Correct answer: B. Begum Hazrat Mahal
Explanation: The direct answer is B, Begum Hazrat Mahal. During the Revolt of 1857, Lucknow and much of Awadh were led by Begum Hazrat Mahal, who opposed British control and supported the claim of her son Birjis Qadr. Option A, Rani Lakshmibai, is chiefly associated with leading the revolt in Jhansi. Option B, Begum Hazrat Mahal, is correct for Lucknow. Option C, Kunwar Singh, led resistance mainly in Bihar, especially around Jagdishpur. Option D, Tatya Tope, was a major military leader connected with Kanpur and central Indian campaigns, but he was not the leader identified with Lucknow in this question. The important method is to connect each leader with the main centre: Lucknow with Begum Hazrat Mahal, Jhansi with Lakshmibai, Bihar with Kunwar Singh, and Kanpur with Nana Sahib. Memory cue: “Lucknow’s Begum” points to Begum Hazrat Mahal.