His progeny subsequently flourished in the Russian Empire, producing several notable figures of the 19th century, among them General Pyotr Bagration of the Napoleonic Wars fame.

Alexander was born in Safavid Iran as a Muslim,[citation needed] and was called Ishaq Beg.

He was soon removed from the office by his cousin Teimuraz II, of the rival Bagrationi branch from Kakheti, who became king of Kartli in 1744.

In 1750, he converted to Christianity, baptized with the name Alexander and received a fief in Kvemo Kartli.

He entered the Russian military service and first joined a garrison at Astrakhan and then, in 1761, the Georgian squadron in Kizlyar in the ranks of podpolkovnik.