Superseding The Rinpungpa
During the 16th century Tibet was fragmented among rivalling factions, along religious as well as dynastic lines. The old Phagmodrupa dynasty lost any semblance of power after 1564, and its rival Rinpungpa was also unable to achieve unity. Among the religious schools the Karmapa sect competed against the Gelugpa, which was headed by the leader later known as Dalai Lama. According to tradition Karma Tseten obtained a troop of horsemen by altering a document issued by his master the Rinpungpa lord. He then raised the standard of rebellion, in 1557, and managed to supersede the Rinpungpa in 1565. Known as the Depa Tsangpa or Tsang Desi, he became the king of Upper Tsang and allied with the fifth "Red Hat Karmapa" or Shamarpa hierarch of the Karma Kagyu sect, Köncho Yenlak.
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