Use site–form–dynasty–material pairs: Sanchi, Bharhut, Ajanta, Ellora, Mahabalipuram, Gandhara, Mathura and Bodh Gaya. First identify whether a question is about a stupa, chaitya, vihara, rock-cut cave, structural temple or sculpture school.
Core forms
Form
Safe identification
Stupa
Relic mound; anda, harmika, chatra and circumambulatory path are key terms.
Chaitya
Buddhist prayer hall, commonly apsidal with a stupa.
Vihara
Monastic residence; cells around a hall are a useful clue.
Rock-cut
Excavated from living rock, such as many Ajanta/Ellora monuments.
Structural
Built masonry temple, not cut out of rock.
High-value comparison
School/site
Clue
Gandhara
Grey schist; Hellenistic-Roman visual influence.
Mathura
Red spotted sandstone; strong indigenous idiom.
Sanchi
Stupa 1, railings and four toranas; early aniconic Buddhist art.
Ellora
Buddhist, Hindu and Jain sanctuaries; Kailasa is linked with Krishna I.