Which province was called the "nursery of the Bengal Army"?

Awadh

The correct answer is Option (2) → Awadh

Awadh (Oudh) was considered the "nursery of the Bengal Army" primarily due to the significant recruitment of soldiers from this region during the time of the British East India Company.

The large majority of the sepoys of the Bengal Army were recruited from the villages of Awadh and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Many of them were Brahmins or from the “upper” castes. Awadh was, in fact, called the “nursery of the Bengal Army’’.