Krishna I

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. This is known from the copper plate grant of Emperor Govinda III of 807 and a copper plate grant of the Gujarat Rashtrakuta ruler Karka from Baroda.^[5] 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.

Krishna I
Akalavarsha Shubatunga Prithvivallabha Shrivallabha
Fragment of Old Kannada inscription (765 CE) from Hattimattur of Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna I
2nd Rashtrakuta Emperor
Reign	c. 756 – c. 774 CE
Predecessor	Dantidurga
Successor	Govinda II
Died	c. 774 CE Manyakheta, Rashtrakuta Empire (modern day Karnataka, India)
Issue	Govinda II Dhruva Dharavarsha
Religion	Jainism[1][2] Hinduism[3][4]

Some historians are of the opinion that Krishna I usurped the throne from his nephew Dantidurga.^[6] But others disagree as the term "demise of Dantidurga" occur in the Kavi and Navasari copper plates indicating Krishna I must have ascended the throne after the death of 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.^[7]

He successfully fought the Western Ganga Dynasty King Sripurusha (and acquired some territory in Gangavadi, modern Southern Karnataka) and the Shilaharas of South Konkan. He defeated the Eastern Chalukya ruler Vishnuvardhana IV.^[8] He commissioned 18 Shiva temples.^[3] The Kailasa temple at Ellora is generally attributed to him, based on certain epigraphs.^[9]

His eldest son, Govinda II succeeded him.

Religion

The Nerur copper-plate inscription issued by Krishna I records a royal grant of land to a Jain Acharya Aryanadi. The inscription opens with a description of the king’s genealogy and then notes the donation of a village for the maintenance of a Jain shrine or monk. This inscription is one of the early pieces of epigraphic evidence for Rashtrakuta patronage of Jainism during Krishna I.^[10][11]

He is remembered in Jain tradition as a patron of the eminent Jain logician and philosopher Akalanka, who composed the Rajavartika, a major commentary on the Tattvartha Sutra.^[12][13][14] Epigraphic evidence from his reign shows sustained royal patronage of Jain monks, temples, and scholars across the Deccan.^[15]

Rashtrakuta rulers, despite strong Jain leanings, supported multiple religions including significant support for Hinduism.^{[16][17][18][19]} He is also known for commissioning the monumental Kailasa temple, Ellora, dedicated to Shiva.^[20]