Kirtivarman I (c. AD 567-97) succeeded Pulakesin, being the elder of Pulakesin’s two sons. His brother, Mangalesa, appears to have been his stepbrother.
He strengthened the fort of Vatapi and expnaded his kingdom by defeating the Nalas of Bastar, the Mauryas of Konkan and the Kadambas of Banavasi.
He claimed to have conquered distant places like Bengal and Bihar in the north and the Chola and the Pandyan kingdoms in the south, but this is not supported by any historical evidence.
The Konkan victory, however, secured him the port of Goa (Revatidvipa), and a member of the royal family Dhruvaraja Indravarman was appointed governor. Like his father, he also performed Vedic sacrifices like Agnishtoma and Dahusuvarna.
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He constructed a beautiful cave temple for Vishnu at Badami. He died leaving three sons, Pulakesin, Vishnuvardhana and Jayasimha.