The Jedi Order was a monastic peacekeeping order centered around the use of the light side of the Force to serve as the protectors of the galaxy; the mandate of the Jedi was to serve as the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, particularly the Galactic Republic. Around 19 BBY, the Jedi Order collapsed, as did the Republic, when the Galactic Empire came to power. Jedi were forced to hide throughout the galaxy; Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, operating under the pseudonym Ben Kenobi, was one such Jedi.