During the British Raj the area was under the administration of a British district collector and municipal commissioner, Alexander John Forbes (1807-1890) of East India Company.

Over time, the name transformed to 'Araria' and the neighbouring subdivision came to be known as 'Forbesganj'.

[2] Araria (Vidhan Sabha constituency) is the assembly constituency representing Araria (community development block).

The same constituency also includes Araria nagar parishad.

[3] Avidur Rahman from Indian National Congress is the MLA elected in the 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election from Araria (Vidhan Sabha constituency).