It comprises 6 Blocks of Araria[1] The headquarter of the subdivision is in Forbesganj town.

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.

Forbes had a bungalow at the same location.

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

[2] Sub divisional Hospital Forbesganj is located near the Subdivision Office, Forbesganj[3][4]