Krishna I (Kannada: ಅಕಾಲವರ್ಷ ಶುಭತುಂಗ ಕೃಷ್ಣ) (r. 756 – 774 CE), an uncle of Dantidurga, took charge of the growing Rashtrakuta Empire by defeating the last Badami Chalukya emperor Kirtivarman II in 757.

[3] He is also known as Kanhardeva or Kanhesvara and took the titles Akalavarsha, Shubatunga, Prithvivallabha and Shrivallabha.He patronised the famous Jain logician Akalanka Bhatta, the author of Rajavartika.

Some historians are of the opinion that Krishna I usurped the throne from his nephew Dantidurga.

However, from the Baroda inscription it seems that Krishna I may have had to subdue another claimant to the throne, perhaps a Rashtrakuta prince or a son of Dantidurga.

[5] He successfully fought the Western Ganga Dynasty King Sripurusha (and acquired some territory in Gangavadi, modern Southern Karnataka) and the Shilaharas of South Konkan.