Overview:

The Hutt Empire was a large faction that arose to be a galactic power during the pre-Republic era. The empire, founded by the Hutts, used any economic means to control populations that served under it. It was stationed primarily in the Outer Rim but also covered a portion of the Mid Rim. The Hutts rose to power after the demise of the Rakatan Infinite Empire, which began before the Republic’s formation. However, this power would fade over time, forcing the Hutts to adopt a new way of living known as the kajidic. This style focused on indirect control through commerce and the criminal underworld like the Hutt Cartel. The Crime Lords amongst them maintained their political position so that their underhand trades would go without punishment.

History: The lethal Hutt Empire used economic means to gain galactic dominance, unlike most civilizations that used political and/or military conquest. This allowed the Hutts to thrive between the era of the Infinite Empire and the Galactic Republic. However, this did not mean that the Hutts were incapable of war. 

They were ruthless warriors when needed, enslaving species they found a use for and exterminating those worthless to them. One of the only known species that kept their independence were the Sakiyans, who could win the Hutts’ respect and maintain their independence in exchange for tribute payments. 

War with the Tion: Considerably the greatest expression of Hutt militarism was the war against Xim the Despot, one of the most notorious tyrants during the pre-Republic era. Xim’s empire attempted to overthrow the Hutts and take control of the Si’Klaata Cluster, subsequently resulting in the Xim Wars. However, this soon ended, as the Hutt Empire made a pact with the Nikto, Klatoonians, and Vodrans. The acquisition of this new slave army was the essential piece to the Hutt victory during the Third Battle of Vontor (circa 25,100 BBY), ending in the destruction of Xim’s War-Robots. 

After the Third Battle of Vontor, the Treaty of Vontor was signed, declaring the Hutts as the eternal overlords of the Klatoonians, Vodrans, Nikto, and the Si’Klaata Cluster. Afterward, they launched a planetary assault on the Tionese colonies in the Kiirium Reaches, the assault going on to be named The Devouring. As a result of the assault, the Tionese Empire was obliterated, leaving an uninhabited stretch of space known only as the Ash Worlds. The divide between the Hutts and Tionese would only be made worse in 24,000 BBY when the Galactic Republic employed agents of the Honorable Union of Deservo & Tion to cause trouble in Hutt Space.

Decline and Legacy: After the Hutt Cataclysms War in 15,000 BBY, the Hutt Empire fundamentally collapsed. Alongside the destruction of their homeworld Varl, the Hutts moved to Nal Hutta. All that remained was then known as Hutt Space, with Nal Hutta replacing Varl as the new capital. Under the new leadership of Budhila Hestilic Amura, the Council of Elders was developed, and with it came a new philosophy, Kajidic. This would mediate clan disputes and end the unnecessary conflict, allowing the Hutts to advocate indirect control through commerce and ultimately the criminal underworld, rebranding themselves as the Hutt Cartel. 

The Hutts’ influence lasted until 26 ABY when their territory was demolished by the Yuuzhan Vong Empire amid their extra-galactic invasion. After their defeat in 29 ABY, the over sector had been left in anarchy for 12 years by the Yuuzhan Vong. However, the secure planet of Mulatan in the Bootana Hutta became the domain and third capital of the sector. By the time of 41 ABY, it had mostly recovered and had joined the Confederation. The Hutts would continue to dominate the over sector and beyond, until the time of the New Galactic Empire, led by Darth Krayt.