 Vakhtang left him in charge of the government of Kartli (eastern Georgia) during his absence at the Safavid court of Persia from September 1716 to August 1719.His position was recognized by the Shah of Persia who invested him, in 1717, with the title of "janishin", a crown, sword, gold insignia, and robe of honor.At the same time, he had to nominally embrace Islam and assumed the name of Shah-Nawaz.