Dantidurga`s uncle, Krishna I (756 - 774) C.E. undertook the authority of the budding Rashtrakuta empire in 757 by overpowering the last king of theChalukyas of Badami Kirtivarman II. The evidence to this has been cited from the copper plate grant of Gujarat Rashtrakuta King Karka from Baroda and King Govinda III of 807. identified as Kannara or Kannesvara, Krishna I also acquired the titles of Shubatunga, Akalavarsha, Shrivallabha and Prithvivallabha. Moreover, he also stood by the renowned Jain logician Akalanka Bhatta, the instigator of Rajavartika. Certain historians also believed that Krishna I seized the throne from his nephew Dantidurga, while others differ as the term "demise of Dantidurga" transpired in the Navasari and Kavi copper plates demonstrating that the emperor might have succeeded to the throne following the demise of Dantidurga.

The king effectively combated the king Sripurusha of the Western Ganga Dynasty and thereby seized certain territory in Shilaharas of south Konkan and Gangavadi (Southern Karnataka). The emperor is also said to have skirmished King Vishnuvardhana IV of the Eastern Chalukya. The Alas writings of 770 also elucidate that the Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora was commissioned during the reign of Krishna II. 18 Shiva temples were erected during his reign. Lately unearthed 1800 coins of the king, are ascribed in the legend Parama Maheshvara, circumstancing his immense devotion to Lord Shiva.