The smugglers inadvertently diluted and poisoned the tea with slabin resulting in an outbreak of illness among schoolchildren across the planet. Fortunately, Amidala, Kryze and her bodyguards put an end to this smuggling ring. After it was discovered that Mandalore's prime minister, Almec and the secret service were behind the smuggling, he was arrested by Kryze, Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, and Korkie Kryze's fellow cadets.
Sundari was later chosen as a neutral location for negotiations between the Republic and the Confederacy. However, it came to an end when Tano rescued former Onderon Senator Lux Bonteri from Dooku's executioners. A firefight broke between the commando droids and Captain Taggart's Senate Guards.
Death Watch successfully overthrew the pacifist regime
After the former Sith apprentice Maul was rescued by his brother Savage Opress and healed by Mother Talzin, the two renegade Sith brothers eventually set their eyes on Mandalore, assembling the Shadow Collective, which included allies such as Black Sun, the Pyke Syndicate, and most importantly, Pre Vizsla and Death Watch. Maul devised a plan to conquer Mandalore, invading Sundari with their criminal forces and staging Death Watch soldiers to liberate them, turning what was once a terrorist group in the eyes of the public into their liberators. Vizsla would ascend to Mandalore's ruler before he was slain by Maul in single combat, who claimed the Darksaber and installed the formerly disgraced prime minister Almec as the public figurehead of his reign.
Maul also executed Duchess Satine. However, when he was defeated by Darth Sidious, who viewed Maul as a significant threat, Almec retained his power over Sundari and Mandalore. Maul would later be rescued by Gar Saxon and Rook Kast from prison on Stygeon Prime, and, after re-gathering his allies, returned to Sundari, which he used as his base of operations to execute his machinations across the galaxy.
Maul's forces fighting the 332nd in the center of the city
Eventually, Bo-Katan Kryze, a former Death Watch lieutenant who left the group after Maul's takeover, recruited Galactic Republic forces to assist her in ousting Maul. Joined by former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, recently promoted Clone Commander Rex, and the 332nd Division, their forces landed at Sundari and engaged in a bloody battle against Maul and his Mandalorian super commandos. Maul's forces would be beaten back, but Maul, sensing the impending chaos that would be set upon the galaxy, attempted one last act, luring Tano to the Sundari palace in an attempt to recruit her to his side and stop the violence he foresaw. However, Tano refused to join him, and she defeated him in a duel and captured him as Maul's remaining forces were defeated in the city.
Republic forces remained in Sundari after the battle was over, and after Order 66 and the proclamation of the new Galactic Empire, Sundari was occupied by the new regime.
Sundari during the Imperial Era
During the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire, Imperial Governor Tiber Saxon had his command ship above Sundari during a civil war. The ship was destroyed by Rebel forces that were allied with Clan Kryze and Clan Wren.
Various Mandalorian clans banded together to fight the Empire as the Mandalorian resistance. Understanding that they would be unable to control Mandalore, the Empire launched the Great Purge of Mandalore against the Mandalorians. During the Night of a Thousand Tears, flights of TIE/sa bombers bombed the domed cities on Mandalore, including Sundari, while KX-series security droids and probe droids scoured the urban wrecks to kill any survivors.
Sundari after the Purge
Around 9 ABY, the Mandalorian bounty hunter, Din Djarin and Grogu landed outside of Sundari's ruins. Djarin and R5-D4 were attacked by Alamites who had moved into the ruins.
- LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Carving Up the Competition"