Prince Alexander of Kartli

Alexander, son of Bakar or Aleksandr Bakarovich Gruzinsky (; 1726–1791) was a Georgian royal prince. Born in Russia into the Mukhrani branch of the Georgian royal dynasty, Alexander is known for his unsuccessful attempt to reclaim the crown of Georgia from his dynastic relatives ruling Eastern Georgia. At the request of Heraclius II, Alexander was deported back to Russia where he was held in confinement by the Russian authorities until his death. In Russia, Alexander bore the surname of Gruzinsky, meaning "Georgian".

Early life and career

Alexander was the son of Bakar of Kartli who had followed his father King Vakhtang VI of Kartli into exile to Russia in 1724. Alexander was born and raised in Russia. After incomplete studies at the Moscow University, he enrolled into the Page Corps and then joined the Imperial Russian army, attaining the rank of a Captain-Poruchik.

Family

Alexander married Princess Daria Aleksandrovna née Menshikova (1747–1817), granddaughter of the once powerful Aleksandr Danilovich Menshikov. They had three sons and two daughters:

Prince Ivane (Ivan Aleksandrovich Gruzinsky), of whom almost nothing is known. Prince Giorgi (Georgy Aleksandrovich Gruzinsky; 1762–1852). He had a daughter named Ana Bagration-Gruzinsky Tolstoy. Prince Aleksandre (Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Gruzinsky; c. 1763–1823), Colonel of the Russian army. He died unmarried. Princess Ana (Anna Aleksandrovna Gruzinskaya; c. 1763–1842). She was married first to Chevalier Alexander De Litzine (1760–1789), without issue, and then to General Prince Boris Andreyevich Galitzine (1766–1822), with eight children. Princess Darejan (Daria Aleksandrovna Gruzinskaya; d. 1796).