Which of the following particularly inflamed the public demands in Br…

The correct answer is Option (2) → Tales of violence against women and children

Option (1) Reports of the rebel siege of the Lucknow Residency — Incorrect. The siege of the Residency later became a British story of survival, heroic resistance and the final triumph of British power. The cry for revenge came from tales of violence against women and children.

Option (2) Tales of violence against women and children — Correct. Newspaper reports of violence against women and children shaped feelings in Britain. People asked the government to protect the honour of women and the safety of children, and demanded revenge.

Option (3) News of the killing of Henry Lawrence at Lucknow — Incorrect. Henry Lawrence, the Commissioner of Lucknow, was killed during the siege. The public demand for revenge grew from tales of violence against women and children.

Option (4) Accounts of the fall of Delhi to the rebel sepoys — Incorrect. Delhi did fall to the rebels, but the public anger in Britain was fed most by tales of violence against women and children.