In the expansive universe of Star Wars, many characters have left a mark on the galaxy. The Jedi Order, in particular, consists of personalities who have dedicated their lives to ensuring peace and prosperity.

Since ancient times, the Jedi have been regarded as the guardians of justice, born to fight the merciless Sith Lords. Characters like Master Yoda, Master Obi-Wan-Kenobi, and Luke Skywalker are examples of warriors who were committed to prolonging the Jedi legacy. 

Mace Windu is another prominent example and holds a special place among the greatest Jedi Masters. A strong-headed and passionate individual, Windu had an eye for sensing evil and was an excellent mentor. His quick rise to the top of the Order signifies his importance and stature in the light side of the Force.

Let's take a look at the story of one of the finest warriors and leaders of the Jedi.

Who is Mace Windu?

Born on Haruun Kal, Mace Windu originally belonged to the Ghôsh Windu tribe. The members of the planet, Korunnai, were once known for their strong connection to the Force. Hence, the Jedi took an interest and visited the area to look for young prospects. 

They took permission from the Korun community to take a child back with them in hopes of restoring the once formidable force connection. Fortunately for Mace Windu, the Jedi took him back to their headquarters and started to train him. 

As expected, Windu was a natural at mastering Force abilities. He was trained under the supervision of Master Yoda, who immediately recognized the potential in the youngling. He was at the top of his class and quickly adjusted to new challenges. Interestingly, his only concern during his journey to become a Jedi was his inability to construct a lightsaber.

However, he eventually overcame the challenge after being sent to retrieve crystals from the Hurikane planet. He was confronted by the natives and gained their trust and a gift in the form of a purple crystal. The crystal helped him construct his famous purple lightsaber.

During his Jedi training, he became a Padawan of Master Cyslin Myr. The Jedi Master welcomed the challenge of training a talented individual like Windu. She was adamant about helping the young Jedi to control his emotions and utilize his strengths. Master Myr and Yoda were quite influential in developing his character as he went on to become a capable Jedi Master.

Early Rise

The rise of Mace Windu was not much of a surprise for those around him. His raw Force power and lightsaber skills already set him apart. His commitment to overtaking challenges resulted in his gaining early knighthood.

Master Yoda entrusted him to take on various missions such as the retrieval of Coxium Ultra and the stolen skeleton keys. He successfully investigated Mattis Cotto and salvaged useful information about the skeleton keys. Furthermore, he demonstrated his superior demonstration skills with Azita Cruuz to reclaim the Coxium Ultra and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

Moreover, he underwent an important mission with Count Dooku to investigate the murder of Jedi Master Katri. The mission didn’t last long as Windu and Dooku found the true culprits. During the whole conflict, Windu showed patience and justice, following the Council’s instructions to detail.

His exemplary display and problem-solving skills earned him the title of a Jedi Master and a seat in the Jedi High Council. 

Further Conflicts and Realizations

While Mace Windu’s ascent to the seat in the Council wasn’t much of a hurdle, his life after gaining it was a challenge.

The ace Jedi master encountered numerous conflicts, actively participating in leading the Jedi to victory. He was influential in most decisions alongside Master Yoda, who admired his companion for his dedication. 

Some of his popular confrontations include the Ontotho Uprising, where he uncovered Daa Corporation’s corruption. During the Invasion of Naboo, he and the council were informed of two significant discoveries by Master Jinn. The first revelation was the return of the Sith, and the second one highlighted the arrival of the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker.

While Windu didn’t put much thought into the Sith, he still wanted concrete evidence. On the other hand, he doubted Anakin Skywalker’s temperament. While there weren't any doubts about Skywalker’s Force abilities, Windu wasn’t convinced of his character.

Therefore, he passed on the chance to train the prodigy and entrusted the responsibility to Master Kenobi. 

As a Council member, the Separatist Crisis came to life, led by his former friend and newly denounced Jedi, Count Dooku. The group was keen on making things difficult for the Jedi Order, like the assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala. 

The events at Naboo led Yoda and Windu to realize that the crisis came from another source. Upon investigating, they were informed of the presence of the Sith and realized the Jedi Order’s vulnerability in safeguarding the galaxy.

The Separatist army did not make things easier. Their troops covered almost the entire Outer Rim, sensing the weakness of Jedi troops. The Battle of Geonosis was a learning lesson for the Jedi, who suffered many casualties. The droids were a heavy challenge and highlighted the light side’s weakness for the Separatist army led by Dooku.

In response, the Jedi started a series of carefully thought-out confrontations, such as the Hissrich mission to weaken the enemy’s link. The Jedi gained the upper hand after successfully rescuing Rotta, the son of Jabba Desilijic Tiure. 

The Separatists initially kidnapped Rotta, and the Jedi saw it as an opportunity to gain a valuable ally. In return, Jabba helped Windu and his troops free Teth and adjoining areas of any Separatist forces. 

However, it was not the end of the enemy, as the events of the Clone Wars were just the beginning. There were further confrontations, such as the Battles of Malastare and Dantooine, where the Separatists tried to infiltrate the Jedi forces. But the Jedi, under guidance from Mace Windu and Master Yoda, demonstrated resistance and bravery.

Despite their greatest efforts, the order could not prevail. The Council was unaware of Palpatine’s true identity as Darth Sidious. The councillor played a huge role in shaping the events. His decisions for the Jedi Order were anything but suspicious.

Upon discovering Palpatine’s true face, Windu and the rest of the Jedi were left devastated. However, there was another betrayal at the hands of Anakin Skywalker. The Chosen One sided with Darth Sidious, slicing Windu’s arm off and letting the Dark Lord kill the ace Jedi Master for good.

Mace Windu’s Powers and Abilities

Regarded as the ‘Champion of the Order,’ Mace Windu was an exceptionally talented Force individual. The ability to sense shatter points, perform battle meditation, and predict the future with the Force were some of his notable Force powers.

Furthermore, he was proficient in telekinesis for both offensive and defensive situations. He could also assert his influence over weak-minded individuals by using force.

Besides having premium Force abilities, Windu was also a highly respected warrior. He possessed a natural liking for lightsabers and was very skilled in most combat forms. He was especially acquainted with Form I combat as he preferred a defensive approach. His fighting style demanded more from his enemies as he exercised patience and intelligence when indulging in combat. 

His accolades and skillset with a lightsaber made him the most skilled duelist in the galaxy in the opinion of the Sith.

Legacy

Mace Windu is regarded among the finest leaders of the Jedi Order. Hailing from a harsh world, Windu created a large impact on the events of the galaxy.

His legacy is defined by his countless contributions to bringing justice and peace to the region. His wisdom, intelligence, and skills were crucial for the Jedi to survive the Separatist campaign. Windu was a constant figure in many confrontations against the Sith and their allied forces.

He uncovered the Sith propaganda and was the closest to ending Darth Sidious until Anakin Skywalker stopped him. While his qualities of blind faith and belief resulted in his death, he set an example for many young Jedi to follow.

Conclusion

There are very few Jedi masters that compare to the stature of Mace Windu in the Order. He was the second in line after Master Yoda and made numerous contributions to the Jedi Order.

His foresight and wisdom were key to the survival of the Jedi Order. Considering the turn of events, it would be fair to assume that Mace Windu’s efforts were significant for the Jedi order to maintain its ground during its struggle against the menacing Sith Lords.