Georgia

In the second half of XVII century princes Babadishi have moved away from Bagrationi dynasty of Kakheti kingdom. The founder of their kin was the grandson of the king of Kakheti Teimuraz I – the younger son of Prince David, Joseph (Ioseb) Bagrationi. His elder brother Erekle I was the king of Kartli and Kakheti. In the document presented by the princes Babadishi to Tbilisi Assembly of Princes and Noblemen in 1820 Joseph (Ioseb) is named as the founder of their family. Historian Prince John (Ioann) Bagrationi in his work “Brief Description of the families of Princes and Noblemen living in Georgia” writes about Babadishi family: “Their ancestor is from Bagrationi successor family of Iman Kuli”. However, Prince John (Ioann) is mistaking the ancestor of Babadishi family Iman Kuli for the king of Kakheti David II, who bore the Muslim name Imam-Kuli-Khan.

In the 20-40-ies of the XVIII century the representative of princes Babadishi family Joseph Giorgi Bagrationi (Babadishi) has distinguished himself at the diplomatic service of Kakheti kings. Joseph Giorgi Bagrationi (Babadishi) was the Ambassador to Russia of the kings of Kakheti Constantine II, Alexander III and Teimuraz II. In the Russian Empire he was known as “ Prince Joseph Bagration of Kakheti”. In one of his credentials, it is written that he is “Prince of Kakheti and comes from the Bagrationi royal family”. In the index of princes and noblemen of Kartli and Kakheti of the year 1783, which King Erekle II has presented to the Russian Government, “Prince Babadisshvili” is named among princes of Kakheti. After the abolition of Kartli-Kakheti kingdom, the Senate of the Russian Empire has confirmed the Babadishi family in their princely title.

The origin of the Babadishi from the royal dynasty of Bagrationi is also evident from their family emblem, on which there are images of: 1. royal scepter and sphere, 2. lyre and bear-spear of the Biblical King David, 3. cannon and 4. lamb.