Born to a noble family in the Moscow gubernia, Markov enlisted as a private in the Permsk Infantry Regiment on 16 December 1770, and was made ensign on 29 November 1772. On 29 June 1788 he was promoted to second major, and participated in the Russo-Turkish War, serving under Alexander Suvorov commanding the 2nd line at Kinburn 13 October. He was awarded a golden cross and the Order of St. George (4th class) during the Siege of Ochakov on 11 April 1792, where he was wounded in the head. After recovery he was made a premier major in the Apsheron Infantry Regiment in 1792, serving in the Polish Campaign of 1792-1794 and seeing action at Gorodische, Dubenky, and Praga. In 1796 he participated in the Persian Expedition. Promoted to colonel on 15 April 1798, he was given command of the Tiflis Musketeer Regiment on 27 August 1798. On 7 October 1798 he was promoted Major General, and appointed chief of the Muromansk Infantry Regiment on 8 December.