In 1819, Rostom, aged 20, joined his cousins, David and Vakhtang, in a revolt against the Russian Empire, which had absorbed Imereti in 1810.
The revolt spread to Guria and Mingrelia, but was squashed by the Russian troops under General Velyaminov by July 1820.
The remaining rebels retreated to the mountains of Racha, where they were finally defeated.
Prince David died on the battlefield and Vakhtang fled to the Ottoman Empire.
[2] Rostom was captured and, together with his family, sent in exile to Russia proper, where he was enlisted as a private in the Sumsky Hussar Regiment.