Hakim Nizam al-Din Ahmad Gilan, born in Gilan in 1586 A.D. was the son of Abdullah al-Sadidi al-Shirazi. He learnt medicine and other sciences with Mir Muhammad Baqar Damad and the famous theologian Shaykh Baha al-Din Muhammad Amuli. The Hakim worked for the ruler of Gilan for some time. Later during the reign of Shah Jahan he arrived in India. Upon his arrival he entered the service of Mahabat` Khan, the then supreme commander of imperial forces. His skills and expertise earned great respect and love from the king. He developed close relations with Mahabat Khan and accompanied the monarch on various expeditions. It is said that he accompanied Mahabat Khan for the conquest of Daulatabad. For almost three months the fortress was well guarded against the imperial forces but later it could not withstand the strategy devised by Hakim Nizam al-Din and well into the hands of the enemy forces. Mahabat Khan, vexed by the defeat, burnt his library. The Hakim, dejected and depressed decided to return to his native town Gilan. He shifted his abode to Machhi Bandar in Karachi. Soon the Hakim received the invitation message from Abdullah Qutb Shah, the ruler of Bijapur. The later invited him to his court. Upon receiving words from the envoy, he went to Golcunda.

Works of Hakim Nizam al-Din Ahmad Gilan
Hakim Nizam al-Din Ahmad Gilan has authored several books. He is known to have pen down books on almost all subjects that includes philosophy, logic, poetry, literature, natural sciences, religion and medicine. His writings were compiled in two books Shyra-i Danish and Auraq-i-Danish wa Binish or Majmua-i Hakim al-Mulk. These books have been written in both Persian and Arabic languages in the early period of his life. Another noteworthy work of the Hakim is the Hadiqat al-Salatin. The book reflects the history of Qutb Shahi dynasty written in Persian language. Four manuscripts of this book are still extant in the British Museum, India Office Library at London and office of the Archaeological Department, New Delhi.

Hakim Nizam al-Din Ahmad Gilan was also an expert architect and town planner. He is known to have built a locality known as Hakim pat (now Hakimpet). The locality, a living memory of his art, is at a magnificent mountain resort built in the northern part of Golcunda fort. He also built a castle called Qasr-i Jabal on the hill top. Ahmad Gilan had named it as Jabal-i nur (Mountain of Light). The castle depicts an amalgamation of Iranian and Indian architecture.

Hakim Nizam al-Din Ahmad Gilan, a renowned author, expert physician and a distinguished architect died in 1649 A.D. in Golcunda.