What is the difference between the types of birthcharts?  For example, North, South, East Indian and Western charts. [/img]

All charts are same and tell the same thing - North Indian or South indian.

Just the representation is different.
Not to worry

Follow the south indian style as most of the great astrologers were from South India - and it is easy to understand

[quote="Beliita"]What is the difference between the types of birthcharts?  For example, North, South, East Indian and Western charts. [/img][/quote]

Just the way they are drawn. The northern chart provides a view of the ecliptic (zodiacal belt) from the northern hemisphere (rashis in counterclockwise order whereas southern chart provides a view of the ecliptic from the southern hemisphere (rashis clockwise). The southern chart makes it easier to figure out rashi drishtis. The northern chart makes it easier to see planetary aspects. But really it is a matter of what you become familiar with.

Incidentally, Robert Hand's Project Hindsight found that one of the oldest charts (hundreds of years or probably even older) found in Babylone and Alexandria was drawn very similar to the northern diamond chart. Small world indeed!

East Indian charts are circular (like tropical charts) with ascendant placed at 12 clock position but in some cases at 9 oclock too (identical to tropical charts).