Ahmed b. Umar b. Ali
He took the takhallus of Nizm and the Honorific title of Nadim al Din ( or Nizam al Din).
He was usually called Arudi ( the prosodist ) to distinguish him from other Nizamis.
According to EG Browne Nizami is one of the most interesting and remarkable Persian poets of prose ” one of those who throw most light on the intimate life of Persian and central asian Courts in the 12th century. ”
Nizam was a Court poet to the Ghurid princes for 45 years. Born in the 11th century AD , his only work that has come down to us is the ” Cahar Maktale ” In 1110 AD he was in poverty in Nishapur. He also collected information about Ferdowsi that he put into his book.
Nizams 4 discourses ” Char Maktale ” we
re written in 1156 AD. H
is works consists of 4 divisions each of which deals with one class of men , whom the author regards as indispensible in the service of Kings, secretaries, poets, astrologers, and physicians. Each discourse begins with general considerations , which are followed by anecdotes. The number of anecdotes, about 40, from the most interesting part of the book.
Some give valuable information on the literary and scientific state of Persia of the time.We may say that the 4 discourses and Awfis ” lubab ” are the two old works which deal systematically with Persian poetry. Dawlat Shah made great use of it.
It is to Nizam tht we owe the earliest notice of Ferdowsi and the only contemporary reference to Umar Khaiyyam.