Back in 32 BBY, way back on the desert planet of Tatooine, Gardulla the Elder schemed to take over the position of top Hutt crime lord from Jabba Desilijic Tiure by goading her forces into attacking Tusken settlements. Her plan involved her merchants selling outdated weaponry to the Tuskens at inflated prices. However, the Tuskens' Jedi leader, Sharad Hett, who had resided with them for a number of years, discovered Gardulla's scheme.
In response, Sharad Hett and the Tuskens launched a counter-offensive, initially targeting Jawa sandcrawlers and locations where the weapons were being sold, before escalating to larger settlements, such as Anchorhead. During the assault on Anchorhead, a surveyor from the Galactic Republic captured a holographic image of the Tuskens displaying remarkable skill in combat against their opponents. This holo was delivered to the Jedi Council on Coruscant, with the hope that they and the Republic could resolve the escalating conflict.
Upon receiving the holo, Jedi Masters Yoda and Eeth Koth examined it and made a surprising discovery. By zooming in on the Tusken seemingly in charge, they noticed a lightsaber hanging from his belt. Ki-Adi-Mundi arrived to inspect the image and recognized the lightsaber as belonging to Sharad Hett, who had disappeared approximately 15 years prior. While Ki-Adi-Mundi presumed Sharad dead, Yoda and Koth concurred that the Tusken leader was indeed Sharad. The surveyor's report indicated that the Tuskens had transitioned from disorganized skirmishes to coordinated, large-scale assaults with the precision of a trained army. Consequently, the Jedi dispatched Ki-Adi-Mundi to investigate.
Ki-Adi-Mundi arrived and eventually encountered Sharad, attempting to persuade him to return to the Jedi Order, but Sharad refused. Sharad revealed that he had a son and was living among the Tuskens, while still adhering to Jedi principles. Soon after, Ki-Adi-Mundi and Sharad witnessed Gardulla leading a significant force toward the Tusken camp.
Sharad rushed to the aid of his warriors, only to find that Gardulla had set a trap. She had positioned troops on flyers to lure the Tuskens into a confined area. As the Tuskens charged, Gardulla's forces detonated large quantities of explosives, resulting in significant casualties among the Tusken ranks. Sharad then regrouped his forces and launched a counterattack. The ensuing battle saw Sharad's superior tactical knowledge give him an advantage. Gardulla eventually ordered a retreat to Mos Espa, but Sharad jumped onto her flyer and swiftly eliminated her five bodyguards. Meanwhile, Jabba's forces, alerted by Sing, arrived to support Gardulla. Sharad chose not to kill Gardulla, instead standing atop the flyer's railing and directing his troops. This made him a vulnerable target, and Aurra Sing shot him in the arm, wounding him. She then engaged him in lightsaber combat, ultimately stabbed Sharad. Sharad's son, A'Sharad, and Ki-Adi-Mundi arrived, and A'Sharad angrily charged at Sing. He was on the verge of killing her, but Ki-Adi-Mundi intervened, reminding him of the Jedi way. A'Sharad hesitated, giving Sing the opportunity to kick him and escape.
Ultimately, A'Sharad chose to become Ki-Adi-Mundi's Padawan, and the Tuskens suffered a devastating defeat, losing the battle. The death of their leader left the Tuskens disorganized and unable to rebuild their forces. Consequently, the Tuskens retreated to their isolated existence in the Jundland Wastes.