Ngawang Sungrab Thutob (; ) (1874âÂÂ1952) was the third Taktra Rinpoche, (Wylie transliteration: sTag-brag, also Takdrak, Tagdrag, etc.) who assumed the regency of Tibet's de facto state in 1941, after succeeding the fifth Reting Rinpoche, Jamphel Yeshe Gyaltsen. After an alleged attempt to rise a rebellion, Gyaltsen was imprisoned in the Potala Palace, where he died under mysterious circumstances.
State-controlled media in China claims that Thutob was responsible for the death of Jamphel Yeshe Gyaltsen. The 5th Reting Rinpoche was praised as a patriot and devout Buddhist, whereas Ngawang Sungrab Thutob was called a "pro-Britain, pro-slavery separatist." Gyaltsen was responsible for discovering Tenzin Gyatso and enthroning him as the 14th Dalai Lama, and had been the first appointed teacher of 14th Dalai Lama. Following the 5th Reting Rimpoche's regency, the third Taktra Rinpoche became responsible for the raising and education of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The 4th Taktra or Dagzhag (dharma name: Tenzin Geleg; ; ) was born in 1955 (or 1954). He was recognized and named by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1958 (or 1957), about a year before the latter's escape to India.
Even though the 3rd Taktra's negative portrait in China, the 4th Taktra studied under the Chinese curriculum. He became a member of the 6th council of the Buddhist Association of China and the Vice President of Tibetan Sub-Association of Buddhist Association of China. He was quoted by Chinese press to have pejoratively labeled the Dalai Lama's supporters as the "Dalai Group":