When Kirtivarman II also known as Nripasimha (lion among kings) succeeded Vikramaditya II to the throne in 744, the Chalukyan fortune appeared to be at its best.

The hereditary enemies Pallavas were subdued, the Deccan was under Chalukyan control, and the apparently invincible Muslims were re­pulsed.

Yet within a decade, Kirtivarman lost his glory and the enemy was the rising dynasty of the Rashtrakutas, its energetic chief, Dantidurga, claim­ing a descent from a Chalukyan princess.

Perhaps this fuelled his imperial ambitions and, in ad 754, Dantidurga (after consolidating his po­sition in a greater part of Madhya Pradesh) suddenly attacked Kirtivarman and wrested Maharashtra away from Chalukyan control.

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Left with only Karnataka, Kirtivarman regrouped and in 757 was probably contemplating an attack against the Rashtrakutas when he himself was attacked by Krishna, the successor of Dantidurga.

No more is heard of Kirtivarman and the later Chalukya records admit that the glory was gone with him.