Yes!
While the Gundabah howdah is the most radical element of the Xaleris military, for many, the defining characteristic of the Xal's forces is its infantry, the infamous Xal phalanx. A massive wall of heavily armored, shielded spearbearing troops, going sixteen men deep at times, for centuries the phalanx was the undenied dominator of the military field. It wasn't until the famed generals Casca Dal'Abdern, Tullus Ar'Berren, and Eryn "Ruby-Eye" Hyst crushed the Xal at Allas Point through the clever use of calvalry, artillery, and flanking maneuvers that its mythic reputation dwindled. As their wars continued, the Xals' refusal to adjust to a more mobile troop, as well as the increasing difficulties of coming up with enough men to form a viable phalanx, saw the steady decline of Xaleris as adventurous military power.
Back at Xaleris proper, however, the Phalanx remained a formidable opponent, especially when added to another consideration--for generations the priestly Order of the Tomb has handled the funeral rights of every dead Xal and slave. Even now they can raise such a force of undead so quickly even the Praes Thanatos is hard-pressed to deal with them--and some say, a little envious...