Max Planck and the genesis of the energy quanta in historical context

The German physicist Max Planck (1858-1947) is considered as the founder of quantum mechanics as he had proposed the quantum nature of energy. On 29 November 1937, the German Ministry of External Affairs informed Planck about the travelling possibilities to India. This was in connection with an invitation of the Indian Science Congress Association at its 25th anniversary. The document KultW 17804 II dated 10 December 1937 suggests that Planck declined the invitation as he was too old for such a journey. On the occasion of Planck's 150th birth anniversary, the following note is intended to give a short review about his life, scientific achievements and in particular the genesis of energy quanta hypothesis. Indian scientists came in contact not only with Planck, but also with other European theoretical physicists. In the end a brief review about the development of theoretical physics in India in the first half of the 20th century is given.