[1] The city was given its present name from its British district collector and municipal commissioner, Alexander John Forbes (1807–1869).

He was also in the team of Commissioner George Yule of Bhagalpur while fighting the rebels of 73rd native infantry.

Forbes founded the Sultanpur estate and a number of indigo factories situated at different places in this district.

Remains of the British premises can be seen at the banks of the famous landlocked water body Sultan Pokhar.

[citation needed] Forbesganj is a Nagar Parishad city in district of Araria, Bihar.

The Forbesganj Nagar Parishad has population of 50,475 of which 26,524 are males while 23,951 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

[citation needed] Forbesganj Municipal Corporation is responsible for maintaining the city's civic infrastructure and carrying out associated administrative duties.

[8] Sub divisional Hospital Forbesganj is located near the Subdivision Office, Forbesganj[9][10] In addition to its role as an educational and administrative place, the economy of this small city is fueled by fertilizer production, rice production, building and construction material supply, and other industry.

Daily bus service is available from the Purnia, Patna, Siliguri, Kolkata, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Birpur, Jogbani, Saharsa, Darbhanga & Muzaffarpur.

On 10 June 1973 a Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter Plane was hijacked en route to Kathmandu from Biratnagar.

Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in the Bihar state's capital city Patna is approximately 300 km.