The basic social unit was the semi-autonomous "ulus" or band. Aristocrats were called "mirza". The ruler of the Nogays was the Bey. The capital or winter camp was at Saraychik, a caravan town on the lower Yaik. From 1537 the second in rank was the "Nur-al-Din", usually the Bey's son or younger brother and expected successor. The "Nur-al-Din" held the right bank along the Volga. From the 1560s there was a second "Nur-al-Din", a sort of a war chief. Third in rank was the "Keikuvat", who held the Emba.