Darbhanga is the fifth-largest city and municipal corporation in the Indian state of Bihar situated centrally in the Mithila region. Darbhanga is the headquarters of the Darbhanga district and the Darbhanga division. It was the seat of the erstwhile Khandwala dynasty. It is the proposed capital of Mithila.
Darbhanga is regarded as the cultural capital of the state of Bihar owing to its rich heritage and cultural significance. It is one of the oldest cities in India. Musical, folk art, and literary traditions in Sanskrit and Maithili have been passed down generations in Darbhanga and constitute the city's strong cultural background.
Darbhanga is also the biggest medical and educational hub in northern Bihar/Mithila.