Which industries have long been important in Bengaluru?

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Keshava temple — Karnataka Keshava Temple, Somanathapura, Karnataka, India.

For several decades, the economic growth of Bengaluru was based largely on manufacturing industries. While the city has more recently become a global hub for information and communications technology (ICT), various manufacturing sectors have long been important to its economy.1

These industries include:

Federal government-run installations: Aircraft, railway-coach, and machine-tool manufacturing.1
State-owned plants: Production of electrical and telephone equipment, porcelain, and soap.1
Privately owned entities: Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, textiles (specifically silk), radio parts, glassware, leather and footwear, agricultural implements, paper, and watches.1
Specialized goods: Production of sandalwood products and agarbattis (incense sticks).1

Although these manufacturing industries were foundational to the city's development, the rapid expansion of the ICT sector—supported by government subsidies—has contributed to a decline in small- and medium-scale manufacturing in the area.1